Why DIY Car Washes are the Best

There’s nothing like good, old-fashioned elbow grease when it comes to getting the most out of your car wash. Although there’s something to be said for automatic car washes, which allow you to get in and out without even exiting your car, nothing will get your vehicle in better condition—and for less money—than a self-serve car wash. Here’s why.

• Full Cycle on Your Terms: Self-service car washes are like automated car washes in that your automobile goes through a carefully tested cycle of soaking, washing, rinsing, and waxing. However, unlike an automated wash, you get to decide how long each cycle lasts. Do you have lots of caked on mud and windshield splatter? You should soak for a few extra minutes. Has it been a while since you put a coat of wax on your car? Spend a little extra time making sure you wax all the nooks and crannies. Because you control how long each cleaning step takes, you can customize your wash to your ride.

• Personalized Inspection: Chances are you don’t do a walk-around of your car each night when you get home from work. A car wash is a great opportunity to perform a careful inspection of your vehicle without taking extra time out of your day to do it. When you’re up close and personal doing the scrubbing, spraying, and wiping for yourself, you can keep an eye out for any dings or dents that might need your attention. You can also use this time to check the pressure of your tires, assess your windshield wipers, or even peek under the hood to ensure your fluid levels are good.

• Clean Inside and Out: If you’re like most car owners, the inside of your car gets just as dirty as the outside. With a DIY car wash, you can pay equal attention to both the interior and exterior. Before you pull into the stall, stop at the vacuums to clear out the garbage, clean the upholstery, and run a window cleaner over the inside of the windshield.

• Provide Your Own Detailing: There are certain parts of a car that require a more detailed focus than you get from an automated wash. For example, your headlights should be regularly polished, and you may need to work double duty to clean off a bug shield or get the chrome on your wheels shining. During a DIY car wash, you can do as much (or as little) detail work as you like. Many people find it handy to carry their own supplies for the details, while others take advantage of the materials available at the car wash itself.

• Less Water Waste: One of the rarely discussed benefits of a self-service car wash is the positive impact it has on the environment. Because you control the amount of time spent washing the car, you determine how much water is being used or not. And because you’re at a professional wash instead of at home, the drained water isn’t being put directly into the ground. In fact, this type of car wash is considered the most eco-friendly.

DIY car washes are also great for providing you with exercise, a long-lasting appreciation for your vehicle, and, in some cases, a chance to have some fun with your kids. Here in Salt Lake City, we find that lots of families stop by to work together to clean their cars, staying active and healthy while they do it!