Which is worse: clean cars or green lawns?

Hey Mr. Green,
I'm seeing lots of media messages urging people not to wash their cars at home in order to stop toxic runoff. This makes sense, but why aren't there similar efforts to stop people from fertilizing and pouring pesticides on lawns? Are efforts to reduce home car washes more common because the lawn care industry is much larger than the car wash industry?
--Adam in Zionsville, Indiana

Your theory about the clout of the lawn care business may be valid. The EPA actually diagnoses folks who wash their cars once a month as "chronic car washers," but nowhere does it identify our obsession with lawns as a psychological disorder.

Of the two quasi-religious rituals, punctilious lawn care is probably worse than periodic vehicle baptism. Lawn-tenders pour on three times as much pesticide per acre as farmers do. Phosphorous-rich runoff from lawn fertilizer feeds ugly carpets of algae that suffocate waterways. Minnesota got so bummed by all the phosphorous draining into its fabled lakes that it banned phosphorous-containing lawn fertilizers five years ago. New York recently followed suit, and other states are also considering bans.

Also, about 100 times more water is used on lawns than on car washing at home, making our 30 million acres of residential lawns America's most irrigated "crop."

But by no means am I letting DIY car washers off the hook: The practice swishes toxic gunk and chemical-laced cleaning products into storm drains that then channel the pollutants into our waterways and oceans. So I recommend commercial car washes, which use less water and are required to adhere to EPA rules. If you choose to wash your car at home, though, use biodegradable soap and limit the amount of water that ends up in the street.

Comments

[carpet cleaning albuquerque]

There many various ways in cleaning up a specific object; one of which is the car. Maybe it takes time for us to clean a car, but probably you will say it's nice to see things clean.

[Coach Factory Store]

If elected, he said, he would "serve no one religion, no one group, no one cause and no one interest.

[hcg]

Just keep trying. No matter what, time goes on.

[Leisa Dreps]

Well, every time we buy cleaning products, we are all responsible for checking the content of those products. We're doing it not only for the sake of saving the environment, but also for maintaining good health for our family. I'm using a Mazda used car. My dealer in Indianapolis taught me such tips about the maintenance of this car, and proper cleaning. If you're a newbie car owner, I think you must ask someone about the proper maintenance and cleaning.

[Laura]

I would suggest that Rowan have several outfits of work clothing; he could store the dirty outfits in a tick-tight container and that way save up a few outfits to wash together. At least he would not be washing & drying work clothing every night.

[synthetic lawn]

Living in a much modernized and technology-base world, nothing is impossible. Fake and artificial things would look closely natural and real as people would wish to just like synthetic lawns that is now a days commonly used in sports field.

[Carpet Cleaning]

we are all responsible for controlling the content of these products. We do this not only for reasons of environmental protection but also to maintain good health for our family. I use a Mazda used car.

[Brian Parker]

I'm a car enthusiast myself, and I take good care of my car. I frequently wash my car with just plain water, not using any chemical at all. This helps to protect the paint of my car and saves the environment. Really, all you need is just clean water to keep your car clean. Only clean with chemical probably once in 1-2months.

Cheers,
Brian Parker

Car Accidents Articles

[Tyre Repair Materials]

Based from what I read, maybe I could choose car washing at home since it is quite practical to do and you could save a lot of resources compare to green lawns. Besides, I got some knowledge in car washing.

[Garmin 1350LMT]

Think green environment, then we should just wash our cars with water instead of using chemical car wash shampoo.

[Carpet Cleaning Toronto]

I would have to admit it's because the lawn care industry is much more bigger than the car wash industry.

[HCG Shots]

I totally agree with you. Commercial car washers are trained to safeguard the environment. I know, DIY car washing is less expensive and you have a hands-on cleaning of your own car but the thing is, it is more costly (in our environment)

HCG Shots

[Stelle Courney]

Hmm, that's a pretty reasonable debate. I prefer cleaning a car with just water, since some of the cleaning soaps in the market can harm your car. And it's sensible to clean your car and do lawn maintenance at the same time.

[We Buy Cars Online]

After reading this I think I'll will definited stick to washing my car commerically instead of at home. It some point in time all of this things need to be regulated. It's naive of us to think that any of these activities will not come back to haunt us in the future, our planet is not invincible.

[Friendly Chevrolet]

Friendly Chevrolet

Dallas Texas largetest chevy dealer for used and new cars and trucks http://www.friendlychevy.com

[Ellsworth Mciltrot]

There's nothing to worry about when cleaning cars at home, or outside the garage. Most car soaps are designed to have minimal effect on plants and grasses.