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The best products and techniques for waterless cleaning
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If you want to avoid using water or live in an area with water restrictions, a waterless car wash might be a good alternative to soap and water. Waterless car wash products use a chemical formula instead of water to lift debris from a car’s surface. There are a number of waterless products with different additives such as wax, so you’ll want to find the right product for your car. In this article, we'll explain how to choose the best product for your vehicle and walk you through the cleaning process. Read on to learn more!
Steps
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Determine if a waterless product is right for your vehicle. If your car is caked in mud, a waterless car wash will not help and might even scratch the paint of your car. Only use a waterless product if you have minimal dirt or dust. Otherwise, rinse your car with water to remove dry dirt, then use the waterless product. -
Use a waterless car wash with wax for an added sheen. Many waterless products have wax in them, which will give your car an extra layer of protection while you wash it. If you normally wax your car after you wash it, this could be a time-saver.Advertisement -
Choose a UV-blocking formula for even more protection. UV rays can damage your paint by causing fading and oxidation. While wax will help protect your car’s paint from UV rays, some formulas have an extra degree of protection. -
Try an organic, multi-use product for an environmentally-friendly option. There are also very successful organic, natural waterless products that you can use in your home or inside the car as well as on windows. These may be less damaging to your paint; you can find them at car shops or many home improvement stores. -
Buy a waterless car wash product. These products can be found at most auto stores, Walmart, or online. If you’re having trouble finding a waterless car wash in stores, some examples of products are Dri Wash'n Guard, Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax Anywhere, and Triplewax Waterless Wash & Shine. -
Get plenty of micro-fiber cloths. Micro-fibers are tiny fibers that collect dirt. Use a minimum weight of 300gsm (grams per square meter). Make sure it is clean. Lower quality or dirty towels can scratch your car or leave undesirable swirl patterns. [1] X Research source- You can also find a chamois cloth instead of a micro-fiber. Any product that absorbs liquid without scratching is ideal.
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Dilute the car wash fluid, if necessary. Some formulas require diluting with water, while others are ready-to-use. Read the instructions on the bottle to see which one you have. -
Fill a spray bottle with the car wash fluid, if necessary. If you bought a large bottle of waterless car wash, you will need to transfer some into a spray bottle. Otherwise, most products already come in a spray bottle. -
Divide the car into multiple parts so you can work on one at a time. Divide the car into distinct sections to make it more manageable and to make sure you don’t miss any spots. Here’s one way to divide the car, but you can do it any way you’d like:- The side glass
- The roof
- The hood and trunk
- The upper half of the side doors
- The lower half of the side doors
- The front bumper
- The rear bumper
- The wheels
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Start at the top and spray one section at a time. Use as much waterless car wash fluid as you need to cover the section. If there is some dirt on the paint, you can put a little bit of water to help loosen it up so that you don’t overuse the fluid.- For the tires, you may need to use additional fluid. Be sure to save the tires for last, as they will be the dirtiest.
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Fold your micro-fiber cloth and wipe in one direction to remove dirt. Every time you start wiping, use a new, clean side of the cloth, to avoid reintroducing dirt. [2] X Research source Avoid wiping back and forth or in a circle since this will spread dirt. Always wipe consistently in one direction.- Remember not to scrub, as you would with soap and water. The fluid should dislodge any dirt on the car on its own. All you have to do is pick up the fluid and dirt with a cloth.
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Repeat these steps for each section of the car. Continue this process until the whole car is clean, working top to bottom, clean to dirty. -
Perform a second buff on each section, if necessary. If you have a wax-based product it may require a second or third “buff” step. Read the directions on the bottle to see if this is necessary.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionWhere can I buy products to wash a car not using water?Uglymug18Community AnswerThere are plenty of spray cleaners out there that not only clean, but wax also. These can be purchased at any local automotive store or Walmart.
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QuestionWhat materials do I need to wash a car?Silas VanderhoffCommunity AnswerYou'll want a 5-gallon bucket, car soap, a sponge, and a towel to dry the car off.
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Tips
- You can use a waterless product indoors to wash your car year-round.Thanks
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Warnings
- This way of cleaning your car can cause scratches if your car is caked in dry dirt or if you use a dirty towel.Thanks
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Things You’ll need
- Micro-fiber cloths or chamois, 5-8 depending on their size.
- Waterless car wash fluid.
- Spray bottle, if the fluid is not already in one.
- Water, if your car is caked in dirt.
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cleaning your car, check out our in-depth interview with Angel Ricardo .
References
About This Article
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Reader Success Stories
- "Article of great help. Step by step, and pictures most helpful! I had no idea on how to waterlessly wash my car, and the article gave me some great ideas! Thanks a lot!" ..." more
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"Article of great help. Step by step, and pictures most helpful! I had no idea on how to waterlessly wash my car, and the article gave me some great ideas! Thanks a lot!"
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"Great article explaining step-by-step on how to use waterless products in washing your car! Thanks! "
