The simple act of washing your car has long been considered harmful to the environment. It wastes water and exposes the surrounding environment to harmful chemicals and toxins. The good news is that there are alternatives — environmentally friendly car care products that either eliminate the need for water or are chemical and additive-free. We’ll explain the importance of using environmentally friendly car care products and offer tips on how you can adopt sustainable car maintenance practices beyond just using green products.
Why Choose Eco-Friendly Car Care Products?
You may be driving a hybrid or electric car, so you’re probably thinking you’re already doing your bit for the planet, but the way you care for it may be causing harm. There is more you can do to make our home a little greener besides driving an eco-friendly car.
The Impact of Traditional Car Care Products on the Environment
Products like polishes, waxes, and tire cleaners often contain chemicals and ingredients that negatively affect the environment:
- Water: Car cleaners often contain heavy metals like lead, zinc, and copper, as well as petroleum-based substances that can end up in drains and rivers, poisoning aquatic ecosystems.
- Smog: Volatile organic compounds (VOCS) are often used in aerosol car care products with sprays as propellants or active ingredients. They can contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone when released into the air, which is a key component of smog.
- Plants: If wheel or tire cleaners spill onto the ground or are washed away by rain, the acids and chemicals in them can damage plants and soil quality.
- Waste: Most car cleaners come in plastic bottles or metal cans that can end up in a landfill. They are also not usually recyclable because they have been in contact with chemicals.
- Toxins: Some car care products contain ingredients like butyl cellosolve, ammonia, or chlorine, which are toxic to both humans and animals. These can irritate the skin and be harmful when inhaled.
- Production: Many traditional car care products involve the extraction of raw materials through energy-intensive manufacturing processes. These can generate carbon emissions, contributing to global warming and climate change.
Benefits of Using Green Car Care Solutions
Besides the obvious environmental benefits, there are a number of pros to adopting clean car care products:
- Health: Using cleaner products is not just beneficial to you, but also to your family and pets. Traditional car care products can contain substances that can be harmful when absorbed through the skin or inhaled.
- Maintenance: Clean car care products could be gentler on your car’s surfaces, paint, and upholstery, and be less abrasive, providing long-term protection and less need for maintenance.
- Savings: Switching up your car care products could save you money, too. Many eco-friendly products clean more effectively, meaning you’ll use less per application, leading to savings over time.
- Integrity: The non-corrosive factor of eco-friendly cleaners can help the plastic and metal in your car maintain its integrity and value.
Best Environmentally Friendly Car Care Products
Eco-Friendly Car Wash Soaps
- Image Wash Products Car Wash Soap Sheets: These are lightweight, spill-free, eco-friendly, and entirely dissolvable. They also come in recyclable packaging and are mess-free. They are made with a nature-friendly formula and come with a refreshing watermelon scent. The sheets are cost-effective too, with each wash costing less than $1.
- Rhine Wash & Shine Car Wash Soap: This plant-based soap is completely non-toxic and safe for kids and pets. It is made without harsh chemicals and is concentrated, so you save on water, too. The formula includes novel surfactants that are extremely safe for your car paints and also provide a smooth wash.
Biodegradable Waxes and Polishes
- Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax: This wax is made from natural carnauba wax, offering your car excellent protection from harmful UV rays and preventing the paint from fading. It leaves a streak-free finish and is easy to apply.
- EcoSmart Waterless Car Wash & Wax Concentrate: This concentrated car wax can fully wash your car with just a few ounces of water. It adds a brilliant shine with every wipe, enhancing your car's appearance. The 16-oz bottle can be diluted to make up to 2 gallons of product.
Natural Interior Cleaners
- Eco Touch Interior Detailer: This plant-based interior cleaner is free from harsh chemicals, making it safe for both you and the environment. It cleans and refreshes your car's interior surfaces like dashboards, upholstery, and door panels. It can also be used in the home, as well as on your car.
- Better Life Natural All-Purpose Cleaner: This cleaner is not specifically made for cars, but it is natural, non-toxic, and biodegradable. It can be safely used to clean seats, carpets, and other interior surfaces without leaving harmful residues.
