Washing your car is a fast way to freshen it up, but cosmetic benefits are only one reason why you should clean your vehicle on a regular basis. In addition to making your car look nicer, washing it frequently helps protect the paint and ensure that your vehicle stays in good condition. According to Car Wash Country, the percentage of Americans who wash their car once or twice a month is 66%. For most car owners, this is a sufficient amount of cleaning. However, there are some factors that may require a car to be washed more frequently. Here are three things to consider when determining how often to wash your car.

Salt

Salt, either from wintertime road salt or year-round salty ocean air, is corrosive. It can damage the paint on your car as well as various other components. This damage isn't immediate -- it takes time for salt to eat through the paint or metal -- and that means you have a chance to remove the salt by washing the car. Depending on how much salt your car encounters, you may need to wash it once a week or more.



Sun

In hot summer weather, your car can sustain damage as the sun beats down on it. Heat can cause a car's exterior to become faded or discolored, especially if you leave your car parked outside and not in a garage. Washing your car more frequently in the warmer months can help prevent this damage and keep your vehicle looking sharp for years to come.

Frequency of Driving

The more frequently you drive your car, the more dirt will accumulate on it. If your car sees a lot of mileage, you'll need to wash it more often to keep it in good shape. Conversely, if you don't drive very often, you may be able to wash it less frequently than the average person.

Keeping the above factors in mind can help you to form a schedule to stay on top of washing your car. Sticking to this schedule will be easier if you utilize the services of a high-quality car wash. Car Wash City provides car washes from attendants as well as automatic and self-service car washes, so you can keep your car clean using the method that works best for you. Come visit one of our seven locations today.