Five Green Car Washing Tips

The greenest way to wash your car in St. Petersburg, FL is actually to take it to a professional car wash. The reason is simple; a car wash business must comply with several environmentally safe policies when it comes to chemical use and water run-off. Are you on a tight budget this year like most of us in the Tampa, Clearwater, and Largo areas? Don’t sweat it. You can still do it smart from home with these helpful green tips for washing your car from Crown Kia in St. Petersburg.

Slow Your Flow

Make sure you attach a spray handle to your garden hose that will allow you to restrict the water flow when you’re not using it. We can understand why you don’t want to run back and forth to the house to turn it off, but this is an easy way to reduce water consumption.

Be a Cleaner Snob

That’s right. We at Crown Kia in St. Petersburg strongly encourage you to get picky about the cleaning products you use to wash your car. We won’t judge you. Here’s what you want to pick up: water-based, phosphate-free cleaning products that are biodegradable. The dirty water from our home car wash eventually finds its way into our canals, rivers, everglades, and ocean. Phosphates, sodium, and potassium found in many car wash cleaning products are harmful. They jeopardize our entire aquatic ecosystem.

Stay On The Lawn

You’ll want to make sure no one’s standing on your grass when you carefully drive your car over it for a much more environmentally friendly wash. Washing your car on grass, gravel, or really any absorbent surface is the way to go. Unlike cement, these surfaces will help to filter the gunk out of your dirty water before it seeps into the ground and nearest storm drain.

Easy on the Suds

Let’s say you pick up some environmentally friendly car washing cleaner from our parts department. That’s definitely a step in the right direction, but honestly there is no truly effective cleaning product that is one hundred percent chemical free. Know the expression “a little dab will do ya?” – keep this in mind every time you wash and try your best to only use the amount you need for a good, green clean.

Take It To The Can

Unlike our storm drain water, household water is filtered and treated before it enters our waterways. If you use a bucket, empty it in your toilet, shower or sink to protect our beautiful peninsula.