I know some people get black cars so that they don’t have to wash them every now and then. Yep, an old trick, but not healthy at all for the car, is it? Regardless of the paint, no matter how fresh your car looks, it needs to be washed quite often to keep it fresh and functional.
Experts recommend that you need to keep your car clean and fresh by washing it at a regular interval. How often? Well, that’s a question that has many answers, but here in this post, we will try to tell you about the bare minimum! So, without getting baffled in riddles.
let’s get started!
Hand Wash Vs. Automatic Car Wash
Okay, so how to wash your car? You obviously end up with only 2 options. Wash it manually or automatically. Nowadays, with the increasing number of car washing centers, it has become a norm among car owners to leave their cars at automatic car wash centers for a convenient and swift clean-up.
Well, you can also adopt it because this really saves your time and does a good job at cleaning. Some of these automated cleaning services come with free polishing, too! So, there’s very little room to debate when it comes to saving your time and energy for washing your car.
However, some car washing centers use harmful chemicals while washing the car that may harm the paint and the outside surface. So, you better be skeptical about the ingredient they are using and ask about it directly beforehand.
If you don’t want to go into this, hand washing is the only option you are left with. This, again, has two ways to be done. First, you can do it yourself, and second, you can hire somebody to do it for you.
Why spending a penny? If you have got time on your weekend mornings, just grab the soap, an air compressor, a hose, and a towel - let’s get on to business!
Are Automatic Car Washes Safe On a Regular Basis?
Okay, this is something you yourself can answer. How often have you seen the warning sign on the automatic car wash entrance that they don’t take responsibility for the car’s damage? Yeah, that’s because, as I said earlier, these washers use different types of materials that are not simply designed for every other model.
That means these are set up for some specific types of cars and not for all. So, there remains a chance of a mismatch of chemicals with the surface of your vehicle. If that’s the case, your car may get damaged in some way.
So, the basic answer is, no, it’s not safe to use an automatic car washer on a regular basis. Instead, try your old-school formula of handwashing at home. It takes time, but it’s much safer and exciting.
How Often Should You Wash Your Car In The Summer?
Not every single season is equal. That’s why the dryness and humidity in the air differ at different parts of the year. So, you need to customize your habit of washing your car according to the seasons.
In the summer, the UV rays are the strongest in the whole year. So, it’s definitely a red flag for you that if you keep your vehicle unwashed for more than a month, the paint is going to be faded, and the surface material may also get damaged.
That’s why a rule of thumb is that you should wash your car at least twice a week in the summer when the heat hits the maximum. However, this also depends on the fact that where you live.
If you live in a place with mostly dry weather like Arizona, it will be a good idea to go once a week as bugs will be less frequent. On the other hand, if you are living in a place that comes with humid weather that’s humid like DC, you will face a lot of bugs.
This means you need to go for more cleaning than the dry areas. Twice a week of cleaning is what should be ideal in this case. As for your car stored in a garage for a month with no drive, it’s always a good idea to wash it at least once in a couple of weeks.
How Often Should You Wash Your Car In The Winter?
Likewise, you should also alter your car washing schedule in the winter. Then again, where you live plays a key role in determining the washing frequency. If you are living in places with heavy snowfall, you may need to go for a once-a-week cleaning.
This is because of the road salt that forms over your vehicle, which can damage your paint and surface material. Plus, It can also cause undercarriage, as well.
However, this is just a general guideline. If you are a regular commuter in the winter, your car will be exposed to a larger risk of undercarriage and salt formation. In that case, you should wash it at least every 5 days.
One more thing, always try to wash the car when the outside temperature is around 40 degrees F. If it’s anything less than that, it may cause ice formation on the car that may ask for separate measurement, which is something you don’t want to deal with.
How Often Should You Wax Your Car?
Yes, washing your car keeps it clean and fresh, but you want to keep it as shiny as possible. That’s where waxing comes in. It’s ideal for waxing your car every 3 months, at least, to keep it shining throughout the year.
How Often Should You Wash Your Car Undercarriage?
Cleaning and washing the undercarriage is perhaps the most underrated cleaning option most car owners consider. As it is just under your car, and that’s not something ideal. You need to wash the undercarriage of your car four times throughout the year.
However, if you are driving regularly off-road, the chance for salt formation and bugs will be higher than in any other case. So, in that case, you may need to wash it six times a year to be on the safe side.
How Often Should You Wash Your Car To Prevent Rust?
You don’t need to be particularly concerned about rust formation on your car if you are not living in a coastal area. However, if you do live in such a place, it’s ideal for washing it at least once in 10 days.
If you are following the once in a week or twice in a week formula, it will also suffice.
Just keep it clean regularly!
Final Words
Well, no canon needs to be followed religiously when it comes to washing your car. It’s a natural thing to keep your vehicle clean, especially when it is muddy, buggy, or dirty in any other way. However, growing a habit of regularly cleaning and washing the car will definitely ensure that it retains its brand-new look and freshness.
The more you are committed to the washing schedule, the better it is for the car and the shiner it will look! So, try to follow our guidelines to ensure the best look of your car throughout the year!
