Grass and soil serve as natural filters absorbing chemicals and other contaminants preventing dirty runoff from reaching the street where rainwater washes everything into storm drains, which empty into the ocean. Plants are much more capable of handling grimy and gritty water than ocean animals and grass benefits from an extra dose of water during hot Southern California summers.

To make your car washing experience environmentally friendly in all ways, use biodegradable and phosphate-free soap specifically formulated for automotive parts. Also, after you’re finished and the car has been driven back onto the driveway or street, take time to evenly distribute any standing water on the grass to prevent thirsty animals from drinking unhealthy water.

An even better idea is to go to a professional carwash. A carwash uses water much more efficiently than a backyard hose and all water is required by law to drain into the wastewater system, which links to the sewage treatment plant where water is treated before being released into the ocean. Going to a carwash saves you time and the extra money is an investment in ocean health.

So the next time your car looks dirty, drive onto the grass. Your neighbors may give you some strange looks…just explain that you’re washing your car the ocean way. Or head to the local carwash, both ways are ocean friendly, but a carwash conserves water too.
Click here to find out more about how to protect our coast from pollution by learning about watersheds and where the storm drains in your neighborhood flow.