So your car is dirty—again. Maybe it was the bird that decided to relieve itself on your windshield. Maybe you decided to go offroading over the weekend. Maybe you live in an area where they salt the roads. Regardless of bird droppings, mud, salt, or anything other substance that ends up on your vehicle, one thing is for sure—you have to wash it.
Luckily, you have options. Read on for five best ways to wash your car and get back on the road.
Mobile Car Washing
Sometimes life gets in the way. Between work, family, and time for yourself, you might not have the time or energy to drive to a car wash. That’s where mobile car washing and detailing comes in.
Albeit the most expensive option out of the group, mobile car washing services are the answer to the best way to wash your car, to a clean vehicle around your hectic schedule. Mobile car washers and detailers come to you—so you don’t even have to leave work or your home. These car washing professionals bring all of the best tools to give your vehicle a roof-to-rim shine and how to wash a car at home.
Pros
- Convenient and time-saving
- High-quality tools and products
- The cleanest results
Cons
-
Most expensive
Hand Car Washing Service
Want a great car wash without the mobile price tag? Try a hand washing and detailing business—where you can sit back and let the car washing attendants take care of your vehicle.
You do have to drive for this option, so if you are tight on time then a mobile car washing service would be better suited for you. However, hand washing is an excellent option if you have a few hours to spare. Hand washers typically work at detailing service shops, so prices will range depending on the business. You can also choose from various detailing services, so you can leave with your vehicle looking exactly how you want it to look.
Pros
- Relatively affordable
- You don’t have to wash the car
- Many services available
Cons
- Lower-quality products
- Time-consuming
Automatic Car Washes
This is the car wash you can use on your lunch break. Automatic in-bay and tunnel car washes are by far the quickest way to get your car cleaned and back on the road in a snap.
Aside from washing your car at home, automatic car washes will give you the biggest bang for your buck. They are cheap, convenient, and can be found practically anywhere. In an automatic car wash, you will put your car in neutral and be pulled into the wash by a conveyor. With in-bay washes, the car wash moves around your car. With tunnel washes, your car moves on the conveyor and is pulled through the entire wash. You can opt for a basic soap and water wash up to a premium clean with wax.
Pros
- The quickest option
- Cheap and affordable
- Convenient and time-saving
Cons
- Relatively basic
- Lower-quality products
-
Risk of scratches
Self-Service Car Wash
Letting someone else clean your vehicle can be stomach-turning for some. Perhaps you are one of these people, but maybe you live in an apartment building and don’t have the space or tools needed to wash your car.
A self-service car wash is your answer. With self-service, you pay a small fee to use the provided equipment—and that’s it. Use the powerful spray nozzle, soap your car up, and dry. Rinse and repeat when necessary. Now, the only thing you need to know about self-service car washes is that you are timed. Make sure you have thoroughly washed your car before you run out of time. Otherwise, you’ll be driving away with your car looking as dirty as before you arrived.
Pros
- Affordable
- You can wash your car yourself
- No need for space or equipment
Cons
- Basic
- Labor-intensive
-
Low-quality product
At-Home Car Wash
The best way to wash a car at home is the famous driveway car wash—this is the car was that only requires a driveway, a hose, a bucket, some soap, and you. An at-home car wash is by far the most affordable option on the list.
That being said, some people don’t have the space or means to wash their cars at home. If that’s the case for you, any of the above options will suffice. However, if you do have the space, then you’ll need a few basic tools to get you going.
When you wash your car at home, you want to take extra caution to ensure that you do not scratch the paint. To do this, you must use a scratch-resistant washing mitt followed by a soft, absorbent towel like CleanTools’ The Absorber®. The Absorber® is made of a material called PVA (poly-vinyl alcohol) that is soft, absorbent, and widely agreed upon as the best drying tool for vehicles. If you take care of your Absorber®, it will take care of you for many years to come.
Pros
- The most affordable
- Have control over your car
- No need to travel
Cons
- Labor-intensive
- Time-consuming
-
Need adequate space
Choosing the Right Car Wash for You
When you need your car washed, you have to take a look at your schedule, your budget, and your desired results. Your car is one of your largest investments in life—so you should make sure it’s well taken care of, both inside and out. That’s why your car needs CleanTools The Absorber®. And it’s not just for your car—use this wonder towel for pets, chores, and more.