DIY vs Professional Car Wash: Which Is Better for Your Car?

These days, you can find instructions online to do any task yourself, along with product recommendations and tips to optimize your outcome. That’s as true for DIY car washing as it is for anything else. But this approach always begs the question, just because you can, should you? Generations of car owners swear by the at-home, DIY car wash, but as time goes on, technologies change, and there’s more to consider when making an informed decision.

Here we’ll touch on the details about a DIY vs. a professional car wash, and which one is best when it comes to protecting the investment you’ve made in your vehicle. Let’s get into it.

Pros and Cons of DIY Car Washing

Many car owners could think that if they have a hose, a sponge, a bucket, and some liquid soap, they’re more than ready to wash that shiny new vehicle sitting in their driveway or garage. But there’s a lot more to know. For instance, the effectiveness of at-home car washing can be questionable. Harsh detergents can damage protective coatings and leave residue, and improper equipment and techniques can end up causing more harm than good, leaving scuffs, swirl marks, and scratches on your once pristine topcoat.

On top of the higher risk of damage to the paint finish, it’s difficult to get underneath your car when you’re washing it yourself. The undercarriage is particularly at risk from road salt, tar, grime and more contaminants encountered in daily drives. A thorough cleaning includes a robust undercarriage wash, which rinses away potentially harmful or corrosive materials and protects the life of your car’s structural elements.

Another factor to consider is convenience and how much time you have available. This will be very different for each individual, but before you opt for home washing, ensure that you have the bandwidth to dedicate to regular car washing, as it’s really the regularity that’s key in keeping it looking its best. If you’re taking care of a busy family and you’re always on the go or traveling for work, a DIY car wash can feel like an unwelcome chore, and you could then risk leaving it dirty for too long, eventually leading to paint damage and corrosion. This is especially true in the heat of summer or the cold of winter, when it’s impractical and sometimes unsafe to be outdoors, but ironically, these are some of the most important times to keep your car clean! Summer heat can also dry water so quickly that it leaves behind water spots that are hard to remove and contain potentially corrosive elements.

Here’s a news flash: washing your car at home may not be as eco-friendly as you assume! It’s a well-known fact that a DIY car wash at home uses far more water than a professional car wash service. The numbers are telling–as opposed to the roughly 40 gallons of water that Andy's Autowash uses per car, a DIY car wash can use up to 120 gallons. Yes, that’s triple the amount! On top of excess water use–which could present an unexpected expense for a homeowner if done regularly–the water also then runs off and can carry chemicals and other environmental contaminants into waterways. This can have a serious negative impact on local ecology. So much so that the EPA has issued strict guidelines for vehicle owners to follow, everywhere in the country. It’s also worth checking with local authorities or your HOA to see if it’s even legal to wash your car at home–sometimes, it’s not.

DIY washing certainly is cheaper upfront, depending on whether you opt for high-end products or what you have lying around at home. It also gives you full control over the car washing process, and can give you a sense of personal satisfaction and accomplishment–there’s no denying these pros. However, there’s more to it than that. Any initial savings can quickly fade when looking at the costs involved with water use, paint damage, corrosion, and ineffective cleaning. Then there’s the environmental toll that can cause knock-on issues down the line. Altogether, the negatives can really add up. 

Pros and Cons of Professional Car Washing

It’s time to take an honest look at professional car washing–is it worth the hype?

Price is probably the biggest gripe that people may have with a professional car wash service. That said, it doesn’t cost much more than your favorite coffeeshop treat for an exterior car wash in North Olmsted, and it pays dividends by better preserving your car’s paint, which in turn protects against corrosion and costly repairs. Opt for an unlimited package, and the cost per use drops dramatically, especially if you are washing your car as frequently as you should be. Add on frequent specials, and the cost to maintain a perfectly shiny exterior isn’t so unreasonable.

Is a professional car wash better for your car’s exterior? The clear answer is yes. Car wash operators invest time and money in purchasing state-of-the-art equipment, technologies, and cleaning products that offer a thorough clean without the potential for abrasion and damage. They also use eco-friendly soaps that are formulated to be gentle on your car’s paint finish while still being able to remove stubborn tree sap, bird droppings, insect remains, road salt, and other kinds of environmental grime. The thorough but gentle cleaning removes potentially harmful substances while protecting your car’s top coat. That’s a fine balance to strike, and it’s hard to achieve in a DIY car wash. Remember too that professional equipment is easily able to give your car’s undercarriage a thorough washing.

When it comes to convenience, there’s really no contest. Being able to swing into an Andy’s Autowash on your way to or from work or between errands can’t be beat. You also avoid needing to store, maintain, and lug around all the supplies necessary for a car wash and detail–that’s especially important if you’re in a living situation that doesn’t afford you anywhere to conveniently wash your car. If you’re a busy professional, you have children at home, are a caregiver, or you generally don’t have the luxury of free time, then a DIY car wash just doesn't make sense–it can quickly become a chore that gets pushed aside by all of life’s other, more important responsibilities. 

We’ve already talked about how a DIY at-home car wash is not resource-efficient, but let’s talk about how a professional car wash is! Not only does it use far less water, but the gentle soaps used are formulated so that they will readily break down while also being less harmful to the environment. On top of using eco-friendly cleaning products, professional car wash stations also reclaim and recapture water, instead of allowing it to run off and enter local waterways. This reduces the environmental impact and enables water to be thoroughly cleaned and filtered. 

Beyond the car wash itself, professional shops also offer additional services that you may need from time to time, like interior and exterior detailing and traditional wax or more durable ceramic coating for the ultimate protection of your car’s finish.

All these benefits and perks aside, there are some factors that folks may see as being cons. These could include things like the cost, travel and wait times, or, rarely, vehicle size limitations. But overall, the benefits of a professional car wash outweigh any minor inconveniences. And at Andy’s Autowash, we pride ourselves on a quick wash, getting your vehicle looking great and you back on the road, on your way to your next destination. It’s up to each car owner to weigh the pros and cons of both a DIY car wash and professional services, but after considering all the factors at play, we think that for most car owners, the answer is pretty clear.

Professional Car Washing and Auto Detailing in Cleveland

Did you feel that a DIY car wash was best prior to reading our article? Did we change your mind? Truth be told, the same holds true for auto detailing as well. One could say we’re biased, but we’d just say that everyone has a specialty, and ours is providing top-notch car washing and auto detailing in the Cleveland area. We’ve already done the work and invested in the right products, equipment, training, and technology to ensure that your vehicle looks great, every wash. Looking for a car wash in North Olmsted, Ohio? Take advantage of our expertise–we’re right here, ready to help. Contact us today!