To Beat Summer Heat, Wash Your Car
03/10/09
Vacation weather may be upon us, but we still have chores to get done. Between work, carting our kids to swimming lessons and mowing the lawn, the list of tasks may seem endless. It is especially difficult to make ends meet in regards to money, now that the price of electricity has gone up and it is far more costly to run our air conditioners and fill our swimming pools. In light of all this, there are ways to cut down on spending and one little thing that can help stretch your money is washing your own vehicle.
Car wash supplies are essential for a do it yourself operation. The first thing you will need is a source of clean running water. If you have a backyard hose with a sprayer, it should work just fine. Make sure that you park as near the hose as possible so that you can be sure it will reach around your car.
Next, you will need a bucket of some sort, which should be big enough to hold about two gallons of water. Soap is the next thing you will need, which is probably the most important part of your car wash. Make sure that you buy soap specially made for car washing rather than household detergents which could damage the finish on your vehicle.
In order to get the soapy water from the bucket onto your car, you will need a good sponge. Some people prefer to use natural sponges, while others like a synthetic sponge. Either of these are fine, and can be purchased at most grocery stores. I have seen recommendations for two separate sponges to be used, one for the wheels and one for the chassis, if you would like.
It is a good idea to at least dry off the outside windows, if not the entire car, after rinsing. Using a household glass cleaner with paper towels to wipe down the inside of the windshield and windows is ideal. Protective rubber spray to keep your tires from cracking can be a good investment. This will keep your tires from cracking and weakening in the heat.
Waxing your car can make it look even more shiny after washing. Car wax can be purchased along with other car wash supplies in most retail stores. Waxing can take a while, but the results are beautiful. Wax not only protects your paint job, but it also enhances the color and sheen of your car to make it stand out. There are so many fun car wash supplies out there for a do it yourself job. Do it yourself car washing can be a surprisingly fun way to conserve cash!
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