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Winter Car Washing - How to Wash your Car with Little or No Water!


Washing your vehicle in cold weather climates can be a challenge. Unless we are fortunate enough to have a heated garage most of us have no access to water at our homes during our cold winters. Yes there are automatic car washes but you want to avoid brushed car washes (unless you like scratches all over your paint), and the detergents used in touchless washes are very harsh & over time can damage your paint. The harsh chemicals used in the soap in touchless automatic washes will strip car waxes in just a few washes! Note: If your car is ceramic coated touchless washes may be a good option. Ceramic based products have a high chemical resistance which allows them to withstand these harsh soaps. Coin op washes are also a suitable winter option but many of us are reluctant to be standing in a pool of water in -20 temperatures having water splashed on as we wash.


There are however several options that allow you wash your vehicle in your garage (or underground parking) using very little or no water at all!


Many top brand detailing brands offer either a rinseless or waterless wash. Not only are these products a great winter washing option, they are eco-friendly as well! Traditional car washing methods can use up to 100 gallons of water per wash, while a rinseless wash typically uses less than 5 gallons, waterless washes use none. This makes these an excellent option for those looking to reduce their environmental impact.


How Do they Work?


Rinseless/Waterless washes contain cleaning detergents that break down dirt and contaminants, making them easier to wipe away. Additionally, these products contain lubricating polymers that act as a water substitute, encapsulating loose dirt and grime and drawing them into your wash mitt, sponge, towel preventing scratches


Preparation


Before you start, make sure the car is suitable for a rinseless/waterless wash. This method is ideal for cars that are slightly to moderately dirty. Heavily soiled cars may require a pre-rinse before washing. If you choose to use a rinseless or waterless wash make sure you wash your vehicle frequently so as to not allow a big build-up of mud salt etc. Although these products are safe on paint surface


 

Rinseless Washes


Rinseless washes do require some water. Depending on the size of your vehicle you can usually wash your full vehicle with one 3 or 5 gallon pail of water.


What you need:

  • Bucket

  • Rinseless wash product

  • Car wash mitt or sponge

  • Drying Towel


Note: One of our most popular products for rinseless washes is the Optimum Big Red Sponge. This sponge was designed specifically for use with their No Rinse line of products and works great with any brand of rinseless wash



Optimum Big Red Sponge
Optimum Big Red Sponge


How to use:


Always check your products directions for use for any specific requirements for their product but the directions below are pretty standard and will work with almost any brand of rinseless waterless wash.


  1. Follow the manufacturers dilution ratios and mix your soap in the bucket of water.

  2. Working from the top down simply dunk your mitt/sponge into your wash solution & liberally apply (squeeze your loaded mitt or sponge over the area to be washed)

  3. Wipe side to side / up and down, allowing the solution to do the work and simply glide the wash medium over the dirt. Use a smooth action, not grinding the dirt into the paint.

  4. Frequently rinse your wash medium in the bucket. Although not a requirement using a 2 bucket method is the best (one for the rinseless wash solution & one with just water for rinsing). Particularly if you are using only one bucket a grit-guard in the bucket is highly recommended to help prevent transferring dirt from your bucket back onto the paint.

  5. Dry the vehicle with a high quality drying towel


Tips:

  • Wash wheels last

  • You may pre-treat your paint with a stronger concentration of your rinseless wash to ensure proper encapsulation of any road grime.

  • Rinse your wash medium frequently

  • Another great option for applying you carwash dilution is to use a pump up sprayer. You will still need a bucket to rinse your wash medium



using a rinseless car wash


Ceramic Rinseless Washes


Very similar to how standard car wash soaps are available infused with sio2 particles (ceramic) some brands are now offered ceramic based rinseless wash soaps! Griot's Garage Ceramic Rinseless Wash is a great example. The ceramic in the soap leaves a great gloss and provides great short-term ceramic protection for your paint.



Griot's garage Ceramic Rinseless Wash
Griot's Garage Ceramic Rinseless Wash
 

Waterless Washes


Waterless washes are just how they sound... you wash your vehicle with no water at all.


What you need:

  • Waterless wash soap

  • Drying towel Note: More than one towel is recommended. One towel may get too wet/dirty to effectively dry the vehicle as you wash. Do not use cheap towels! Using cheap towels can cause paint marring.


How to use:


  1. Fold your towel so you have usable sides

  2. Starting at the top of the vehicle (the cleanest part), spray a panel generously with your waterless wash.

  3. Wipe lightly in one direction.

  4. As you're wiping, pay attention to the cleanliness of the towel. Once a section of the towel gets dirty use another section.



McLaren Waterless wash & wax




 

There you have it! Winter Car Washing - How to Wash your Car with Little or No Water. In conclusion, a rinseless wash is an innovative car washing method that offers numerous benefits. It's an eco-friendly, convenient, and effective way to keep a vehicle clean. With the right products and techniques, it can be a valuable addition to any car care routine.

As with any car care method, it's important to use high-quality products and follow the manufacturer's instructions for the best results. With a little practice, anyone can master the rinseless wash method and enjoy the benefits it offers!

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