How Often Should I Wash My Car?

How Often Should I Wash My Car?

Your car is an investment, and like any investment, it needs to be properly maintained to keep it looking and running at its best. One of the easiest – yet most important – things you can do for your car is to wash it regularly. How often is “regularly?” Well, that answer depends on a few factors, including where you live in, how often you drive your car, and where you park it.

Why Is Washing Your Car Important?

There are several reasons why it's important to wash your car regularly. First, it helps to protect your car's paint and finish. Dirt, dust, and other debris can act like sandpaper, slowly wearing away at your car's paint. Over time, this can lead to rust and other damage.

Next, keeping your car clean can actually help to improve its performance. A dirty car can be less aerodynamic, which can lead to decreased fuel efficiency. Additionally, dirt and debris can sometimes make their way under the hood, which can lead to serious mechanical problems down the road.

Cleaning your car can also be good for your health, physical and otherwise. Thoroughly washing the interior can remove harmful bacteria and germs left behind by you or other passengers, and studies show that a clean car can have a positive impact on your mood, too.

Factors Affecting How Often You Wash Your Car

As a baseline, for people who live in mild climates, drive an average or lower number of miles each year, and park their vehicles in garages, the experts recommend washing your car about once every two weeks. 

The flip side is that if you live somewhere that gets a lot of snow, you should wash more often to remove the salt and/or other chemicals typically used to help keep the roads clear. Road salt is especially well-known for causing rust. In addition, the more you drive and park out in the open, the more dirt and other contaminants you’re likely to get on your car. Driving on actual dirt or gravel roads, or off-roading, will obviously make things even worse.

Are Drive-through Car Washes Safe?

It can be tempting to take the easy way out and go through an automatic car wash, but that’s not necessarily the best route to a clean car. The brushes and chemicals used by typical car washes can cause small scratches and abrasions on your vehicle’s finish, and the “touchless” car washes, which also rely on chemicals, may not be as effective at removing dirt, mud, salt, etc.

Tips on Hand Washing a Car

Washing your car is a relatively simple task, but there are a few things you can do to make sure you're doing it right. Begin by rinsing your car with water to remove any loose dirt or debris. Then, use a mild car wash soap and a soft sponge or wash mitt to wash your car. Be sure your sponge/mitt is clean before starting as well. 

After thoroughly washing your car, rinse it again with water to remove any soap residue, and dry it using a clean and soft towel, chamois, or microfiber cloth to avoid paint scratches.

Other smart tips include:

• Wash your car in the shade. This will help to prevent the soap from drying too quickly and leaving streaks.

• Do not use harsh soaps that can damage your car's paint.

• Avoid using brushes, as these can scratch the paint.

• Wash the entire car, including the wheels and undercarriage.

Many people further suggest waxing your car twice a year as an added layer of protection against the elements.

Now that you know more about washing your car, you can start shopping here, start selling here, and enjoy the whole HMSMC site from wherever you have an Internet connection.