How Often Should You Wash Your Car? The Ultimate Guide

A new vehicle is a big investment, and you likely want it to look good for as long as possible. Regular maintenance and car washing are two ways to make that happen. Here we will discuss what’s involved in regular car washing and where you can find all the resources you need to keep your vehicle in tiptop shape.

Why Regular Car Washing Is Necessary

Day in and out, your vehicle is exposed to countless contaminants that can have a negative impact on your car’s finish. Some may call this a superficial concern, but anything that damages a car’s protective top coat risks damaging the structural components over time as well. Once rust takes hold, it doesn’t let go, and a top way to prevent it is to ensure that the top coat stays pristine.

Common environmental contaminants like tree sap and pollen, bird droppings and insect remains, road salt, grit, grime, tar, and other corrosive or abrasive substances can slowly eat away at your vehicle’s top coat and paint job. These compromised areas can then let moisture in, and the corrosion begins. Regular car washing removes debris before they get a chance to cause issues. Obvious or not, if your car is regularly on the road, there’s buildup that needs to be removed from the car’s body and undercarriage.

How Often Should You Wash Your Car?

Industry experts recommend that the average driver should wash their vehicle about every two weeks, or every other week. This level of regularity means that, whether you can see them or not, harmful contaminants are being removed, your car is being protected, and you’re avoiding long-term damage.

That said, every two weeks isn’t a set-in-stone recommendation. For instance, if you’re regularly driving through muck and mud, wintery slush and road salt, or if your vehicle is simply out on the road more than the average person’s, then weekly or as-needed washes, in addition to biweekly washes, is a better bet. That will keep paint intact and help to preserve the resale value of your vehicle.

Even if you don’t plan to sell, there’s a psychological boost to driving a clean car, and everyone can benefit from that! If you get regular rain you might be tempted to think that this suffices for a car wash, but that’s far from true. It can help to loosen stuck-on grime, but it can also carry dust down from the air, kick up road debris and dirt, and make undercarriage washing even more important. Truth be told, you should regularly wash your car even when you’re getting frequent rain.

Should You Wash And Wax?

Using either a wax or ceramic coating is a great way to protect your investment. Ceramic coating is stronger than wax, but both will help grime and grit to rinse away without aggressive scrubbing or harsh cleansers. They form a barrier between your vehicle’s top coat and the wide world your car encounters every day. Wax is a temporary fix, while ceramic coatings are a longer-term solution–they will need to be reapplied every few years, depending on vehicle use and exposure. 

At our center for exterior and interior auto detailing in North Olmsted, Ohio, the Andy’s Autowash crew hand applies carnauba wax to your freshly cleaned and polished car exterior. Ceramic coating is applied as part of our exterior detailing services once a full exterior reconditioning has been done.

Should You Only Wash The Exterior Of Your Car?

Definitely not. Your car’s interior has a direct impact on your health and well-being, and can be either a source of pride or embarrassment. If you or your family members suffer from allergies or asthma, or if you have pets in your car frequently, then interior detailing is even more important. Taking care of your car’s interior is just as important as regular exterior car washing. In fact, the two go hand in hand–it’s far easier to ensure that you aren’t bringing in dirt and grime into your clean interior when the exterior is regularly washed. When you regularly have your eyes on all systems and surfaces of your vehicle, it will maintain a good condition for as long as possible and you’ll preserve the integrity of your vehicle and the investment you made when you purchased it.

If the interior of your vehicle has gotten past the point where you want to deal with it, from roadtrips, kids, pets, sports practices and just the busyness of life, it’s time to treat yourself with an interior detailing package from Andy’s Autowash and Detailing Center. And if your vehicle has a leather interior, regular cleaning and treating of the leather with conditioners is vital to keeping it in good condition. We have all the products and services you need, right here!

Your Car Wash In North Olmsted and Source for Auto Detailing in Cleveland

Washing your car is part of regular preventive maintenance, along with changing the oil, brakes, and tires. Regular washing, waxing and detailing are essential to keeping your car in the best shape possible. These best practices also protect your vehicle from anything you may encounter while out on the road. And this isn’t just about show–taking care of your car is a smart way to make the most of your initial investment. Thankfully, Andy’s Autowash and Detailing Center offers unlimited wash packages starting at less than a dollar a day! It’s well worth the price, and the convenience can’t be beat. 

Andy's Autowash and center for exterior and interior detailing in North Olmsted, Ohio is committed to providing the best car washes and car detailing services in the Cleveland area. Explore our packages for both interior and exterior car detailing and car washes. Use one of our coupons or special deals to try out our services today–we just know you’ll be impressed!