Natural way to wash/wax car?

Cali1012

Hello! Does anyone have suggestions for an environmentally/health-friendly way to wash and wax your car without all the harsh chemicals?

Also, do you know if this procedure will not strip the paint or damage the car over time? TIA!

meedy8

I use Dr. Bronner's baby mild soap to wash my car & it works well.  As for the wax?  I have no advice.

Durve2008

I just picked up Ecover ...have not tried it yet.  It has a plant wax in it.

http://www.ecover.com/us/en/Products/Other/

Ms.Jade

It's also important that you have your car washed at a place where water is treated instead of doing it yourself at home and sending water through the storm drains. It is argued that the negative impact is greater regardless of your soap choice, if you wash your car at home. Here's more info about this. 

http://environment.about.com/od/greenlivingdesign/a/car_wash.htm

 

 

Joenali

That's what the rain is for!

CDMay2006

Joenali:

That's what the rain is for!

I'm guessing you're joking, but if not... washing your car responsibly (either at a carwash or at least on the grass -- where it is filtered naturally before entering surface or ground water -- using biosafe cleaners) is important b/c (in addition to maintining your car's condition) otherwise all the junk collected on the surface of your car just washes down the storm drain and back into rivers.

7river7wed7

Somehow I knew that DIY car washing was less eco-friendly and could wash unwanted yuckies into rivers and such, but it never occurred to me that not washing your car could have the same effect...I'm with joenali - I don't wash my car, the rain does it for me. Maybe once or twice a year I take it to the car wash.

Cali1012

Thanks for the replies everyone- I haven't washed my car in probably 1-2 years....so it is somewhat overdue. I am reading all the articles and taking everything into account- I had no idea about DIY vs. commercial car washes- it never occurred to me that they treated their water.  Thank you!

Jen&Joe06

Not sure if you have these in the US but up here we have Eco car washes. So they use way less water and biodegradable soap.