Car Washing Tips

Keep your ride and local streams clean.

• What drips off your car goes into our local waterways.
• Motor oil and other pollutants get washed down the street and enter City storm drains that lead to streams and rivers.

When washing your car, choose these environmentally friendly options.

Safest – go to your local car wash 

A car wash is the best way to protect our storm system from pollutants. Car wash benefits:

• Captures and treats wash water.
• Uses up to 60 percent less water.
• Tire treatment services remove heavy grease, and baked on brake dust, and other toxic chemicals, minimizing toxins before entering the sewer system.
• Look for brushless systems that will not scratch your paint.
• Use an Ecobiz-certified car wash--they go above and beyond to protect our water.

Car washing at home – the green way 

If you choose to wash your car at home, follow these environmentally-friendly tips.

• Wash your car on an area that absorbs water, such as gravel or grass.
• Use dry car washing products.
• Use phosphate and ammonia-free soaps.
• Use a hose with a nozzle, so water is not wasted.
• Capture soapy runoff by rolling up several towels to divert runoff to your landscaping.
• Pour unused soapy water under a shrub, or into your home sink or bathtub.

Get more car washing tips, presented by KPTV

Hosting a car wash?

Request a free fish-friendly car wash kit and receive a $25 contribution to your school or club. Protect local streams by keeping grease and detergents out of storm drains.

Fish-friendly car washing brochure

Fish-friendly kit and instructions

• Kits are free for loan from Gresham City Hall at 1333 NW Eastman Parkway.
• To reserve your kit, call 503-618-2522 at least five days in advance.
  
  When you call, ask how to get a $25 contribution to your school or nonprofit. The kit must be used at one of these approved sites. Groups are responsible for getting permission and reserving a date with the manager of the business.
  
  
• Jack in the Box, 25678 SE Stark; 503-674-8107
• Les Schwab, 390 NE Burnside Road; 503-666-9496
• Firestone, 2105 NE Burnside Road; 503-666-3609
• Gresham City Hall, 1333 NW Eastman Parkway; 503-618-2657