Outdoor car washing results in large amounts of dirt, road grime, oil, and heavy metals flowing into waterways. The soapy water used to wash the car flows down the street and into storm drains. Water that enters storm drains travels directly to the nearest body of water without being cleaned.

 

Use a Commercial Car Wash
This is the best option to keep harmful chemicals from entering our streams and lakes. Commercial car wash water is recycled and sent to the wastewater plant for treatment.

At Home
When washing your car at home, wash it on your lawn or a pervious surface, so the wash water can soak into the ground and pollutants will be filtered out. Use phosphorous-free soap to decrease the amount of nutrients entering our waterways. Excess nutrients decrease water quality and harm aquatic life.

Take the Car Wash Pledge today!  Receive a free commercial car wash.  See coupons and incentives for more details.

Your choices at home make a difference

Storm drains in your neighborhood do not direct waste water to the sewer system, they direct water to tributaries and lakes.  Any products that enter storm drains can end up in the nearest water source, such as Lake Whatcom or its tributaries. So when washing your car at home, your choice of cleaning products can help to reduce impacts to water quality.

 

Phosphates result in an increase in algal growth, which reduces the levels of dissolved oxygen in the water and suffocates fish and other aquatic life. 

 

If a product comes with a warning on it such as “harmful if swallowed”, “avoid contact with skin”, “do not get in open cuts or sores”, or many other health warnings it is probably one to avoid. 

Choose Alternative (non-toxic) Cleaners:

• Soap: choose phosphate free and non-toxic soap, use as little as possible
• Scouring Powders: baking soda
• Fiberglass: baking soda paste
• Decks and Floors: one cup white vinegar in two gallons water
• Windows: one cup vinegar in one cup warm water, rinse and squeegee
• Aluminum: two tablespoons cream of tarter in one quart hot water
• Copper: lemon juice and salt
• Brass: Worcestershire sauce or paste made of equal parts salt, vinegar, and water; rinse
• Chrome: apple cider vinegar to clean; baby oil to polish
• Drain Opener: pour vinegar and baking soda in drain and follow with boiling water
• Mildew: paste of equal parts of either lemon juice and salt or vinegar and salt
• Wood: three parts olive oil and one part white vinegar
• For Your Hands: baby oil or margarine

Car washes are a popular way to raise money for a team, organization or your favorite charity.  Next time you want to hold a car wash consider these two options: