Green cleaning your car

Contrary to what many people believe, automatic car washes are much more eco-friendly than do-it-yourself home jobs. The International Car Wash Association estimates home washes use an average of 80 to 150 gallons of water, whereas commercial washes typically use about 45 gallons for an average-sized vehicle. For those who still prefer to wash their car at home, Earth 911 (Earth911.com) suggests parking on grass or gravel so the water soaks back into the ground rather than into gutters, which may empty into nearby streams. Use a nozzle with automatic shutoff, or turn the spigot off between rinses, to save water. Also, use eco-friendly, toxin-free cleaners.