How Much Does It Cost to Detail a Car?
Many people assume that by skipping the car wash and doing the car washing at home, they’re helping the environment. But the opposite is actually true.
If you’re planning on getting your car washed, you should think twice before doing it at home. Continue reading and we’ll show you why taking it to the professionals is actually greener than you might think.
Water Runoff
When wastewater in your house goes down the drain, it eventually enters the septic systems or sewers. It then goes through a whole treatment process before finally being discharged into the environment.
When you wash your car outside your house, however, the wastewater runs right off the driveway and down into the nearest storm drain. At some point, that untreated water is going to make its way into wetlands, creeks, streams, and rivers. It could then poison wildlife and wreak other environmental harm as well.
This is known to be especially harmful in urban areas that have a high concentration of cars.
Think about it. That water going down your driveway is now a mixture of residues from exhaust fumes, oil, and gasoline, not to mention the toxic detergents that you used for the actual washing.
Wastewater Is Treated at Commercial Car Washes
Unlike how it might go down in front of your house, there are federal laws in both the United States as well as Canada that require commercial car wash companies to drain their wastewater into a sewer system.
This way, the wastewater will go through a treatment process prior to it being discharged into the natural environment. Commercial car washes also use high-pressure pumps and nozzles as well as computer-controlled systems in order to minimize how much water they use.
There are also many commercial car washes out there that re-use and recycle their rinse water.
The average person, according to the International Car Wash Association, uses between 80 to 140 gallons of water to wash their car. This is compared to the 45 gallons of water that are usually used at a commercial car wash.
Car Washes Have a Financial Interest to Go Green
Think about it. People don’t wash their cars at home that often. So when they do, they may be inclined to go heavy on resources like the soap and the water.
Commercial car washes, on the other hand, don’t want to waste a thing. It’s in their best interest to conserve water, soap, and power so that they don’t waste anything, and thereby look after the bottom line.
The Importance of Knowing More About Automatic Car Washing
There’s nothing wrong with washing your car at home every once in a while. But if you’re doing it for environmental reasons, it’s important that you know the truth.
Commercial car washing is pretty much always the better option. It is easier on the environment and it’s also going to get you a thorough and deep cleaning.
Are you interested in getting your car washed? Contact us today to learn more!
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