We’ve all been there — you finally get your vehicle sparkling clean, only to find it coated in pollen or dirt/road grime just a few hours later. It’s one of the small annoyances of vehicle ownership. So, how do you handle keeping your vehicle clean? Do you roll through a car wash or roll up your sleeves and do it yourself?
💦Professional Car Wash
There are different types of professional car wash service facilities. Some are automated drive-thru washes that clean your car in under 5 minutes with high-tech brushes and jets. Others are full-service washes, where someone cleans and vacuums the inside, scrubs your tires, and more. Many places offer add-ons like wax and tire shine, and some even have monthly plans where you can go as often as you like.
✅The Pros
Convenience and speed which is great for those who have a busy schedule.
Commercial-grade equipment, tools, soaps, and water pressure.
Many car washes recycle water and use eco-friendly detergents.
❌The Cons
Cost over time (single wash vs. membership).
Risk of paint or other damage from older car wash systems.
Less control over problem areas such as bugs, tar, and/or other grime on your car that need to be removed.
💦DIY Car Wash
Do you prefer being in full control and giving your car a good cleaning yourself? This way, you can use products you trust and be sure to cover all the little spots a car wash might miss. You save money and feel a sense of accomplishment.
✅The Pros
Satisfaction of doing it yourself, saving money and paying more attention to detail.
Use the products you prefer for wax, soap, window, wheel cleaner, etc.
Have control over delicate areas of your vehicle.
Lower cost over time.
❌The Cons
Need to have the time to devote to it.
You may damage paint, create swirl marks, etc.
Runoff into storm drains.
When washing your vehicle yourself you should avoid using dish soap or household cleaners which can strip wax and damage paint, abrasive sponges or towels which can cause micro-scratches, and washing in direct sunlight which can lead to soap spots or streaks.
📈Car Wash Industry
According to National Carwash Solutions, the car wash market is booming and will continue to grow. Current projections suggest that the car wash market will reach a value of over $68 billion no later than 2031. As of 2024, there are over 60,000 car wash facilities in the United States, employing approximately 208,000 people.
🛒NCP Panel Member Info
NCP does not collect purchase information on services such as car washes. But, if you buy car wash supplies such as sponges, buckets, glass cleaner, interior car wipes/cleaners, tire cleaner, car wax, and more, please remember to scan the barcode on those items and report the purchases. Thank you!
Regards,
Taylor
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Have always done it myself, but we now have had so many restrictions on using water outside for anything, plus the cost for water in my area is the highest for many miles as I’ve checked in other counties within my state. Without even opening the faucet, we pay a Base fee of $75 plus Tax and a small fee for our local volunteer Fire Department. So you can go on vacation and never use a drop of water and you spend close to $90 a month and we don’t have trash pick up included like it is usually the case in most cities. So i stopped washing myself and pray for rain when driving or occasionally use a drive through car wash. Getting difficult for me now anyway due to severe health issues I’ve been dealing with after a pulmonary embolism and then my heart stopping and being in a coma for a week and a handful of other medical issues. My truck is over 17 years old now and the Texas heat pretty much stripped the paint off; you really can’t tell from a distance since it’s white paint. Most likely it’s going to be my last vehicle anyway before I am going to give up driving; I would’ve done it already but no public transportation available in my area.
I prefer drive through car washes. I used to like DIY at the car wásh but got tired of running out of quarters before I was done.
I usually prefer to wash mine by hand. Once I get it repainted this summer I may invest in a pass for the carwash like my husband has for his car.
Guaranteed to rain no matter if I hand wash or go to a car wash! 🙂
We usually go through a car wash where employees dry the car with rags & vacuum inside the car
We wash our vehicles in the driveway during the rain not a storm. Often , we go through a touch-less carwash which you to pay for 1-5 car washes then we dry it off. Then twice a year we take it to a detailing dealership that goes through it & a Good wax.
Lately I’ve been going through the car wash. I clean the inside out myself with the items they have at the car wash which is very helpful.
Being a stroke survivor I no longer have the privilege of a drivers license. Some aftereffects weave a tangle web for sure.
Do surely miss washing my own car. Therapy! Those are the cons. Pros… no more long days at DMV, No more insurance bill, untimely breakdowns and repair costs. Gas. . You see wlherer.my sarcasm is taking is us. Imagine driving with me. Lol.
Have a great night my NCPeeps!
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Hello Jeffery, I too am approaching the age where I will be dealing with not motoring around any longer. I’m sorry to hear you suffered a stroke and can no longer take part in the privilege of driving. You have stated some good points about the not owning a vehicle aspect any longer and these will definitely soften the blow when it comes to it for me. Thank you and I wish you well.
I prefer to wash our car in the driveway using soap that won’t damage the car’s paint and where I can control the water pressure. However, there are times when we are doing something and picking up people to ride in the car and I want to make a quick trip through the car wash and get on with other business. We never use a professional service. Even though I am approaching 80 years old, I still want to do these things myself while still able. No sense paying someone else to do something I can still do on my own.
I use a hand car wash place. We’re older & need help cleaning up the inside of the car too. We don’t like the swirls some of the automatic car washers leave.
There’s no shame in taking a rag and bucket of soapy water and washing your vehicle in the rain. Lots cheaper than a car wash!!!
Well my car wash experience in Okc, OK has been fun. Well o bought my car about 3 weeks ago and I enjoy going to the Car wash off of 39th Expressway. It Shines, Wax, Buff, windows and tires for only $2.00 and free ya second visit…. Love ittt. GO CHECK THEM OUT
We’ve always washed our cars ourselves BUT now that we are older and less agile we always use auto car thru wash establishments. Unfortunately not able to always be out in sunshine doing those little pleasures. But occasionally we do try. Good lad Michigan gal.
I use a monthly car wash subscription… I can wash my car for as many times as I want in a month.. worth it
I do it myself. Once in a while for touch up go to the automotive wash. But real detailing requires a little bit of elbow grease. I find the acrylic wax gives a better finish to the paint coat.
always wash “the beast” in our driveway
GMC 3500 HD “dualie” doesn’t fit in any of the automatic car washes and the staffed ones charge $25 extra… so DIY is way cheaper