Ways To Wash a Car Without a Hose

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Two-Bucket Wash

For best results, use an automatic car wash as a pre-wash. Then finish the job with a thorough hand wash at home.

For the latter, you’ll need a microfiber washing mitt, car shampoo, lots of microfiber wiping towels and two wash buckets with Grit Guards at the bottom. Grit Guards have holes that allow dirt and grime to settle at the bottom of the bucket. That keeps the mitt clean, which prevents swirl marks and scratches.

Fill one wash bucket with soapy water and another with plain water. Soak your wash mitt in soapy water and wipe the dirt from the car. Always clean the dirty mitt in the rinse bucket before loading up more suds. Dry with the microfiber towels.

This process takes time, so ask your children, grandchildren or neighborhood kids to help. Supervise them so they don’t scratch the paint. And pay them well.

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Rinse-less Wash

This is a popular way to clean your car when you have limited space and no hose. Caveat: It won’t work if your car is caked in mud.

I like Optimum No Rinse. It won’t scratch your clear coat and requires less than a gallon of water.

Fill a bucket with water from your sink and use a Grit Guard. Add the rinse-less wash product to the water and clean with a microfiber mitt. Then use microfiber towels for wiping.

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Waterless Car Wash

Products like Chemical Guys Swift Wipe Waterless Car Wash make it simple to wash your car without a hose.

Park your vehicle in a shaded area and apply the product when the vehicle is cool to touch. Shake well, then spray directly onto the surface. Wait 10 seconds or so to let solution emulsify dirt and grime. Then wipe it up in one direction with a clean microfiber towel. Buff the area dry with another clean microfiber towel for a high gloss shine.

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