Exterior care
Waterless cleaning or a hand wash?
How waterless exterior cleaning works, when it can suit your car and when heavier dirt needs another approach.
Both can involve cleaning by hand
Waterless describes the method and product, rather than whether a person cleans the car. A waterless exterior clean uses a purpose-made product and cloths instead of a hose wash. A conventional hand wash usually uses water, car shampoo and rinsing.
The method must suit the dirt
Waterless products are designed to lubricate and lift surface dirt. Careful use includes following the product instructions and turning to a clean section of microfibre cloth as it becomes dirty. Neither waterless nor hand-washed is, by itself, a guarantee against scratches.
Know the limits
Heavy mud, grit and some contamination can need a different process. Tell us about the condition before booking rather than assuming a maintenance clean can handle everything. CarTub’s waterless exterior service does not include pressure-washed wheel arches or cleaning underneath the vehicle.
Confirm the details
CarTub combines a waterless exterior hand clean with an interior vacuum and cabin wipe-down. We assess extra work in advance. Mention specialist paint finishes, coatings or wraps in your enquiry so the product and method can be checked for suitability.
Further reading: Meguiar’s product-use guidance. This explains the method and is not a claim that CarTub uses a particular brand.