How Often You Should Wash Your Car…The Complete Guide?
Getting a good car wash your car once every 2 weeks is what many experts recommend.
The frequency, however, is relative and depends on many factors.
Introduction:
In this article, you will see how often you get a car wash may vary between each person and depends on many factors.
Things like seasonal changes, your geographic location, and usage all impact how frequently you should have a car wash.
How Often Should You Wash Your Car In Different Weather Conditions?
According to some industry experts, washing your car every two weeks should be the general norm.
This can however be misleading as everyone has a different set of circumstances.
So how often you wash your car will depend on a few actors.
Washing Your Car In Winter
It is important to wash your car more often in the winter months during the extreme cold where heavy ice snow and rain occur.
This should be at least once a week or at least have it hosed down to get rid of corrosive road salt.
Salt is harmful to your car’s paint when left on the surface and this should be removed regularly?
7 Ways to Protect Your Car From the Winter Elements
Winter is the time for snow, ice, and frost. It is also the time when your car needs to be protected from these elements.
Here are 7 ways to protect your car from winter elements:
- Keep the surface free of dust and debris
- Wash more frequently
- Waxing more often
- Keep it dry
- Use covered parking if possible
- Get a car cover
- Apply rust/corrosion treatment
Washing Your Car In Summer
Wash your car every two weeks in the summer months unless you live in extreme conditions
If it is very hot and humid then you should do so more often.
Also, how often you drive your car and the distance and speed that your travel will also be a factor.
Should you travel for long distances on an open road and at speed then bugs and insects collide with your automobile and need to be cleaned off quickly.
Protecting Your Car In Summer
With a few tips and tricks and car washing hacks, you can have a clean car all year round including in the hot summer weather.
- Park undercover
- Park in the shade when traveling
- Use a sunshade to protect the car interior
- Use a car cover if no covered parking is available
- Beware of bird droppings when parking under trees.
- Keep the car’s paint free of dirt and dust.
Rainy Location
Certain regions will impact how frequently you wash your car.
If you live in a location with no severe climate conditions, then every two weeks seems to be the general rule.
Other areas that will impact:
- A rural location with dirt roads
- Wet and muddy areas
- Coastal Areas
Travel Routine
Your daily traveling routine is vital and affects how often should you wash your car
- Driving on dirt roads
- Traveling in a muddy location
- Close to the ocean with road salt
- Driving long distances with insects dirt stuck on headlamps and grill
Parking
Do you have covered parking when parked at home and at work?
If not, then regular car washing of the entire vehicle is necessary more often.
This is important to keep the exterior surface of your car clean and free of dirt and dust.
In addition, it will help to protect the car’s finish from the harmful rays of the sun.
Waxing also adds a protective layer and prevents more harm.
Other causes that result from open parking.
- Animal droppings
- Rain
- Acid rain
- Snow
- Ice
- Sun
- Rust
- Water Spots
- Dust
- Sand
- Debris
- Bugs
Is It Bad To Wash Your Car too often?
Car owners should be aware that it is not necessary to wash their vehicle more than what is needed for your circumstances.
Too many visits to automatic car washes could and the use of car wash soap could cause the car’s paint to lose its luster and shine.
Why It Is Important To Wash Your Car Regularly?
Washing your car on a regular basis is essential to protect your investment and keep it in a good condition.
This protects the resale value and also gives you a sense of pride.
Benefits Of Washing Your Car
- Keeps your car looking clean and shiny
- Clears away dirt, brake dust, and debris from the surface
- Gets rid of bird droppings and other items that could damage the paint job
- Expels bugs and insects
- Removes road salt, animal droppings bugs, and more
- Helps to maintain the value
- Makes it more appealing to potential buyers
- Prevents rust and corrosion
- Protects paint job from fading
- Saves money in costly repairs due to corrosion and rust
- Gives you a sense of pride
Carwash or Handwash… Which is Better For Your Car?
They both have their advantages and disadvantages so it largely depends on what you are looking for in a clean.
Many times however this is not up to you as circumstances dictate.
Which Method Should You Use?
Washing Your Car By Hand
- You can save money on car washes
- You get a better clean
- Decide what cleaning detergent to use
- Don’t have to queue
- Save money
Visiting A Carwash
Using an automatic car wash for car washing is an option to keep your vehicle clean and has many advantages.
- Faster
- To busy If you don’t have much spare time make use of a carwash
- If you live in a highrise or a confined space then a carwash is the only option.
- You don’t have much time
- Don’t like the hands-on approach
- Convenient
It is not easy to find the time to do it, and it can be difficult to find the right place to do it. The most common way of cleaning a car is by using a carwash.
However, some people prefer hand washing their cars because they think that it provides better results. Which method should you use?
If you want your car to be sparkling clean and shiny, then you should go with hand washing because this will provide better results than using a carwash.
However, if you are looking for convenience and speed, then the best option would be using a carwash because this will save you time and effort while still providing good results.
How Often Should You Wax Your Car?
You don’t need to have your car waxed with every wash but doing so every two months should be sufficient.
This is crucial if you want that unseen protection for your paintwork.
Waxing will help to protect your car and repel any unwanted substances that could cause damage. These include the following:
- Insects
- Dirt
- Mud
- Salt
It will help to maintain the look and natural luster of the paint for a very long time.
You should definitely consider having your car waxed periodically as the benefits are invaluable.
It is a small price to pay for lasting beauty and quality.
When Should You Do A Full Car Detail?
You should do full auto detailing 2-3 times a year to keep both the interior and exterior in pristine condition.
The frequency of full car detailing will depend on circumstances including the environment in which it is driven.
For example, a car that is driven in an urban environment will need to be detailed more often than a car that is driven in a rural environment.
It is important to detail your car regularly because it will help keep your car looking newer for longer.
Regular detailing will also help prevent the buildup of dirt and grime on your car’s exterior, which can result in a dull, cloudy appearance.
How Often Should You Clean Your Car Interior?
Once a month or when you get a full-service car wash but is not as critical as the exterior.
However, if you have a family and allow pets in the car then more frequent interior cleaning makes sense.
Do not eat in the car as crumbs and food particles get lodged in crevices and in your seat fabric.
This will need deep cleaning of seats to get it back to normal.
Oil and grease also penetrate the steering wheel and, this will require specialized steering wheel cleaning or auto detailing.
To keep your car interior clean do not eat and drink inside, but if you do then clean up immediately after.
Should You Clean Your Car Undercarriage?
In cold regions where snow and ice are experienced, it is essential to clean the underside of your vehicle.
Salt is spread on roadways and this corrosive substance attaches to the undercarriage of your car.
Living in rural regions with dirt roads is another reason to clean the undercarriage.
Dirt and dust get trapped in dry seasons and when it rains you are left with the issue of mud.
Conclusion:
Everyone has a different set of overall living conditions and this will impact how often you wash the exterior.
Overall, no matter what conditions you experience, it is best to keep the surface of your vehicle clean, dry, and free of dirt, dust, and debris.
In addition, try to park undercover if possible.
