Having a clean car obviously keeps the car looking newer longer. But there are other, more technical reasons to keep one’s car clean. Dust, sand, salt in the winter – all of these are miniscule, abrasive particles that attach themselves to the paint and finish. If one’s car is not washed on a regular basis, these particles can literally scratch the finish of the car. Some substances such as bird droppings or tree sap can even eat through the clear coat, leaving the finish unprotected and vulnerable to additional wear and tear.

Most people claim to wash their car more than once a month. Ultimately, keeping the exterior of one’s car clean not only makes the car look nicer and keeps it looking newer; it also protects it from real damage that can be done over time.

What is the best way to wash one’s car? There are really two options for washing one’s car – doing it at home or taking it to a professional car wash center – whether it is self-serve or automatic. Most people think the way to give their car the best wash possible is the “old-fashioned” way – in the driveway, at home. And while that can prove to be a fun afternoon activity, it can actually be quite harmful to both the car and the environment. However, taking one’s car to a professional carwash can ensure a safe and thorough cleaning as well as provide the means to protect the environment around us.

If we use everyday towels or rags from around one’s home to wash and dry their car, we are not aware of the fact that there is a definite chance that the finish of the car will get damaged. But the fact is that this can be avoided by having a set of 100% cotton towels that we can use only use for washing one’s car. Wash them only in liquid detergent, and never use one after dropping it on the ground. This will help alleviate scratching, but cannot guarantee eliminating it all together. Many professional washes offer “touch less” options – where the car is cleaned by a powerful blast of water – and no cloth or other friction material ever touches the surface. Washes that do use brushes, called “friction” washes, only use materials or cloth that are engineered to wick dust, sand and grime away from the surface, therefore protecting your finish from scratching or damage. In fact, there have been great advances in the types of materials available for friction washes, including soft foam brushes specifically designed to protect one’s car.

There are also environmental concerns to consider when choosing where to wash one’s car. Most people who wash their cars at home do so in their driveways or out on the street. The water runs directly into the storm sewers in the street.

Professional car wash centers are built to provide appropriate drainage that ensures harmful chemicals do not make it into the local storm sewer system. In fact, many of them filter the water they use, and often recycle it. Also, washing one’s car at home can use up to 100 gallons of water per wash. No matter what ever car wash system one uses, it is a must that the car wash does not pollute the environment and it really helps in conserving water, especially in those areas where water is really scarce. For more details, visit