Washing Your Car in the Winter

As we have discussed in a previous blog post, road salt used to melt the ice on the road surface can easily harm your vehicle, by making it rust. To prevent this, it is important to clean your vehicle of road salt, preferably frequently.

There is no question whether it’s a good idea to clean your vehicle in winter: the answer is yes! You need to frequently clean your vehicle in such weather as the road salt, if left to sit, can damage it.

Washing your vehicle at least twice a month will get rid of the road salt packed onto its underside, preventing it causing damage. The key is to clean the vehicle thoroughly, from the tires to the top to make sure you get rid of ALL the road salt.

It is best to make use of warmer winter days. Do not start washing your vehicle in below freezing temperatures. Wait for a sunny day, dress warmly, get a pair of waterproof gloves (if you plan to do it at home) and get to washing.

Warm water will help get rid of icy patches on the vehicle, but you need to be careful. Do not use water that is too hot, as the difference between the water’s temperature and the outside temperature can crack the windows easily. Instead use lukewarm water to wash the car or truck.

Do not use dish soap to bubble up your water. Car washing soap or baby soap is better for the vehicle’s exterior and they will be easier to rinse off afterwards. Make sure the soapy water is rinsed off the vehicle completely.

The vehicle needs to dry as best as possible to prevent the water you’ve used to clean it from freezing overnight. This can be tricky as winter weather can be unpredictable. It is important to select a warmer day to get everything started. If you decide to wash your vehicle at home, driving it around after the wash will help it dry. If you prefer a carwash, you can use the hot air blaster (just be mindful of the heat as it can also crack the glass).

If you do not wish to give the vehicle a thorough wash, just be sure to get the road salt covered snow off the vehicle. This can easily be done with a high-pressure hose that will get rid of the snow packed on the vehicle’s underside. Just be sure to dry the vehicle before the water freezes on it.