How Often Should You Wash Your Car?

Washing a vehicle is very important, and we usually see three types of “car washers”. You have the obsessive washers and those that wait until their car is covered in dirt, pollen and grime to wash it. And somewhere in the middle is the average person like you. In between obsessive washing and simply not caring is that place where you can keep your car in top shape, not jut aesthetically but from a resale and value standpoint.

How Often Should You Wash Your Car, Then?

This “sweet spot” is definitely where you want to be. But how often do you have to wash your car to be there? The answer is: it depends. I know, not exactly what you wanted to hear.. but let me tell you why. There are MANY things that contribute to how dirty your car gets, and how quickly it collects grime. Here are some examples:

• Where you live- do you live in a heavily wooded area or near a beach? Salty air car wreak havoc on your vehicle’s undercarriage and paint job!
• Where you park- do you usually park under a tree or an electrical wire where birds frequently sit? Even tree sap can damage your paint!
• Where you drive- do you do a lot of city driving? Air pollution can leave chemical residue that eats away at your paint.

..And the list goes on! You must keep dust, dirt and grime from adhering itself to your paint and possibly damaging your paint. Schmidt’s Collision & Glass recommends washing your vehicle at least once a week to prevent any dirt buildup and paint damage.

A good rule of thumb is that if you live in an area where your car is free of salty air and sand, and if you don’t have to contend with tree sap, bird droppings and dead bugs, you can wash your car about once a month and still keep it in good shape. Lots of city driving? You may want to visit your local car wash once a week!

Ultimately, a couple of times a month is a good bet to ensure that you’re not waiting too long to get rid of harmful chemicals, residues, salt, sand, tar, grease and grime. Visit your local Valley Car Wash to start preserving your vehicle’s value.