Living in an apartment or condo is great for many things and terrible for washing a car. There is rarely a hose, often no outdoor tap you are allowed to use, and many leases and homeowners' associations specifically prohibit car washing on the property. Yet the car still gets dirty.
Read the rules first
Look at your lease or the association's rules before doing anything. Common clauses include:
- No vehicle washing or repairs in parking areas.
- No use of common water taps for personal purposes.
- No soapy water or chemicals entering drains.
- Restrictions on outside contractors working on site.
Some buildings ban hose washing but are perfectly happy with waterless or rinseless methods, because there is no water on the ground. If the rules are unclear, a short message to the building manager is better than a warning letter.
Option 1: waterless at your space
For light dust and pollen, a waterless spray and a stack of microfiber towels is all you need. There is no runoff and no mess, and it fits in a small box in the trunk. Work in the shade of the garage or early in the morning. A careful job on a normal car takes about forty minutes.
Option 2: rinseless with one bucket
For a dirtier car, rinseless is the next step: one or two gallons of water from your kitchen, a measured dose of concentrate and a pile of towels or a wash mitt. Nothing needs to be rinsed off. Done neatly, it leaves no more water on the ground than a few drips.
Option 3: a mobile washer
This is exactly the situation on-demand car washes were built for. A good mobile washer arrives self-contained, works with waterless or rinseless products and leaves nothing but a clean car behind. Make sure the building allows outside service providers, and agree on where the washer should park and work. Our guide to choosing a mobile wash has the questions to ask.
Option 4: the self-service bay
For heavy dirt, road salt or the underbody, nothing beats a pressure rinse. A self-service bay costs a few coins, recycles or treats its water, and you can use your own mitt and buckets there for a safer wash than the foaming brush hanging on the wall. Avoid that brush; it has been used on hundreds of muddy trucks.
Interior in a parking garage
The interior is easier. A cordless vacuum, a bottle of interior cleaner and a few towels go a long way. Some garages have power outlets; most do not, so make sure your vacuum is charged. Never leave rubbish or dirty towels in the common area.
Keeping it clean longer
A layer of spray sealant every couple of months makes every wash easier, and a car cover can help for vehicles that sit for long periods outside. Covered parking, if your building offers it, protects against sun, sap and bird droppings. Shared garages bring their own hazards, from door dings to dripping ceilings, which our parking garage guide covers in detail.
