Washing cars, boats, bikes and vans
We all love some shiny clean wheels, but getting there can use excessive amounts of water and impact the environment.
![Man washing car tyre with bucket and sponge](https://water.dpie.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0010/596485/water-saving-car-page-2000x1250.jpg)
Quick tips
The best place to wash your car is on the lawn or gravel. The benefits are the:
- lawn is watered
- soapy water will fertilise the grass
- grass or gravel will prevent the soapy water from entering the stormwater system and threatening plants and wildlife.
Wash your car, bike, boat or caravan:
- using a bucket or a hose fitted with an adjustable trigger nozzle to control the amount of water use
- using greywater from your bath or shower
- using a biodegradable detergent
- parked in a shaded area
- using a non-abrasive cloth and waterless detergent
- less often.
Using a commercial car wash service?
- Use a car wash which has Australian Car Wash Association approval. The accreditation, indicated by a 5-star water saving rating, recognises car wash operators for environmentally responsible business practices.
- Consider using a waterless car wash.
- Select a low flow/high pressure wash.