John Ibbotson, Consumer Reports’ chief mechanic, says that regular washing protects your car’s finish. It helps remove “road grit and residue left from rain and birds.” Not washing your car, he adds, ...

This will keep your car wash shampoo from drying before you can rinse, as well as preventing water spots from appearing on the surface of your car and windows. You’ll also want to try to wash ...

A lambswool or sheepskin wash mitt, meanwhile, will absorb the dirt in its pile, keeping it away from the car’s bodywork. What’s the best way to use car shampoo? Try not to wash your car in ...

Traditional car washes can use over 130 gallons of water ... To get started with this method, you only need three things: dry ...