What is the Most Environmentally Friendly Way I Can Wash My Car Environmentally Safe Car Wash Updated: 11/15/2006 3:41:02 PM Print Article Email Article           Few people realize that washing our cars in our driveways is one of the most environmentally un-friendly chores we can do around the house. Unlike household waste water that enters sewers or septic systems and undergoes treatment before it is discharged into the environment, what runs off from your car goes right into storm drains -- and eventually into rivers, streams, creeks and wetlands where it poisons aquatic life and wreaks other ecosystem havoc. After all, that water is loaded with a witch’s brew of gasoline, oil and residues from exhaust fumes -- as well as the harsh detergents being used for the washing itself. (Getty Images) On the other hand, federal laws in both the U.S. and Canada require commercial carwash facilities to drain their wastewater into sewer systems, so it gets treated before it is discharged back into the great outdoors. And commercial car washes use computer controlled systems and high-pressure nozzles and pumps that minimize water usage. Many also recycle and re-use the rinse water. The International Carwash Association, an industry group representing commercial car wash companies, reports that automatic car washes use less than half the water of even the most careful home car washer. According to one report, washing a car at home typically uses between 80 and 140 gallons of water, while a commercial car wash averages less than 45 gallons per car. If you must wash your car at home, choose a biodegradable soap specifically formulated for automotive parts, such as Simple Green’s Car Wash or Gliptone’s Wash ‘n Glow. Or you can make your own biodegradable car wash by mixing one cup of liquid dishwashing detergent and 3/4 cup of powdered laundry detergent (each should be chlorine- and phosphate-free and non-petroleum-based) with three gallons of water. This concentrate can then be used sparingly with water over exterior car surfaces. Even when using green-friendly cleaners, it is better to avoid the driveway and instead wash your car on your lawn or over dirt so that the toxic waste water can be absorbed and neutralized in soil instead of flowing directly into storm drains or open water bodies. Also, try to sop up or disperse those sudsy puddles that remain after you’re done. They contain toxic residues and can tempt thirsty animals. One way to avoid such problems altogether is to wash your car using any number of waterless formulas available, which are especially handy for spot cleaning and are applied via spray bottle and then wiped off with a cloth. Freedom Waterless Car Wash is a leading product in this growing field. © 2006 HealthNewsDigest.com Enter your ZIP code to compare the savings offered by the discount dental plans in your area. Take the first step toward a healthier smile and start saving today! > Find my dentist > Find a ZIP code             Additional Articles Health Tip: Prevent Mold in the Home Pollution Particles Impair Blood Vessel ... Acrylamide Raises Kidney Cancer Risk Cleaner Air May Threaten Amazon Rainfore... Unraveling the Link Between Genes and En... Local Health Officials Recognize Threat ... Formaldehyde Linked to Lou Gehrig's Dise... Seasonal Flu Outbreaks Start in Asia: St... Health Tip: Improve Indoor Air After a F... Family Study Associates Pesticide Use Wi... Smog's Origins Get Clearer Cleaning Up the World's Sanitation Monkey Gene That Blocks AIDS Viruses Evo... HEPA Filters May Improve Cardiovascular ... U.S. Seeks to Limit Animal Testing of To... Airplane Noise Boosts Blood Pressure Eve... Americans Abandoning National Parks Staying Dry at Beach May Spare Your Stom... Report Shows Dangerous Chemical Can Lea... Heating Plastic Bottles Releases Potenti...

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