Some people feel that using a car wash can damage the environment, stating that the chemicals can end up in rivers and harm wildlife, or they are concerned that the car wash uses too much water at a time when we are being warned that there is a shortage of water and it will only get worse.
Many of today’s car washes recycle water (which saves about 75% of the water used), use rain water instead of mains water and also use interceptors to ensure that the chemicals are removed before used water drains off into the environment.
You can clean a car just using water: this often leads to streaking (unless carefully chamois leathered off). Some people use household washing up liquid, but this can damage paintwork. For best results, you should use chemicals designed for the job, in conjunction with the right system for delivering it. The best chemical washes remove the dirt and apply a layer of wax polish leaving the car gleaming: this also has the benefit of making it more difficult for future dirt to stick to the vehicle.