How Often Should You Wash Your Car to Keep It Clean?

There’s a reason why the car wash service industry is expected to reach $1.3 billion in value by the year 2027. A good car wash isn’t just for appearances. It can prolong both the paint and exterior life of your vehicle.

However, there is a lot of debate about how often you should keep your car clean. So, how often should you wash your car? And can you wash your car too much?

If you want to discover the answer to these questions, you’re using the perfect resource.

How Often Should You Wash Your Car?

The rule of thumb is to wash your car every two weeks. However, in some cases, you might want to increase that amount. For example, if you live in an area with a lot of trees, your car might gather bird droppings.

The chemicals in bird poop can strip away the paint from your vehicle. The same goes for people in winter climates. Salt on the road gathers on your paint and can ruin it if left there. So if you live in a cold area, increase the amount that you wash it.

What Should You Use to Wash Your Car?

Now that you know how often you should wash your car, you’re likely asking yourself, What soap can I use to wash my car? You don’t need to invest in fancy soap products for your car. Dish soap will do.

Baby shampoo, diluted vinegar, and baking soda for tough stains and streaks are also great options for a car wash soap alternative. Alternatively, you can take your vehicle to a professional car wash with a sponge.

Car Washing Limit

Maybe you enjoy washing your car once or twice per week. If so, you might be asking yourself, Can you wash your car too much? The good news is that as long as you’re doing it properly, you can’t wash your car too much.

Why Car Washing and Maintenance is Important

The average cost of an American automobile has steadily risen throughout the years. However, as this resource notes, it shot up in 2022 due to a spike in variable costs.

Because of the high costs associated with buying a new or used car, it’s never been more important to take care of your vehicle. Regular washing is a vital part of maintaining the exterior of your car.

However, it’s vital to remember that it’s only one piece of the pie. You also need to be thinking about other vital maintenance services, like oil changes and brake repairs.

That way, you prolong the life of your car for as long as possible. Make sure to check out our guide for some essential tips surrounding vehicle maintenance.

Need Car Maintenance Advice? Contact Express Auto Service

We hope this guide helped you answer the question, How often should you wash your car? Here at Express Auto Service, we’re not just passionate about providing exceptional maintenance and repair services.

We also want to empower car owners with auto tips to prolong the life of their vehicles. Maybe that’s why we have a 97% approval rate from hundreds of customers.

So if you have any questions about your car, come find out using this Google map today.

Owner | + posts

Mark Ritchie is the Owner and Manager of Express Auto Service. With more than 25 years of automotive experience, he is ASE Certified and a Virginia Emissions Inspector. Mark shares practical automotive maintenance and repair insights to help drivers make informed decisions about caring for their vehicles.

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