Wash your car – the green way

When your car needs to be washed, do you do it yourself or head to the local car wash? You may be surprised to learn that taking your car to a commercial car wash is actually better for the environment than washing your car at home.

When you wash your car in your driveway, the runoff goes into storm drains, which lead directly to creeks, lakes, and streams and harm water quality and wildlife. Federal laws require commercial car wash facilities to drain wastewater into sewer systems, where it is treated before being released back into the environment. Commercial car washes use computer controlled systems and high-pressure nozzles and pumps that minimize water usage; the International Carwash Association reports that automatic car washes use less than half the water of even the most careful home car washer. Also, many car washes will recycle and re-use the rinse water.