Spring is here, which means it is officially the end of salty roads and muddy snow! After a long winter, your car has likely accumulated a lot of dirt, grime, and salt, and the time is ripe for you to wash away the evidence of winter. If you are ready to get your car back to a state of sparkling clean, you are probably getting ready for a good spring car wash. But wait! Before you go filling a bucket with water and grabbing your massive sponge, we’ve got good news.

Visiting a car wash is faster, easier, and better for the environment than washing your car at home! Many well-intentioned car owners take on the job of washing their car at home, thinking it will save on water and be better for the environment. In truth, commercial car washes use far less water than home car washes and pose less risk of leaching chemicals to nearby groundwater supplies.

Did you know…

• Commercial car washes use around 45 gallons of water per car; a home car wash uses between 80 and 140 gallons per car
• Soapy runoff from home car washes can soak into the ground, potentially poisoning plants, wildlife, and soil
• Many commercial car wash services send their soapy water to treatment facilities to be cleansed before being put back in rivers and streams