We all love hitting the streets with a clean, gleaming car. However, for many people, being eco-friendly is just as important, which might be why they don’t wash their cars very often. Luckily, you can have your cake and eat it too: having a clean car doesn’t mean you need to waste water and energy.
It’s appropriate and responsible that we are wary of how much water is wasted while cleaning a car and concerned about chemicals left in the waste water, which then drains into the local environment. Here at Dropless, we have the definitive guide on how you can get your car back to looking like it did the day you bought it whilst staying clean and green.
The Downsides of the Traditional Car Wash
On average, over 160 litres of water are wasted in a traditional car wash. If each car in London was washed just once in 2018, that would be over 429 million litres of water wasted. Many people in developing nations that suffer from droughts would find Londoners’ methods a little strange. Our good friends at WATERisLIFE can tell you more about how far that water would stretch and the lives it could save.
There are also over 20,000 unregulated car washes across the UK causing huge damage to the country’s water systems. Toxic chemicals and oils are being drained without any proper disposal, polluting water reserves across the country.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom! Eco-friendly waterless car washes have been developed for this exact reason, and most of the tools you need to have one at home can be ordered on Amazon or picked up at your local car accessory store.
Those who have the time to clean their car themselves can give our guide a try and see how our tips and tricks not only make car cleaning easier, but provide a much more effective finish. If you don’t have the time to clean your own car – or just have better things to do! – get in touch with our team of waterless clean experts and let us do the dirty work for you (pun intended).
What Do I Need for an Eco-Friendly Waterless Car Wash?
You will need the following waterless car wash products:
- 1x waterless nano solution, preferably containing carnauba wax, one of the world’s hardest natural protective waxes
- 6x clean microfibre towels or cloths
- 1x waterless alloy cleaner
- 1x bottle of tyre dressing
TIP FROM THE DROPLESS EXPERTS: King of Sheen and Greased Lightning are some of our favourite waterless nano solutions.
How to Do a Waterless Car Wash at Home in Six Easy Steps
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Apply the nano waterless solution to your car
Make sure you get an even spray across the car’s surface and leave the solution to work for 30 seconds. This gives it time to liquify the dirt and lift it from the surface. Be sure to spray the car section by section to avoid missing any areas, and work from top to bottom. The last thing you want is drips ruining your work!
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Remove the dirt with microfibre cloths or microfibre towels
Fold the cloth or towel and roll your hand back and forth as you remove the dirt from the car. This helps stop the dirt particles from leaving any marks. Move the cloth in straight lines rather than circles, as this can cause swirl marks. Reapply the spray to any areas where further cleaning is needed and repeat.
Check out the video below to see the Dropless cleaners in action for a demonstration of the proper technique.
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Buff the surface with a clean microfibre cloth or microfibre towel
Lightly apply pressure and buff the surface of the car with the microfibre towel or cloth to remove any additional solution and activate the carnauba wax. This will give your car a glossy, clean, highly polished and waxed finish and a layer of water repellent, and prevent any dirt build ups or water spotting in the future.
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Apply alloy cleaner to the alloy wheels and any dirt on the tyres
Following the same cleaning process as outlined above, remove any dirt and dust using a microfibre towel or cloth, and then wipe again with a clean towel for the best finish.
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Apply tyre dressing
Lightly spray the tyre dressing on the rubber and remove any spray that may have gotten onto the alloy. It will look white at first, but will turn black with time. Allow it to dry on the tyre.
TIP FROM THE DROPLESS EXPERTS: Spray the tyre dressing directly onto a towel or cloth and apply to any rubber or plastic trim to make sure you get the best matte finish.
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Enjoy!
You should now have a fully clean, waxed, protected and great looking car. Plus, you can feel good knowing you’ve cleaned it in a manner that doesn’t harm the environment!
Dropless: The Best Waterless Car Wash
Here at Dropless, we pride ourselves on being experts when it comes to waterless washes. We’re digital, so you can easily book us wherever you are. We’re sustainable, so you know a car wash and wax with us is eco-friendly. And we’re mobile, so we’ll bring the waterless car wash to you – who said car care couldn’t come straight to your front door?
If you have any questions about how to get the best from your at-home waterless car wash, want to discuss car cleaning techniques or would like to book your next waterless wash with us, please get in touch.
We can’t wait to hear from you. In the meantime, happy cleaning, everyone!