Question from Lea
Hello,
I was wondering if there are any good nontoxic products available for washing and waxing my car.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Debra’s Answer
Well, we take our cars to be washed at a self-service car wash. We use whatever comes out of the high-pressure wand and I haven’t noticed it is particularly toxic.
National Wildlife Federation: Greening the Car Wash recommends this as the best option if the only place you can wash your car is on pavement. The used water must be treated before it goes back into the environment.
In her book Better Basics for the Home, Annie Berthold-Bond recommends washing the car with 1/4 cup liquid detergent (natural, of course) mixed into 1 gallon warm water. This book has a whole section on make-it-yourself car care products, including antifreeze, windshield cleaner, vinyl smell reducer, bug remover, creme polish, and more.
