Car Wash Recommendations: How Often is Enough?

Depending on who you ask, as a general rule, you should wash your car every two weeks and once a month. Regardless of the specifics, taking your car to the wash regularly would be best. 

How often you wash your car depends on the area that you live in, the season, the weather, or the terrain that you drive on. If you live in an area with a lot of salt, either because of a nearby ocean or from salt trucks on winter roads, car washes should happen more frequently since salt is corrosive and can cause rust. Bird droppings are acidic enough to eat through your car's paint job if it is left for too long.

On the other hand, drivers who don't face a lot of dust, salt, bird droppings, bugs, and the like will most likely have lower washing requirements. For example, if you're not driving frequently or only driving in good weather and parking your car in a garage, you might be able to go slightly longer between having your car washed. Even in these circumstances, however, you should still be aware of bugs and bird droppings.

How often you wash your car will also depend on the time of year. While we might think of car washes as a summertime activity, you should actually be washing your car in the winter as well, and more frequently than you do in the summer. Salt from the roads is the leading cause for this concern, as salt build-up can be highly damaging to your car.

Why is Winter Car Care So Important?

Rusty metal is more than just unsightly; it is a safety hazard. As previously mentioned, road salt is dangerous because it corrodes metal vehicle parts. If not removed, salt can quickly eat through the structural foundation of a vehicle. The car's undercarriage takes the most damage from road salt, a location that can mean extra bad news for the metal pieces down there. Parts can break or fall off, threatening both the driver and other motorists. 

A typical year-round car wash schedule involves washing the car regularly, roughly once every two or three weeks. In winter, the ideal interval between washes is significantly shorter. Once every ten days is a good starting point, but this can be once every five to seven days for drivers in very snowy or icy areas.

Though winter is perhaps the most critical time of year for car washing, it is also one of the most difficult. As we all know, washing your car means getting it wet, and that water can quickly turn to ice in freezing weather. To avoid damage from freezing water, drivers should only wash their cars when temperatures are warmer than 40 degrees. If the weather is uncooperative, there are things that drivers can do to prevent damage.

How To Wash Your Car In Winter

Early preparation is vital to lasting vehicle health. The best washing regimen is part of an annual care schedule that includes regular waxing and detailing. Before winter weather hits, drivers should also ensure their vehicle uses weather-appropriate fluids and tires.

Some people prefer to wash their vehicles at home, while others prefer a commercial car wash. Both options have benefits and downsides. However, drivers should avoid automatic drive-through car washes with large spinning brushes. If not maintained adequately, these brushes can damage your vehicle's paint. Other broken components may do additional harm.

Some other things to consider, especially when washing your car in the winter, are factors like temperature and supplies. When possible, avoid washing your vehicle in freezing weather, but if it is unavoidable, try driving your car around for a few minutes with the heater on before cleaning, remove excess snow and build-up before washing, or even pull your car into a warm garage to help prevent freezing while driving.

Here are some other tips for washing your car, especially in the winter.

Use The Right Products

If you wash your car yourself, use soap specifically formulated for use on vehicles. If this is not available, use a mild biodegradable kind. Do not use dish soap; it is specially formulated to remove grease. This can include the protective layer of wax on your vehicle, leaving your car more prone to damage.

Other necessary supplies include two buckets (one for warm water and the other for cleaning solution), a water hose, a sponge or washing mitt, and microfiber towels for drying your car.

Wash The Exterior Completely

While washing, ensure you hit as many crevasses as possible. Salt likes to collect in gaps between metal pieces, on the underside of the vehicle, and around the tires. The bottom is significant to clean. 

To adequately cover this area, spray the bottom of the car with a stream of water from a hose nozzle or power washer. Prioritizing each component can help prevent salt and debris build-up.

Wash One Section At A Time

When cleaning your vehicle at home, you can help avoid damage caused by freezing water if you wash only one section of your car at a time and thoroughly rinse off any cleaning solution before moving on to the next section.

Drying and Finishing

Once the car is clean, you then need to dry it off. While you might be able to drive off after washing in warmer or more temperate weather, this is a critical step in winter to help prevent damage from frozen water.

To do this, wipe your car down with soft cloths. Make sure to wipe the door seals and spray the rubber gaskets with a silicone spray to help prevent the doors from freezing shut. Lubricating the door locks and hinges can also support this.

Wax Your Car's Exterior

When you're done cleaning your vehicle, you might also consider waxing it. This, however, needs to be done when it is warmer because the wax will become unusable if it gets too cold. Applying a coat of wax to your car after it has been washed can add another layer of protection against harsh conditions in winter. 

Generally, most cars need a good application of wax at least twice per year. If you're unsure whether your vehicle needs a new coat of wax, test it out by splashing a bit of water on your car. If it beads up, your wax coat is all good. If it doesn't bead, it's time for a new wax.

Follow the automotive maker's instructions for waxing your vehicle. Some vehicles require you to wax your car for up to two months, while in other cases, going six months between waxes.

Don't Forget the Interior

While cleaning your car's exterior is essential for the long-term health of your vehicle, keeping the interior clean can be just as important. One of the best things you can do for your car is to have it detailed. 

Getting your car detailed is like spring cleaning for your vehicle (but not necessarily in spring). Most detailing services cover everything from vacuuming every last inch of the interior to cleaning your car's grille with a toothbrush. While you can certainly do it all yourself, a ton of companies also offer these services for a range of prices.

Another thing you can do to keep your interior nice is to replace your cloth floor mats with rubber floor mats, which are much better suited to handle moisture. Slush and residue from winter boots can soak through the carpet and corrode the vehicle's undercarriage from above. Rubber floor mats, however, catch the melting slush before they can damage the car. If you don't currently own rubber floor mats, they could be a wise investment to help maintain the quality of your vehicle.

Additionally, if you have leather seats in your car, they should be cleaned and conditioned roughly every three months to help keep the leather from cracking and aging. If you drive frequently and your car's interior is often exposed to the sun, you should do this every other month.