In response to the introduction of hosepipe bans across large parts of the UK, Autoglym – the UK’s leading car care brand, has outlined ten simple tips to help consumers keep their automotive pride and joy clean and protected while the restrictions remain in place.
Four separate water authorities – Yorkshire Water, South East Water, Thames Water and Southern Water – have so far introduced bans that take effect from this month, affecting over seven million households. Anyone flouting the ban could be hit with a fine of up to £1000. With warm conditions set to continue, more water authorities are expected to introduce their own restrictions very soon.
The following tips have been devised by Autoglym’s UK-based R&D department, working closely with the company’s Technical Services Team, who clean thousands of cars each year in all weathers.
Top tips for hosepipe-free car care
Rise and shine! Wash the car in the shade when the paintwork is cool; early mornings are ideal
Use a dedicated pre-wash spray to loosen the worst of the dirt, then rinse thoroughly
Wash using the two-bucket method – one filled with soapy water, one with clean water so you can rinse your mitt and avoid reapplying dirt to the car after cleaning each section
Use lots of soapy water, clean one panel at a time and never scrub! Use specialist detergents if you encounter stubborn stains like tar or bird lime
Rinse and repeat – wash in sections and rinse from the bottom up so you can see where the suds remain
To clear soapy water from nooks and crannies, notably within the wheels, use an empty pump sprayer filled with clean water
Watch out for water spotting – dry the car before the sun does by using a clean microfibre
Between washes, deploy a detailing spray to avoid having to do a full clean so frequently
If you don’t have time for a full hosepipe-free car wash, consider a quick clean of the glass and light units to maintain good visibility and keep the car looking presentable
Apply protection to your paintwork to resist the grime, making the next clean much easier to perform
To view and purchase Autoglym products, visit Autoglym.com, Halfords in-store or online (www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cleaning/autoglym), Amazon (Amazon.co.uk/Autoglym), or independent car care retailers ENDS.