What do I clean my car with if I don't want to kill the fish in the local stream?

[Deleted User]

Help needed! I wash my car on the street and all the excess water goes down the storm drain and into a nearby stream.

So does anyone know of a cheap, environmentally friendly product I can use to wash my car with, without killing the fish or damaging the paint work?

Any environmentally friendly ways to wax it too would be welcomed.

:snow_laug Happy New Year to you all.

in_my_wellies

Gosh, now you have made me think. I use washing up liquid, but only a little (and not that often). Is that not safe?

intel

Use some diesel on a rag that'll do.. fish always come to the surface to taste diesel.

You can even wash a car with just water...

amateur_saver

I use ECOVER washing up liquid and warm water to clean mine... ECOVER do loads of different 'fish and other animal friendly' stuff, handwash, washing powder/liquid, washing softener etc etc...

http://www.ecover.com/english/index.htm

this gives you details. Most major supermarkets sell ecover stuff, but you can get it online if you like.

Hope this helps.

A_S x

SnowyOwl_2

Oh now, this never even occurred to me.

I must admit though I had thought washing up liquid was bad for the paintwork on a car as it would attack the wax finish and leave the car more vulnerable to rust. Also that it would slowly affect the colour. Maybe I am wrong? I look forward to other people's advice.

People laugh at me because I use a bucket and sponge to wash my car, while there are a few places nearby which will do it for you for "only a fiver". Hmm aren't I silly!

amateur_saver

It depends on the car you have I guess.... I haven't known washing up liquid to damage the car.... bearing in mind that a lot of the detergents that 'car wash' places use are really a lot harsher....
I don't think there is too much to worry about with that. I would rather be safe in the knowledge that I am not killing stocks of fish and wildlife.
Anyone else have any ideas ?
If you're silly snowyowl then I am too .

tee hee
A_S x

A_S xx

System

What do I clean my car with if I don't want to kill the fish in the local stream?

Whatever you do, dont use vinegar!!!! :snow_grin

The_Biff

Do not use washing up liquid to clean a car. It contains sand (silica) to cut thro' the grease - & cut thro' your expensive paint finish. Use a car shampoo & try to use as little as possible.

Lorian

I looked at lots of car washes a few years ago, and did not find one brand I was happy to use (same reason, surface water drains to a stream), so I take my car to a garage and wash it, where they have mains sewerage, and the stuff will get duluted and treated properly.

If you have no mains surface water drainage don't forget to check on you water bill to see if you are able to claim a rebate, IIRC we save about £40PA.

wealthsaver

amateur_saver wrote:

I use ECOVER washing up liquid and warm water to clean mine... ECOVER do loads of different 'fish and other animal friendly' stuff, handwash, washing powder/liquid, washing softener etc etc...

http://www.ecover.com/english/index.htm

Ecover and many other brands of washing up detergent intended for dishes contain Salt! Not good for Steel or paintwork finish no matter how well protected by galvanisation or other rustproofing waxing. At least many of the car wash mixes have waxes as part of the formulation.

A lot worse than car shampoo gets down the drain culverts and into streams and rivers that has its origin from motoring. Oil, Diesel, Petrol, antifreeze, brake dust, Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulphur and the multitude of other emissions that mix with rain.

[Deleted User]

Judi wrote:

Whatever you do, dont use vinegar!!!! :snow_grin

Thanks, I wasn't intending to use vinegar. Looks like the safest option is just to use very hot water and a lot of elbow grease!

I don't want to use washing up liquid due to damage to the paintwork.....

Any more suggestions welcome and thank you all for your posts so far.