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, which spur the growth of algae. Excess algae, in addition to smelling bad and impacting water quality, uses oxygen needed by fish and other animals in the water.
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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:
- 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 dirt so the unclean water can be absorbed and neutralized in the soil.
- Use a nozzle that allows you to easily turn off the water instead of running it the entire time
- 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