I used to be a die-hard fan of touchless car washes.
You know, the ones where you sit in your car like you’re on a weird amusement park ride while jets of water and soap spray all around you?
Yeah, those.
But lately, I’ve had a change of heart, and I’m here to tell you why I’ve switched to the brush car wash (or soft-touch) side.
Buckle up, because we’re about to get into the nitty-gritty of car cleaning!
In This Post
The Dirt on Dirt: Why a Little Friction is Your Friend
Let’s be real for a second – have you ever tried to get bird poop off your car with just water? It’s like trying to eat soup with a fork. Frustrating and ultimately pointless.
Here’s a list of stuff that’s probably on your car right now, stubbornly refusing to budge:
- Road salt (looking at you, winter drivers)
- Tree sap (thanks a lot, nature)
- That weird black stuff that appears out of nowhere
- Brake dust on your wheels
- Bug guts (RIP, little guys)
- Mysterious tar spots
This is where brush car washes come in clutch.
Now, let’s see how brush and touchless washes stack up against these stubborn stains:
| Nasty Stuff | Brush Wash | Touchless Wash |
|---|---|---|
| Road salt | Annihilated | Kinda dealt with |
| Tree sap | Gone | Still sticky |
| Mystery grime | What grime? | Still mysterious |
| Brake dust | Cleaned up | Mostly ignored |
| Bug remains | Removed | Stubbornly there |
| Tar spots | Mostly gone | Laughing at you |
Getting in All the Nooks and Crannies
You know those spots on your car that always seem to stay dirty, no matter what? Like around your license plate, or in the wheel wells?
Touchless washes look at those spots and say, “Nah, too much effort.”
But brush washes? They’re like that one friend who always goes the extra mile.
Brush washes get into:
- The area around your license plate (goodbye, dirt outline!)
- Between body panels (no more lines of grime)
- Wheel wells (where all the gross stuff hides)
- Under spoilers and side skirts (if you’re fancy like that)
- Around windshield wipers (bet you forgot about those)
- Door jambs (impress your passengers when they get in)
The Touchless Wash Blues
Now, I’m not here to completely bash touchless washes. They have their place. Like when you’re in a hurry and your car is just dusty. But let’s be honest about their shortcomings:
- They’re about as effective at removing stuck-on gunk as a stern talking-to.
- Water spots. Water spots everywhere.
- They use chemicals strong enough to make you wonder if they’re cleaning your car or prepping it for space travel.
- If you have a cool matte finish, forget about it.
- Your wheels and tires? Still dirty.
“But Won’t Brushes Scratch My Car?” (Spoiler: Probably Not)
I get it. The idea of anything touching your precious paint job is scary. But here’s the thing – modern brush washes aren’t the swirly-makers of yesteryear. They’re more like a gentle caress from a thousand soft puppies. Okay, maybe not quite, but you get the idea.
What to look for in a good brush wash:
- Regularly replaced cloth strips (because nobody likes old, crusty brushes)
- Car-safe soaps (not dish detergent, thank you very much)
- Well-maintained equipment (rust is not a good look)
- Pre-wash inspection (to make sure there’s no sneaky scratch-makers)
- Good water filtration (because hard water is the enemy)
Green Clean: The Eco-Friendly Argument
Now, let’s get a little green (the good kind, not the algae-in-your-birdbath kind). Both types of washes can be eco-friendly, but check this out:
| Green Stuff | Brush Wash | Touchless Wash |
|---|---|---|
| Water use | Not too shabby | Water park levels |
| Chemical use | Just enough | Overkill |
| Energy use | Moderate | Enough to power a small village |
| How often you need to wash | Less | More |
| Gets gunk off your car | You bet | Meh |
Plus, by actually removing all that gunk from your car, you’re keeping it out of the storm drains. You’re basically Captain Planet now.
The Bottom Line: Brush Car Wash for the Win
Look, at the end of the day, both types of washes have their place. But if you want your car to be so clean it makes your neighbors jealous, brush car washes are the way to go.
Here’s why:
- It actually removes tough grime (goodbye, bug guts!)
- Cleans the spots you forgot existed
- Kinder to your paint than those harsh touchless chemicals
- More eco-friendly in the long run
- Keeps your car cleaner, longer
So, next time you’re sitting in the car wash line, pondering life’s big questions (like “Why did I eat that gas station sushi?”), give the brush wash a shot.
Your car will thank you, your neighbors will envy you, and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing your car is actually, truly clean.
Remember, a clean car is a happy car. And a happy car makes for a happy driver. Now go forth and get sudsy!
