How Often Should I Wash My Car?

We’ve all spaced out during our morning commute to ask ourselves the question, “When was the last time I washed my car?”

If you ever answered the question with, “I don’t know”, it’s time to drive your car through a power wash once—maybe even twice!

I recommend you avoid the question of whether you can remember the last time you washed your car by creating a carwash calendar!

Before you do, consider this: the point of washing your car is to preserve the pearly paint that lies below Mother Nature’s torment, so wash your car weekly or monthly depending on the season, weather and activity!

If you’re like me and love a good road trip, I recommend you wash bugs and bird droppings off your car during the expedition rather than facing the woes of caked on bug juice a week later. Not only will it be easier to remove the grime when it’s fresh, it will also spare your paint job some damage as the bugs are likely to take some paint with them.

Wash your car after snowstorms. The salt used to melt icy roads can damage the paint job of your car. During this time of year, I like to get the undercarriage of my vehicle washed as the slush and snow can push muck in hard to reach areas! This feature is offered at most automatic car washes for a small additional fee.

If you’re taking your car off-roading, I recommend washing your car in between rides—even if it’s just a quick rinse. It will go a long way in preventing dirt build-up.

Taking your car to the automated car wash is definitely the easy way to go, but who said the easy route would be fun? Washing your car by hand can be a great way to become familiar with its aerodynamic curves and bumps that have given you stories to tell.

Bear in mind that washing your car by hand takes dedication. You’ll need to use products that are dedicated to keeping your car clean without leaving a scratch! Household cleaners will not do.

After I’ve spent the time to wash my car, I like to give it a polish with a coat of wax twice a year. This helps my car maintain its shine for months to come.

After reading this blog, I hope you can answer the question, “When was the last time I washed my car?” with more than an “I don’t know”!