Waterless car washes (clean car, clean conscience)

waterless car cleaner

Many people are unaware that when you visit a traditional car wash (or wash cars yourself or either at supermarket car washes), oily water goes untreated down storm drains and into the sea, and causes mini oil spills). Which harms marine wildlife.

Also read how to make roads safer for wildlife.

Avoid home and supermarket car washes

Another reason to avoid supermarket car washes, is concern over worker welfare, often paid below minimum wage without protective clothing.

Eco-friendly car wash companies use recycled water.

Use a waterless car wash kit 

Rubbit is a kit to clean cars without water, designed by two airline pilots, who worked with chemists to design a foaming formula to absorb dirt without rinsing. Over 2 weeks, this kit saves over 3000 gallons of water.

Soak the included Microfiber towels in a bucket of water (the detergent has already washed them, so no need to launder in the washing machine). Use a sink filter to catch microplastics. 

Use charcoal bags as natural air fresheners

seek bamboo car fresheners

The company also makes eco-friendly dissolving windshield window tablets (give the air-fresheners a miss, they are made with fake scent).

Instead use charcoal purifying bag that are scent-free, so good if travelling with babies, pets or allergies). 

Avoid smoking in your car. If you smoke outside, use a pocket ashtray to avoid littering.

How to remove bird poop of paintwork

This is best removed immediately to avoid burning paint and scratches (bird poop contains seeds!)

  • Mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda in a litre of warm water, shake to mix and spray from a bottle. Leave to soak for 10 minutes, then rinse off with a wet cloth or hose.
  • To prevent birds pooping on your car (apart from not parking under trees!), a survey found that birds hardly ever poop on green cars!

Use car trash bags inside your vehicle 

Tossits car trash bags

  • Use a car trash bag to store rubbish, until you get home. Never throw it out the window (this attracts scavenging wildlife).
  • Use plastic-free sponges with eco unscented cleaner.
  • Use a windscreen cover or park your car facing east, to naturally defrost in the morning). Or rub half an onion on screen the night before (the oil stops freezing – keep onions away from pets).
  • Recycle empty de-icer  aerosols with household recycling. Take cans with product (or any that hiss) to hazardous waste department.

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