TOP TIPS FOR HOSEPIPE-FREE CAR WASHING

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. Tackle wheels before bodywork to avoid the worst grime flying onto clean bodywork
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 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 a pump sprayer. Watch out for water spotting - dry the car before the sun does by using a clean microfibre or drying towel
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
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Tips in detail

1. Rise and shine! Wash the car first thing in the morning, when the car is cool

Wherever possible, complete the full wash and protect process out of direct sunlight and ensure the surfaces are cool to the touch - mornings are often ideal. This ensures cleaning solutions have more time to attack the grime without drying out. If cleaning in the sun is unavoidable, park the car in the shade or use a canopy or temporary gazebo.

2. Use a dedicated pre-wash spray to loosen the worst of the dirt

The hosepipe ban doesn't mean you have to skip this essential pre-wash stage. You can still apply a dedicated pre-wash spray to loosen the worst of the dirt, notably on the lower panels.

Dead bugs on the front of the car and on the windscreen will be very difficult to shift through conventional washing, so use a specialist product to soften and loosen the remains. Then rinse using a watering can, ideally with a rose fitted to spread the flow, working from the bottom up.

3. Tackle wheels before bodywork to avoid the grime flying onto clean bodywork

It's advisable to clean the wheels before the bodywork so that loo...