The Pros and Cons of Washing Your Own Vehicle

The Pros and Cons of Washing Your Own Vehicle

It may be faster to just pay some money and let the machines do their job. But is that really the best approach? Should you just wash your own vehicle? The following lists of pros and cons may help you to make a decision.

Pros 

• Washing your own vehicle will save you money. Depending on where you live, you could pay from $20 to $40 or more per month at the car wash. 
• No one is going to want to take care of your car more than you.  You will be able to clean it and detail it the way you want to. 
• You will have a sense of accomplishment and pride that you can keep your vehicle looking nice. 
• If this is your first vehicle, it will show your parents that you are responsible.

Cons

• Depending on where you live, certain times of the year might be too cold outside to wash your vehicle by hand.  So you might only be able to wash your vehicle by hand during the warmer months. 
• How much does water cost in your area? You could use 10-20 gallons (or more) of water every time you wash your vehicle at home. 
• It takes time and planning to wash your vehicle properly. 
• It could get muddy around your vehicle if you wash it in your driveway or yard.  

Bonus tips, if you decide to clean your own vehicle:

• Use the 2-bucket method to conserve water (one 5-gallon bucket for soapy water and another 5-gallong bucket for cleanse rinse water). Before you start, get that water hose out of the garage and hook it up to the outside faucet for the final rinse. 
• Clean the windows and the body of the car using a clean, soft cloth and warm soapy water.
• Use a long-handled brush to scrub the undercarriage and a smaller hand held brush to scrub the fenders. (This will help to prevent rust.)
• If you decide to clean under the hood of your vehicle, lightly clean the top of the engine; do not soak the engine with water. 
• You will need at least two large towels to dry your vehicle properly. Make sure you dry your side mirrors and windows first, before they get water spots on them.
• Detail your tires. Once you are finished detailing your tires, don't forget the Armor All to shine up your clean tires. 
• Depending on where you live, waxing your vehicle about every three months or so will help protect the paint. This will keep your vehicle looking good for a longer period of time. 

Last but not least...have fun washing your vehicle. Enjoy being outside, make some memories, and get into a friendly water fight with those who decide to help you.  Your dog will be happy to be outside with you, too. Let them drink from the water hose. Most dogs will love it. 

At NHSA, our goal is to provide online driver education courses that equip all drivers with what they need to be safe drivers.  Whether you are a teen seeking a learner’s permit, or an adult driver seeking a basic driver safety course, check us out online to see what courses are available in your state!