A tidy car means a tidy mind. We want you to have pride in your vehicle so you look and feel great when out on the road. You likely take good care of your car’s engine, brakes, tyres and other technical components (if not, please do!) so why not the cleanliness of the interior and exterior?
Most people probably don’t wash their cars enough. Usually, it’s because it proves to be too much of a chore, especially outside the summer months. There are a couple of reasons why you should get it done more often, beyond obviously wanting it to sparkle like new! The first is to protect the investment you’ve put into your car. You can slow down its depreciation if you keep it in top condition. That includes ensuring the interior fixtures like the seat upholstery, floor mats and dashboard are all clean and remain in good nick on top of washing and waxing the exterior. Second, and this applies mainly to people living on the coast, washing your car more protects it from the salt and dirt build-up which causes the metal to rust more quickly.
So how often do you actually need to wash your car? The general rule of thumb is every two to three weeks if you drive regularly on local roads and the occasional highway for work and the odd leisure activity. This will of course change depending on how often you drive your car, where you go on your outings, where you park it and if you accommodate animals (or messy eaters).
Where You Drive Your Car
The busier the roads and the more polluted an area is, the more dirt and grime you should expect your car to accumulate. That’s also the case if you’re doing a lot of highway driving surrounded by a lot of heavy polluting trucks and vans, or heading offroad down gravel or dirt paths. If you deal with any of these situations regularly, you may need to wash your car more often than drivers who stick to quieter local roads to keep it looking spick and span.
If you mainly cruise around suburban roads outside a city or busy town centre, you will likely find that you only need to wash your car towards the top end of our estimation – about three or possibly even four weeks.
How often Your Drive Your Car
This one is a simple concept. The more you drive, the more you should wash your car! Your car collects dirt off the ground, from the exhausts of other vehicles and the from the air and elements. As your car gets exposed to these environments you will quickly notice how much dirtier it looks in comparison to other cars around you. You might have to wash your car as often as once a week if you average a very high mileage.
As for the interior, if you stop to eat in your car just think about the bits of wrapping or paper you might not bother to throw in the bin, or the cup that’s been sitting in the middle cup holder for ages. Unfortunately, general wear and tear will happen naturally over time but consider wiping down the steering wheel, seats, compartments and dashboard to get rid of dust and dirt in the crevices.
Who Travels in Your Car
We all love our furry friends, but they can be a huge source of the mess in your car. Pets may leave a lot of marks, stains and hair scattered around the interior – especially if your car does not have extra space at the back designed for luggage or a dog. If your pet ends up sitting across the passenger seats and has particularly sharp claws, be conscious of any scratches or loose stitching they might leave. Lay down matts to mitigate any damage and vacuum up those stray hairs.
Where you Park Your Car
Where you live and park greatly affects the dirt build-up on your car. Leaving your car parked out beside the road means vehicles driving past will spray up additional dirt when you’re not even on the move.
Both tree sap and bird dropping are a car’s biggest enemies. Avoid parking under trees if at all possible, as sap and bird poo is corrosive and can permanently damage your car’s paintwork if left uncleaned. Avoid the temptation to scrape off either with your windscreen wipers. This will be far less of an issue if you keep your car parked on a driveway or in a garage.
The weather plays a major part in how often you need to wash your car depending on where you live. Excessively wet, dry, dusty or windy conditions quickly cover your car in dirt. A high pollen count can also smear a clean finish in the summer season.
What Activities You Participate in
Do you drive every day? Do you have to drive to work? Or is it just for pleasure and on weekend breaks? Take into account the reason for your journey and you’ll better understand where all that dirt comes from. You’ll also be able to best plan your time to clean the car.
If you are preparing for a weekend away – possibly a camping trip, outdoor hike or long drive, wash your car and clean the interior along with making the standard maintenance checks before any extended journey. If you love exercising or playing sports and have to drive to the gym, you will be leaving sweat marks on your seat and steering wheel so check over for those too. You’ll feel great about making the extra effort!
How Star Car Wash can help You
So now you know all the factors that play a part in how often you should be washing your car. There’s every chance you should be washing it more than you currently do. Potentially up to once a week for those who drive a lot. That’s why Star Car Wash is here to help!
Washing your car to squeaky clean cleanliness can be an arduous job. It requires you to set aside a good chunk of time, invest in some quality apparatus and soaps, put your back into giving your car a good scrub and have a bit of know-how to avoid leaving water stains after the fact.
