If you are facing a hosepipe ban, you might be wondering how to keep your car clean without breaking the rules. Motoring experts have shared practical advice on maintaining your vehicle’s appearance effectively while conserving water.
Steve Walker, head of digital content at Auto Express, acknowledged that water companies have suggested people should “wear a dirty car as a badge of honour” during a drought to show they are conserving water. However, he also recognised there are occasions when a clean car is necessary.
“The good news,” Walker said, “is that you don’t need a hosepipe to keep your car looking presentable.” Here are some ways to care for your vehicle without using a hosepipe.
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Instead of washing the entire car, focus only on essential areas. Walker recommends clearing the windscreen using a combination of wet and dry microfibre cloths or a specialist cleaner such as Bilt Hamber Traceless. To protect the paintwork, it is important to remove bird droppings and insect splats promptly before they bake onto the surface in hot weather.
For fresh marks, wet a cloth with screen-wash fluid or use specialist products like Autoglym’s Bird Dropping Wipes. For older stains, try CarPlan’s No1 Super Bug.
Washing your car with a bucket and watering can is allowed under hosepipe restrictions and can be effective, though more labour-intensive as you will need to refill frequently. It is best to wash the car in the shade when the paintwork is cool - early morning or late evening is ideal. Wet the vehicle with a watering can and use a pre-wash product on tougher dirt such as bird droppings or dead insects.
After rinsing, dry the paintwork immediately to avoid water stains and streaks.
Commercial car washes are generally exempt from restrictions because they recycle water. However, Auto Express warns that machines with brushes can miss spots and may damage paintwork.
As an alternative, you could visit a commercial jet wash bay and bring your own washing mitt, since the attached brushes can harbour dirt and grit. After applying foam and rinsing, dry the car promptly to prevent spotting and streaking.
Waterless washes provide another option, employing concentrated formulas that clean the vehicle without any use of tap water. Walker suggests this method is suitable if your car only has a light layer of dirt and dust.
He advises using plenty of clean microfibre cloths and spraying the fluid generously onto the panels to minimise scratches. Waterless washes can leave a shine superior to traditional washing and add a protective coating to guard the paint against further dirt.
While rain is usually unwelcome when cleaning a car, during a drought a sudden shower can be helpful. Walker explained this will moisten the car prior to washing and may serve as a natural rinse afterwards.
“You will get wet yourself, of course, but in hot weather that’s not unpleasant,” he said. He also stressed the importance of checking the weather forecast before drying your car to avoid wasting your efforts, and cautioned against cleaning the car if there is a risk of lightning.
By adopting these practical tips, you can maintain your car’s appearance responsibly even during hosepipe bans and drought conditions.