Can you wash your car twice a week? Once a week? Is it bad to wash it even every day?

No matter what new car you get, automobiles are still a major financial investment. Therefore, it’s natural to want to take great care of your vehicle, and the easiest way to do that is through frequent car washes and cleanings. This is a weekly routine for some, and for others, it’s almost an obsession. As you’re washing your car every week, or even multiple times each week, one has to wonder if too many car washes can damage your car.

We’ll answer that question in this blog post from Hilton Head Honda. Continue reading to learn more. Then, contact our dealership near Savannah, GA, plus Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, and Charleston, SC, if you have any further inquiries.

Are Too Many Car Washes Damaging Your Car?

Let us put your fears to rest. While washing your car improperly can damage it, cleaning it as often as you’d like won’t hurt your vehicle, even if you do it every week. Keep in mind, however, that if you wax your car, you may need to reapply that wax after each wash, depending on how well it holds up. Therefore, washing it every day or even every week could be seen as excessive, unnecessary, and more work than is needed—but if you have the urge to wash, wash away.

The frequency of car washes in itself is a safe practice. The only thing to keep in mind is that more washes mean more opportunities for an improper job that could damage the vehicle’s paint.

How to Wash Your Car Without Damaging the Paint

What you’re most worried about protecting when washing your car is the paint and clear coat. If you’re washing your vehicle improperly, you will do damage to it, and washing improperly more frequently will do even more damage.

So, if you like to do frequent car washes, here are some tips to keep in mind so that “overwashing” your vehicle doesn’t do any significant harm…

Properly handwashing a vehicle is best, but if you do use automatic washes, only use touch-free.
If some scrubbing is necessary, be gentle and only use microfiber sponges or cloths to avoid scratches.

Whenever possible, use only vehicle-safe soap and water for your washes. Specialized vehicle cleaners are made to both wash and protect your car’s paint. Other cleaners can strip wax and other finishes off your car, meaning you’ll need to reapply.
When drying, you should use a microfiber cloth. Dry the vehicle thoroughly so that you don’t leave water spots; but, again, be gentle and don’t overdo it in areas that are already dry.

Along with your cleaners and products, it’s good to have two buckets with you: one for cleaning and one for rinsing. In one bucket, prepare the soap solution and get your suds going—this is what you’ll clean the car with. The other bucket is for just water. This allows you to rinse off dirt, sediment, and other particles easily, which means they won’t stick to your cloth and be dragged further around your car.

Finish your washes with wax or paint protection. These products help to seal your car’s exterior and add an extra layer of security and peace of mind. It also helps to give your car a sleek and shiny finish, making it especially easy on the eyes.

What Should I Avoid When Washing My Car?

When talking about the right way to wash your car, it’s also important to know what things you shouldn’t do.

Keeping these tips in mind when washing your car will help maintain its health and appearance. Whether you’re washing your car frequently or every once in a while, these tips remain important…

• Sponges: Though normally a good all-cleaning product, sponges can actually do more harm than good as you wash. Grit, grain, and other small hard objects can become caught in the sponge and then dragged across the paint. This could cause a scratch that requires an expert to repair.
• Air drying: You may be tempted to let your car dry out in the sun to save yourself time. As appealing as that may be, it’s better to hand-dry your car’s exterior. Watermarks can dry into your car’s paint and require more work to correct.
• Sunlight: Just like air drying should be avoided, so too should the sun itself, particularly on hot days. Your car’s exterior can quickly become dangerously hot to keep your hands on for too long. Not only that, but the water may reach a near-boiling point and create intense concentrated heat on your car, burning away your paint finish.

Some simple preparation and planning will help you wash your car correctly. Since the real threat to your car is improper washing, rather than how often you clean it, these are great things to keep in mind.  Give yourself enough time to give your car the TLC it needs and come with the right tools to keep your ride in great health.

How Often Should You Really Be Washing Your Car?

The real question here isn’t about how much car washing is too much. The real question you should be asking is when you should wash your vehicle and how often. Thankfully, the answer to that question is just as simple: Wash your vehicle whenever it’s dirty. That’s it.

If your car is dirty, give it a wash. If it isn’t that dirty, cut yourself and your car a break and go on a fun-filled drive. You’ll be set for lots of travels when your car is cleaned and ready to roll.

Many drivers tend to stick to schedules when it comes to washing their cars, such as bi-weekly. If your ride is becoming dirty enough to need a wash this often, then an every-other-week cleaning is fine. If you aren’t using your car that often and it’s still clean looking, then you’re safe to hold off on your next wash.

Learn More About Car Washes Today

Again, you can’t wash your car too much to do any significant damage as long as you have it cleaned properly.

To learn more about life with your vehicle in Savannah, Georgia, or beyond, check back to the Hilton Head Honda blog. Otherwise, contact our dealership near Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, and Charleston, South Carolina with questions or to schedule service.

We look forward to hearing from you!