Water Wise Tips for Car Washing in a Drought
The drought that has been putting pressure on communities throughout South Africa, especially those in and around the City of Cape Town, has had an impact on countless lifestyle choices we used to take for granted. From rethinking lawns and choosing indigenous plants, to installing grey water systems, getting clever with rainwater and limiting our time in the bathroom to the essentials, communities have had to come together in a big way to ensure that the threat of Day Zero, when municipal water will be turned off and distributed from collection points, could be avoided.
Happily it seems that we are safe from this nightmare scenario for now. However, this does not mean that we are out of the woods just yet. The Western Cape’s rainy season may be around the corner, but according to climate specialists, it will take approximately 7 years of good rain to replenish our groundwater stores and dams to their prior abundant levels. As such, we need to continue the good work we’ve been doing so far.
Here are a few water wise tips for washing your car from the Datsun South Africa team:
Call in the Professionals
Commercial car washes operate under the same water saving mandate as other businesses. As such, it is in their best interests to use the most innovative car wash solutions, including water-less formulas, etc. You can also rest assured that they recycle up to 80% of the water they use, and that the chemical-laden runoff is safely channeled to a sanitary sewer.
Go Old School
If you prefer to do it at home, go old school. No hoses – only buckets. Park your car in a shaded area to lessen evaporation and then dust it off with a feather duster before you begin. Use a small amount of gentle soap that won’t take a lot of water to rinse off and wash your car with a microfibre cloth using circular motions. Wipe the suds away while it is still wet. Bonus point if you finish with a waxy polish – it provides a waterproof layer that allows dirt to run off and keeps your car cleaner for longer.
TOP TIP: If you’ve recently sunk a borehole, be sure to have the water tested before you use it to wash your vehicle. In certain regions, groundwater can be quite acidic, which could have a negative impact on your car’s paint job.
These are just a few of the ways in which you can save water while still maintaining your vehicle. Keep an eye on the blog in coming weeks and months as we share more advice on keeping your vehicle in shape, as well as more exciting news from the local and international Datsun camp.
Tags: Datsun
