Which Is More Cost Effective? Handwashing VS Machine Washing Your Car

Automobiles are generally the second largest investment that a person will make in their lifetime. Proper care must be taken to protect this investment and one of the most important ways to do so is by regularly washing your car. But which method is more cost-effective in the long run: handwashing or machine washing? Here are the pros and cons of both methods.

Why Keep Your Car Clean?

Having a clean car can be an extension of your personality and a display of your values. There is a certain courtesy to others by not driving around in a dirty car, especially if they are your passengers. But more importantly, keeping your car clean can actually help it last longer. All the dirt and grime that builds up on your car over time can cause premature wear and tear, rusting, and other damage. The longer you leave that grime to meld itself to your paint job, the harder it will be to scrub it off and the more likely it is to cause permanent damage to your car’s finish.

Handwashing

Most of us can remember Saturday mornings with a bucket of suds and the garden hose, slathering up the car by hand and then giving it a good rinse. The most obvious advantage to handwashing your car is that you can target specific areas that need a little more attention, and go back for a second pass if necessary. This is especially important if you have recently been driving in muddy or sandy conditions. Those wheels of yours are magnets for grime, and if you don’t get it all off the first time, it’s not a big deal to go back and hit them again.

Another advantage to handwashing is that you can control the amount of water pressure being used. When you are using a hose, it is easy to accidentally use too much pressure and blast away some of that top layer of wax. You can take it slow and steady and have a good time while doing it. Car washing by hand is always more fun when you have company!

Some of the cons of handwashing are that it can take a lot longer than using a machine, and it can be pretty tough on your back. Bending over a bucket of soapy water for an extended period can end the fun quickly, especially when the sun is beating down on you. Then you have the clean-up time to put away buckets and other cleaning supplies.

Machine Washing

The main advantage of machine washing your car is that it is much faster than washing it by hand. If you are short on time or just don’t feel like spending an hour scrubbing your car, then this is the method for you. You can also get a more consistent wash with less effort, and there are a variety of washing and waxing options available. Need to wash your engine or deep clean your wheels? There are settings for those, too!

Another advantage to machine washing is that most places that offer this service will also have vacuum service, garbage dumpsters, and hooks that make detailing your interior mats a breeze. And, when you’re finished you can hop into your sparkling clean car and just drive away!

Cost Measurements

Deciding which method is more cost-effective is a tough one because there isn’t one answer. The right answer for you depends on how you value your time, and how easy or difficult physical labor is for you. The average cost of washing your car at home is about $0.25 per gallon of water used, plus the cost of supplies, while the average cost of a professional car wash is about $6.00.

We’re going to call it a tie, but if you factor in your time and the wear and tear on your body, machine washing is well worth the extra money. The next time someone pens a message into the grime on your car, consider swinging by the car wash and bathing your chariot!