Star Car Wash cater to how much you want to spend:
- Four levels of Express, Star, Platinum and Polish interior and exterior car washes
- Outstanding interior and exterior detailing from $179
- Unrivalled paint protection service
Book online today and find a Star Car Wash near you.
influential factors in a car’s value. The condition is largely based upon appearance and external wear and tear, and those are both things that regular car washes can help with.
Although it’s important to wash your car when it’s obviously dirty, most experts will recommend more frequent washes to protect the paint and maintain the exterior shine.
So, how often should you wash your car? And how else can you preserve its external appearance?
What the Experts Recommend
one to two times a month – and that’s about right.
According to most dealerships and car manufacturers, the general rule of thumb is to wash your car every two weeks. This includes cleaning the exterior, as well as the wheels, tires, and lights.
However, this is a general recommendation – you need to account for your environment and habits, too. Consider:
- How often do you drive your car
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- Where you drive your car
Driving Activity
Someone who uses their car a couple of times per week likely won’t need to wash their vehicle as often as someone who commutes to a job every day. To determine how often to wash your car, you’ll need to account for your personal schedule and driving habits.
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Some living environments call for more frequent car washes than others.
For instance, coastal and northern state residents may need to wash their cars every week due to salt exposure from the sea and from salt trucks on winter roads. Salt may be invisible, but it can quickly corrode metal and cause ugly rust stains when left on a car’s surface.
In the state of Washington, many car owners experience a trifecta of issues: ocean salt, winter weather conditions, and wooded areas. Therefore, as professional car detailers, we often recommend washing local cars at least three times per month.
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Lastly, think about where you drive your car and what kinds of roads you take.
You may need to wash your car more frequently if you drive on country roads often. Exposure to bird droppings, dead bugs, tree sap, and grime can tarnish your car’s exterior, creating long-term damage. Salty roads are especially harmful to your automobile and even harm its integrity.
On the other hand, if you’re usually driving smooth, easy roads in a suburban area, you can likely stick to washes every two weeks or so.
Does an Automatic Car Wash Count?
In most cases, an automatic or drive-through car wash will do the job well enough, at least for these regular bi-weekly washes. However, there is some risk of micro-scratches from the machinery. It’s best to seek hand washes to protect your automobile’s paint.
How Often Should You Detail and Wax?
schedule an auto detailing session and wax application at least twice per year (every six months or so).
Think of detailing as a “spring cleaning” for your vehicle. Professional car washers will meticulously wash the exterior of your automobile, then vacuum in the inside and comb every inch for dust and dirt. Although detailing appointments are generally more expensive, they’re a strong investment in the appearance and value of your vehicle.
Waxing isn’t just about making your vehicle shine – it’s crucial for fighting corrosive substances like salt, bugs, bird droppings, sap, and more. When your car is regularly waxed, these harmful contaminants should slide off the vehicle’s surface rather than causing permanent damage.
You’ll find auto detailing and waxing appointments preserve your car’s appearance while also protecting it for the months to come. If you can’t remember the last time you paid for some top-tier cleaning services, then it’s probably time to make an appointment.
What’s the Best Time of Year for Detailing and Waxing?
The best time for detailing and waxing services depends on where you live. Generally, we recommend scheduling these bi-annual appointments in the spring and fall – especially for our Washington customers.
This allows you to prepare your car for the winter elements and snow/salt from trucks. Then, as the weather warms up, you can remove any sticky contaminants that may be clinging to the automobile and prepare for the upcoming summer.
Is It Bad to Wash Your Car Too Often?
Some will say that washing your car too often can ruin its finish – and to není pravda. As long as car detailers are using safe cleaning products and have no harsh chemicals or abrasives, washing your car regularly will only improve its shine and color.
If you decide to wash your car several times a month, that’s fine – as long as you’re using a car cleaning service you know and trust.
Contact Big’s Mobile Detailing Today
Speaking of using the right products, all of ours are sourced from local companies in Washington. Big’s Mobile Detailing commits to using safe cleaning agents that only improve your car’s experience – never hurt.
Our goal is to help you protect your investment. We know you care about your vehicle – and we pour the same level of care into our regular washes and auto detailing services. We’re also happy to provide exemplary waxing services for additional shine and protection.
For more information on our car wash services, feel free to contact us. You can also schedule your mobile detailing appointment online. We’ll come right to you, making detailed car washes easier and more convenient than ever.
