In the UAE, a clean car doesn't stay clean for long. Dust, sand and humidity leave a film on the paint within days. Car washes add up, so many drivers prefer a quick wash at home. Here's how to do it properly.
Before you start: check the rules
Some communities and buildings don't allow car washing in shared parking areas. Check with your building or community management first, and wash on your own driveway or an approved spot.
When to wash
Never wash in direct midday sun. Water and soap dry on hot paint and leave spots. Early morning or after sunset is best.
Step-by-step car wash
- Rinse off loose sand first. Sand rubbed into paint causes swirl marks. A strong rinse removes most of it before you touch the car.
- Use two buckets. One with car shampoo, one with clean water to rinse your mitt.
- Wash top to bottom. The lower panels are the dirtiest, so do them last.
- Clean wheels separately with a different brush or cloth.
- Rinse and dry with a microfibre towel to avoid water spots.
How to save water
- Use a pressure washer instead of an open hose. It cleans with a focused spray and uses far less water.
- Turn the water off while you scrub.
- Between full washes, use a waterless spray for light dust.
Why a cordless pressure washer?
A portable pressure washer makes rinsing much faster, especially for sand in wheel arches and door sills. A cordless model means no socket is needed in the parking area. It can draw water from a bucket, which makes it handy for villas, driveways and camping trips too.
Our Car Pressure Washer is 99 AED with UAE delivery.
Heading into the desert this season? See our UAE desert camping checklist, and give the car a proper wash when you're back.