Almost everyone has fond childhood memories of washing a car. Whether you remember standing in your front yard with a hose, a bucket, and sign informing passersby of your great deal on a car wash, or if you were permitted to scoot up to the front seat while the car whizzed through the automatic wash, chances are you and the family car had some good times together.
By getting your own kids active and involved at the car
wash, you’re not only helping build new memories, but you’re promoting a
healthy lifestyle that encourages responsible behavior. The next time you pull
into a car wash, consider getting your kids to help in the
self-serve bay.
- Give
Them the Hose: If your little ones aren’t too small, consider letting them
handle the pre-wash or rinse cycle. The kickback on the full-power spray
is too high for the youngest members of your family, but older kids will
delight in having so much waterpower at their fingertips.
- Soap
Markers/Crayons: Soap markers and crayons exist for kids to play with in
the bathtub, and most are mild enough that they can be used on cars, as
well. Give them a chance to “draw” on the car while you prep it for a
deeper clean.
- Bring
a Separate Bucket/Rags: Because the self-service wash runs on a timer, you
might be hesitant to let your kids do the scrubbing, since they aren’t
always as speedy as you’d like. Instead of handing over the wand, bring
them their own bucket and scrubbers. This way, they can focus on one area
of the car while you focus on the rest.
- Put
them on Spot Patrol: Little eyes might be better at spotting areas you
missed or troublesome stains, especially on parts of the car lower to the
ground. Put your kids on spot patrol, helpfully pointing out where you
need to put your attention.
- Indoor
Car Duty: While you’re washing the exterior of the car, have your kids
work on the interior. Hand them wipes to scrub down the windows next to
their seats, or give them garbage duty to clear out the inside. This works
well when you want the kids to stay inside where you can keep an eye on
them.
- Drying
the Car: Drying the car is something everyone can do, so pack a few extra
microfiber towels and put everyone to work. The good news here is that
even if they miss a spot, it most likely won’t show.
- Let
them Choose the Final Details: A lot of people use the car wash as a
reason to get a new air freshener. Let your kids pick the next scent or
other final details so they feel like an important part of the
decision-making process.
Remember, however, that safety is the most important thing. Don’t let unattended children run around, as there are lots of cars coming and going inside a car wash parking lot. Also, the pressure sprays tend to carry a lot more force than most people realize. Teach your kids to respect the spray and not to point it at other people, as this can cause injuries in your little ones.