July 9, 2025 Verity Moring

How to Clean Your Car During a Hosepipe Ban

As we are faced with increasingly warm weathers, you may be wondering how to keep your vehicle clean with hosepipe bans on the horizon. There are a few detailing methods that minimise water usage such as rinseless wash or waterless products, but even sensible bucket use can effectively lessen water consumption.

Check with your local council!

The main thing to note is that there are different rules for different councils. Some will allow pressure washers to be used during a hosepipe ban as a pressure washer controls water use. Other councils will not allow this and will recommend you collect water in a butt or container. It is possible to feed a pressure washer from a water butt but you would need to check the machine you have (most Karchers are equipped for this).

Waterless Wash

If you cannot use a pressure washer, either due to ban or because you are unable to connect yours to a water collection, then it's all about the waterless wash! Designed to suspend dirt and debris from paintwork, waterless wash allows you to safely remove contamination without scratching the paintwork.

JAMES' TOP TIP: For me, waterless methods are all about loads of microfibre cloths. Or, if using a mitt, making sure you are at least using the Detail Guardz Dirt Lock with the Scrub Wall Attachment very often - at least 2-3 times per panel. If using cloths, keep them neatly folded into fours, and rotate every wipe. This will give you 8 goes on the cloth before you need to change to a new one.

CARPRO ECH2O Waterless Wash is formulated with a combination of proprietary lifting agents, natural organic extracts and lubricants. ECH2O is easy-to-use, simply dilute for your needs and spray liberally across a panel before using a clean microfibre to lightly wipe the panel. Remember to frequently flip the towel to a clean side to avoid rubbing dirt back onto paintwork. Finish with a final spray and wipe and repeat around the entire vehicle.

Koch-Chemie Rrw Rapid Rinseless Wash combines cleaning, care, and preservation in one step on lightly soiled vehicles. Rrw can be applied using a wash bucket method or spray bottle for less water usage. If using a bucket, dilute 1:250 and apply using a wash mitt before removing with a clean, dry microfibre. For spray bottle application, dilute 1:250 and apply evenly to surfaces before removing with a clean, dry microfibre. Repeat with a clean cloth or towel if necessary.

Koch-Chemie Wf Wash & Finish is a waterless wash designed to clean, care for, and seal vehicle paints, glass, plastic parts, rims, etc. in a single step. Quick and easy external cleaning that will leave behind a glossy, non-streaky, hydrophobic finish. Simply use a spray bottle to apply evenly to surfaces, then wipe up dirt with a microfibre cloth and buff with a second microfibre cloth. Repeat application if necessary.

Keep cloths clean!

Using cloths with a waterless wash subjects them to more contamination such as dirt particles and mineral deposits. Microfibre wash is designed to loosen contaminants from microfibres so they can be safely washed in your washing machine!

Malco Microfiber Refresh is specially designed to safely and thoroughly wash your microfibres without causing damage. The formula is fragrance, softener, and bleach free in order to restore microfibres to a like-new condition.

CARPRO MFX Microfiber Detergent is designed to remove oils, dirt, and other contaminants from your microfibres and restore their performance after every wash. Safely clean cloths and keep them on hand for your waterless washes!

Bird Poop Removal

Bird poo removal is something that needs covering this time of year, especially if you are unable to use a hose to help. In the heat of the sun, your paint can expand and soften, allowing bird droppings to embed themselves and etch the paint as it cools and contracts. As soon as you notice it, get it off!

Koch-Chemie Fse works well as a bird poop removal. Simply spray onto the affected area, allow the liquid to sit (but don't let it dry), and then use a clean microfibre to lift residue from the surface.

Another thing I do notice about bird poo, once cleaned off and you think its etched in, don’t machine it for a week or so and let the hot sun work its magic. A lot of the time this lets the lacquer flow around where said s*** was and sometimes it completely disappears. Obviously this depends how big it was and how long it's been on. But worth a go.

Any protection is good protection

One of the main things that will help reduce the need for frequent cleaning is making sure your vehicle surfaces are protected. Before a hosepipe ban comes into effect, you should give your vehicle as much protection as you can. Be it a wax or spray sealant, or even a ceramic coating, extra protection will help dirt, grime, dust, and other contaminants from sticking to your car during the hot times.