Dear Umbra,
I recently bought a new-to-me car (fuel efficient!). It’s the nicest car I’ve ever owned, so I want to keep it well-maintained and clean. What are some environmentally friendly ways to keep my car clean, both inside and out? I’d rather not use gross chemicals and harsh soaps. Will good ol’ vinegar and baking soda do for the inside panels? How about natural soaps for the outside?
Carolyn
Marblemount, Wash.
Dearest Carolyn,
My firsthand knowledge about car washing wouldn’t fill a tin can. Honestly, I’ve often wondered if it was necessary. Or, I used to wonder until I got a co-owner who drinks coffee, and a passenger who spills milk. Let’s just say I have been happy about the recent freezing temperatures, which seem to mute the smell.
We talked about car washes a while back, and the importance of using a commercial car wash if one is available near you. Commercial washers are required to recycle their water and manage the soapy toxins therein. Whereas home washers who don’t take care will use a tremendous gallonage of water (new coinage! just call me Shakey the Bard) and the sudsy run-off may enter storm drains, damaging downstream life.
That said, driving ridiculously far to find a commercial wash is a poor choice, obviously. Also, from the reading I just did on your behalf, I learned that serious car washers consider commercial establishments damaging to the paint finish. The whole point of washing your car is to protect the paint coating, lengthen the life of the paint, defend the undercarriage from salty destruction, and—of course—keep up appearances.
Ecologically, then, our car washing priorities are: First, don’t own a car. Second, use a commercial car wash near our home. Third, use one we happen to pass on the way to somewhere else. Fourth, wash the car at home using some or all of the following suggestions (which come from Car Talk [PDF] and others).
Several of the eco-cleanser brands sell car wash materials, including Ecover and Simple Green (also Eco Touch, which I’d never heard of). You might also use Dr. Bronner’s or a similar mild soap, but do not use dish liquid (could remove the wax), and avoid anything with the usual suspects such as petroleum distillates and phosphates. Follow the dilution instructions as you prepare your warm bucket of suds—you shouldn’t need much soap, and the water shouldn’t be hot, as that will take off the wax. Also have a second bucket of clean water to hand, several soft sponges, and all-cotton towels or rags. Park the car on grass or dirt if you are able, or perhaps you have a permeable-surface driveway.
Wet the car in order to rinse off any loose grime and scratchy debris. Then hand wash it in patches, starting at the roof and working down the sides to the ground. Keep your sudsy sponge clean, and either dry it as you go to avoid splotchy bits, or give it an all out rinse at the end and then hand dry.
As to the inside, I must refer you to the Car Talk tips referenced above, which are detailed (ha ha). I’m running out of space. Two interesting tips: read the manual, and don’t scrub shoddy upholstery too hard. I think vinegar and water will be fine on most of the interior, especially the windows.
I’ve also heard that keeping the car tidy on an ongoing basis, and dealing with coffee spills as they occur rather than after nine months of winter, are good ways to avoid using any cleanser in the first place. Could just be an urban myth.
Stainedly,
Umbra
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Comments
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ledude Posted 10:44 pm
01 Mar 2009
There are several manufacturers (eco touch, lucky earth, bayes) who have been promoting the products over the past few years...may be worth checking out.
Also, even if you select an eco-friendly car wash soap for a hose + bucket method, you are still openly discharging the chemicals, brake dust, oils & road residue into the environment untreated. Frankly, washing on your grass isn't going to make a huge difference when it comes to filtering out those chemicals, where do you think they ultimately end up? Waterways, small organisms, pets, etc...
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Wrightsfd Posted 3:05 am
02 Mar 2009
I agree with the comment above about washing off the chemical residue in the grass, but I think that is such a minor aspect of car ownership that is is almost moot. I would not recommend de-greasing your engine on your lawn, but regular washing (bi-weekly) is fine when using eco-friendlier products.
Also, I highly recommend a California Car Duster. It is a waxy brush that removes dust from your car with one swipe, often eliminating the need to wash it. You can find them at any auto parts store or Target, Wal-mart (please don't shop here), Walgreens, etc. You simply take a dusty car and wipe it down with the brush, it takes 2 minutes, it works great, and regular use will prolong the time between washes.
One other thing is to wash the inside of your engine. Pay the price to use synthetic oil which is plant based instead of petroleum based and change your oil at no less than 6000 mile intervals, the 3000 mile rule is from the time when Model-Ts roamed the land. Check your owner's manual for your car's recommendations. Follow that rule, most manufacturers recommend 7500 to 10,000 mile intervals. Use the oil (synthetic version) that it recommends, not what the local quick-lube happens to have handy. You can find more eco-friendly antifreeze too when it is time to flush your system (at about 60,000 miles)
A well maintained car requires less major repairs and therefore saves you money in the end as well as the environment by not wasting the worn out parts.
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yundah Posted 4:33 am
02 Mar 2009
I suppose this could be a problem if you don't like the smell of coffee but that isn't an issue in my case. Most of the grounds still ended up in the compost as I scraped up what I could, and I didn't have to use any nasty chemicals. It was a win/win kind of thing. Good luck!
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featherfish81 Posted 5:27 am
02 Mar 2009
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bailsout Posted 12:20 pm
02 Mar 2009
They also offer another cleaner which, when diluted, should work well for cars also. I haven't tried it yet, but it's my next purcase.
Charlie seems to be very green.
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drewtiss Posted 11:25 pm
10 Jul 2009
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