Green Car Cleaning Tips

It’s important to remember that the wastewater running off your car when you wash it can contain substances that pollute the environment. Harsh detergents, degreasers, cleaning products and oils can make their way into our rivers, lakes, harbours and oceans.

Many detergents contain surfactants and other chemicals that can be harmful to aquatic plant and animal life. Some also contain phosphates, which can contribute to algal blooms, excessive plant growth and oxygen depletion in waterways — conditions that can harm or kill fish and aquatic insects.

So, this week I thought I’d share some simple tips for keeping your car clean while being kinder to the environment.

Wash your car on the grass
Washing your car on a grassy area helps minimise runoff into the stormwater system. The grass and soil can filter and capture some of the pollutants, while soil organisms help break down biodegradable substances.

Use buckets rather than a hose
You’ll use considerably less water by washing your car with a couple of buckets rather than leaving the hose running.

Keep your cleaning products simple
Add around 1 tablespoon of Green Goddess Hemp & Eucalyptus Liquid Castile to a bucket of warm water. A little goes a long way!

Clean and polish your dashboard
Believe it or not, olive oil can be used to clean and polish your dashboard. Apply a small amount with a cloth, rub it in, then buff with a clean cloth. It can also be used on some upholstery, but always test a small, inconspicuous area first.

Get your windows sparkling
Our Green Goddess Glass & Stainless Spray Cleaner is perfect for getting your windows clean and streak-free. Wipe away dirt first, spray on the glass cleaner and wipe with a clean cloth. For an old-school final polish, give it a quick buff with newspaper.

Remove raindrop marks from your windscreen
Cut a potato in half and rub the cut side over the windscreen. Wipe clean afterwards.

Remove stuck-on insects
Those pesky insects stuck to the front of the car can be tricky to remove. Try using a clean plastic mesh bag, such as one used for onions or lemons. Roll it into a ball and gently rub over the affected area.

Clean up chrome
Dip a damp cloth into Green Goddess Premium Baking Soda and gently rub over chrome surfaces. Rinse, dry and polish.

Cover small scratches
For very small scratches on painted surfaces, try rubbing over them with a wax crayon in a matching colour. This is more of a temporary cover-up than a repair, but it can make minor scratches less noticeable.