Waterless Car Wash Solutions
- Aero Cosmetics Waterless Wash & Wax: This waterless wash formula uses natural ingredients to clean, shine, and protect the surface of your car without the need for water or harsh chemicals. It is alcohol and ammonia-free and is completely biodegradable.
- Shiny Garage Rinse Free Eco Wash: This product minimizes the amount of water needed to wash one car and is based on an advanced polymeric and non-foaming formula. It contains polymers and surfactants to give the car's surface a slip unprecedented in traditional shampoos.
Sustainable Tire and Wheel Cleaners
- Eco Touch Wheel Cleaner: A biodegradable and non-abrasive tire and wheel cleaner that helps remove brake dust, dirt, and grime while being gentle on the environment. It’s free from harsh chemicals and dyes like petroleum-based solvents and acids.
- Griot's Garage Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner: This wheel cleaner has been made with a pH-balanced, non-acidic, and non-caustic formula and is safe to use on any wheel finish.
How to Choose the Best Green Car Care Products
Ingredients to Look For and Avoid
It’s advised to look for plant-based products as these are kindest to the environment, like soy, corn starch, or coconut oil. These are biodegradable and gentle on your car. A commonly used ingredient in eco-friendly car waxes and polishes is carnauba wax, which is not only biodegradable and sustainable but also provides excellent protection for your car’s paint.
You should also look out for biodegradable surfactants, which break down naturally. In addition, you may spot citrus extracts, natural cleaners that are effective degreasers.
In terms of what to avoid, you should steer away from petroleum-based solvents, phosphates, ammonia, chlorine, and synthetic fragrances and dyes.
Certifications and Eco-Labels
Eco-products are usually labelled with certifications to affirm that they have met certain health and environmental standards:
- EPA Safer Choice Label: These products are recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency for meeting high standards of safety for human health and the environment. They are formulated to be non-toxic and safer.
- Green Seal Certification: This certification indicates that a product meets rigorous environmental and performance standards. This includes low toxicity and minimal environmental impact.
- Cradle to Cradle Certification: Products with this label are designed with full lifecycle sustainability, focusing on recycling, reuse, and minimizing environmental impact during production and disposal.
- Leaping Bunny or Cruelty-Free Certification: This certification signals that no animal testing was involved in the manufacturing process.
Cost vs. Performance Considerations
Environmentally friendly car products tend to be more expensive than others, but they often perform better, too. They are usually more concentrated, reducing the need for frequent top-ups. You can dilute them and use them for multiple applications, meaning that the cost per use is often lower. In addition, they are often gentler on your car’s surfaces, too, meaning a reduction in the need for repairs or other treatments.
In terms of performance, they are often just as good as traditional products, but this can vary depending on the formula, so it is advisable to read comments and reviews.
Eco-Friendly Car Maintenance Tips
Water Conservation Methods for Car Washing
Car washing can use a lot of water, so it is advisable to use a waterless car wash product. If you can’t do this, it’s best to wash your car on lawns or gravel where the runoff can be absorbed, as opposed to flowing into drains. This reduces the risk of chemicals entering local waterways. You could also wash your car in the morning or evening to reduce water from evaporating too quickly.
Proper Disposal of Car Care Waste
You should always dispose of hazardous waste properly, and you should avoid pouring it down drains. It is best to look for a local hazardous waste disposal facility. That said, some products do come in recyclable packaging. In these instances, rinse out any residue to avoid contamination.
DIY Green Cleaning Solutions
You can also clean your car yourself by making your own green cleansers. Household ingredients like distilled white vinegar, baking soda, and even natural and biodegradable dish soap can be used to create your own products. You could even add a few drops of essential oil to add fragrance.
Final Thoughts on Sustainable Car Care
While eco-friendly car care products can be more expensive than traditional ones, the environmental benefits are substantial. Furthermore, they can be more cost-effective in the long run and actually protect your car better than synthetic options.