How Often Should You Wash Your Car: A Comprehensive Guide

You know the feeling. The sun comes out, and you look outside and think: Should I wash my car? It’s hard to keep track of when you last did. And the only thing that prompts you to wash it again is good weather or unbearable grime. Hopefully, it’s not bad enough that someone has written “Clean me” on your bumper.

How often you should wash your car is a fantastic question. In this guide, we’ll run you through an ultimate cleaning schedule - for all types of car usage.

How Often Should You Wash Your Car?

For the average driver, the answer lies somewhere between two weeks and once a month. When deciding on car wash frequency, it does vary depending on usage. Someone regularly thundering down dusty or muddy roads will undoubtedly need to wash their vehicle more than an inner-city weekly food shopper. Use your initiative. At the end of the day, knowing when is the best time to wash your car is about judging when it’s dirty.

If you don’t wash your car regularly, any lingering salt can cause corrosion and damage to the bodywork. Furthermore, the muckier the exterior, the more likely the paint is to chip. Eventually, it risks both aesthetic and functional damage.

Inside, muck and grime can cause dampness, providing a breeding ground for bacteria. Bacteria can pose a health risk, especially when inhaled.

Lastly, mucky windows reduce your vision when driving. Nobody wants a dirty car that causes hazardous driving — stick to that two week to once-a-month goal.

How To Wash a Car

Washing a car properly isn’t as simple as just heading to a three-minute car wash, as fun as that is. You’ll do a much more thorough job manually.

Before you begin, what can you wash a car with? It’s essential to be able to answer the question “What do you need to wash a car?” so you can stock up on products beforehand. 

Here are a few must-haves for your shopping list:

• A hose extension

• Buckets and sponges

• A stiff brush

• Car wash soap

• Car wax

• A microfiber cloth for polishing

• Glass cleaner

• Leather conditioner

Once you’ve stocked up on all those items, it’s time to embark on six simple steps:

1. First, do a practical sweep of the vehicle, removing obvious rubbish and pulling the windscreen wipers away from the glass.

2. Hose down the car and scrub with your car wash soap and sponges. Start from the top down to avoid cleaning patches twice.

3. Remove and clean the car mats, leaving them to dry in a sunny spot.

4. Scrub and hose your tires to remove small rocks and grime.

5. Hoover and wipe down your car’s interior.

6. Apply car wax, glass cleaner, and leather conditioner as final touches.

Extra Tip

Have you ever wondered what is the best time to wash your car? Well, since you ideally need a shady spot (nobody likes touching hot cars), opt for the morning or late afternoon. Similarly, try to wash your vehicle on a dry day.

How Much Does It Cost To Wash A Car?

If you wash a car yourself, initially budget around $50 to buy all the products and equipment. However, after that, it will cost only around $5 to use the products. It’s a cheap process and a small amount compared to forking out insurance and mechanic checks.

At an actual car wash, $10 is the norm for a basic exterior wash and polish. Interior detailing and an exterior wash will cost lots more, averaging $75 upwards.

Can You Wash Your Car Too Much?

You know the general answer to "How often should you clean your car" but is regular cleaning counterproductive? For instance, is it bad to wash your car every week? Or, for the more extreme neat-lovers, is it bad to wash your car every day?

The answer is no as long as you also increase your waxing and sealant routine. It isn’t just how often you clean your car that can be damaging; you need to know how long to wash car exteriors. Keep in mind that prolonged or extremely regular scrubbing will remove that protective outer layer faster.

In summary, is it good to wash your car every day? It can be. You are more likely to spot damages and wipe off any salt or grime before it damages your bodywork. Just be wary of destroying that protective layer — wax and sealants are your best friends in this scenario.

How To Care For Your Car Post-Wash

As we mentioned, the one thing that potentially limits how many times should you wash your car is the quality of post-wash care. You should always dry your vehicle with a cloth to prevent water marks. And applying wax or sealant helps to strengthen the protection you’ve just scrubbed at.

If you’re now wondering, “Should I wax my car after every wash?” You can relax a little; it doesn’t need to be every time. The average car only needs waxing twice a year or every three months if it is routinely exposed to harsh weather conditions. Answering "How often should you wax car exteriors?" depends on your washing schedule, though. If you wash your vehicle every week, increase that waxing routine as well.

The same goes for how often to wash car interiors. The question of “How often should you detail your car” depends on usage patterns. However, you should generally try deep cleaning (including applying protective products) every six months to a year.

How To Protect Your Car’s Interior

You know now how much to wash a car. What about protecting its interiors? You don’t need to wait for your twice-annual detailing to protect your car; you can be proactive with your purchases. EVA car mats are a valuable protective asset for your vehicle. These mats are highly durable, water-resistant, and zero odor-emitting. And, with custom fits, they act as a true barricade against spillages — stopping liquid from getting trapped under ill-fitted gaps.

Work smarter, not harder. Limit your car cleaning duties by investing in a mat that prevents damage around the clock.