Eco-friendly Car Wash
Most people are thinking about saving money or getting a fantastic tan as they proudly soap up automobiles on their driveways, hose in hand. But the truth is that home car washing is one of the more environmentally unfriendly chores we perform.
When we home wash, the run-off water goes untreated into storm drains, and eventually ends up in rivers, streams and wetlands. The dirty water may contain soap, detergent, residue from exhaust frames, gasoline or motor oil. Car washing soap often contains phosphates and other nutrients, which spur the growth of algae. Excess algae not only block sunlight and prevent photosynthesis, but they use up oxygen.
Commercial car washes are required to drain wastewater into sewer systems, where the water is treated. For this reason, commercial car washes have less of an environmental impact than home-washing. Also, high pressure nozzles and pumps minimize water usage. The average home wash uses 80-140 gallons of water while the commercial average is 45 gallons.
Tips for Home Car Care
If you must wash at home, there are things you can do to lessen your impact:
- Use a nozzle that automatically stops the flow of water when you release the trigger
- Choose biodegradable, phosphate-free soap. You can make your own by combining one cup liquid dishwasher detergent and three-fourths cup powdered laundry detergent with three gallons of water, according to about.com.
- Wash over grass or permeable pavement so the unclean water can be absorbed and neutralized in the soil.
- Avoid washing in direct sunlight and during the hottest part of the day to decrease evaporation
- Use cloth instead of paper towels
- Empty wash buckets in the sink or toilet
- Look into buying waterless car wash
As of June 17th 2011 we have upgraded our comment system to use Facebook comments. The below comments are closed and are listed for historical purposes.
Edward Bertain
posted on February 12th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
On car washing there are many issues that need to be addressed and there have been fantastic study’s, “one in Puget Sound due to the Salmon problems.” But the first thing fur businesses besides reduction is containment. We have a very cost effective way to contain the wash water taking away the argument from businesses that is is not affordable to create an area for containment especially if it’s a leased property.
Anyhow, if people knew how toxic wash waster was from all forms of vehicle and equipment washing, especially during summer months or drought conditions, they would think twice about allowing the water to run across the parking lot to the Storm Drain, or leach into the surface. non-commercial a car here or there is a different story but Car dealerships, Car Rental Companies, Truck Leasing companies, or Tool rental yards, or a dozen other normal businesses that Wash all the time needs to be regulated and at the minimum be required to contain the water and send it to Sanitary Sewer. It would be a different discussion but reuse of the water would be a better option.
If there are any comments please forward.
Maya Jack
posted on January 6th, 2010 at 3:46 am
I always appreciate the people for their efforts towards the eco-friendliness & would like to refer another i.e. SUPERIOR LIGHTING; playing an important role by launching their energy efficient LEDs & soothing light bulbs.
Boyd Spencer
posted on February 3rd, 2010 at 3:06 pm
You should also check out the products of Green Earth technologies. The link to their car wash is below:
http://www.getg.com/products/products.php?CategoryID=1&ProductID=3
For a broader view of their eco-friendly products, see
http://www.getg.com/products/index.php
The also have motor oil made from American-grown base oils:
http://www.getg.com/products/products.php?CategoryID=1&ProductID=1
The products can be ordered from Amazon and the two-cycle oil is on the shelves in all the Home Depot stores.