Car washing: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What car washing is

A washer cleans the outside and sometimes the inside of your car, using a hand wash or mobile equipment, then dries it and wipes down the windows and trim. You need it for regular care, after driving in salt, mud or dust, or before an event.

Signs you need it

  • Road salt, mud or bird droppings have dried on the paint or underbody
  • Dust or pollen is building up on the windows and trim
  • The wheels have brake dust that is hard to remove
  • The interior has crumbs, pet hair or spills that need a quick clean
  • The car has been parked under trees or in a dusty area for a while

What the pro does

  • Rinses the car to remove loose dirt before touching the paint
  • Washes the body, glass, wheels and trim using clean mitts and soap
  • Rinses off the soap and dries the car with clean towels or a blower
  • Wipes down the windows, door jambs and trim
  • Vacuums the interior if that service is included

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The size of the vehicle and how dirty it is
  • Whether the wash is hand wash, automatic or waterless
  • Whether the underbody is rinsed, which helps after winter driving
  • Whether the wheels, engine bay or interior are included
  • Whether the car needs extra work such as tar or bug removal
  • Whether the wash is done at your home or at a shop

What a written quote should spell out

  • The wash method used, such as hand wash or waterless
  • Which areas are included, such as wheels, underbody, glass and interior
  • Whether tar, bug or brake dust removal is included
  • Any water or power requirement at a home visit
  • Whether the wash includes a drying step

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Do you use a clean mitt and separate buckets for the wheels and the body?
  • Do you wash by hand or with an automatic system?
  • Will you rinse the underbody after winter driving?
  • What do you need from me, such as water access or a shaded spot?
  • What equipment do you use, and how do you protect the trim and paint while you work?
  • Can you do a rinse only for a quick clean?

Red flags

  • Uses the same towels and mitts on the wheels and the body
  • Scrubs a dirty car with a dry brush
  • Will not explain the wash method before the job
  • Leaves water spots because the car is not dried

What you can do yourself

You can rinse the car, wash it with a clean mitt and two buckets, and dry it with a microfiber towel out of direct sun. Keep the wheels and the body on separate tools. Hire a washer for tar removal, a waterless wash on a car with heavy grime, or an interior clean if you are short on time.

Licenses and permits

A license is usually not required for car washing. Some areas require a business registration or a permit for water use or wastewater, so check with your state or local licensing agency.

Car washing questions

How often should I wash my car?

Wash it more often in winter, near the coast or after driving through salt or mud. Otherwise a regular wash every few weeks is common.

Are automatic washes safe for the paint?

They can be gentler than rough hand washing, but brushes can leave swirls on some paint. Ask the washer which system they use.

Does a wash remove tar or bugs?

A standard wash often does not. Ask for tar or bug removal as a separate step.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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