Happy Earth Day! Today is that special date for people across the globe to show their support for environmental protection.

This day has great significance for us at Ford. That’s because being “Green” is one of our organizational pillars. Green living and sustainability are important to us and to the future of the planet, and we’re making sure our vehicles reflect this.

There are plenty of ways to commemorate Earth Day. Whether it’s turning off the lights to save energy, or planting a tree, Mother Nature will appreciate the gesture.

In the spirit of the day, we’ve got a great way for you to adopt a greener routine into your life – and keep your car clean at the same time.

When washing your car at home, some of the chemicals used in the products can be harmful to the environment. It’s not the kind of stuff that should be running off your driveway and into the sewage drains on the road.

So, read on for some safe, green tips that you can apply instead when washing your car. The added bonus is that, in addition to being eco-friendly, it’s also friendly on your wallet.

Car Soap [1]

What You Need:

  1. 1 cup non-phosphate liquid dish detergent (Ivory works well)
  2. 12 teaspoons powdered laundry detergent
  3. 1 large bucket of water

Mix the three ingredients together in a bucket and proceed to wash the body of your car.

Window Cleaner [2]

What You Need:

  1. White vinegar
  2. A spray bottle
  3. Newspaper

Pour the white vinegar into a spray bottle and apply to the windows. Let it sit for a few minutes. Then, wipe dry with a few pages of a newspaper.

Tire Cleaner [3]

What You Need:

  1. Baking soda
  2. Water
  3. Bucket
  4. Scrubbing brush

Combine the baking soda and water together in a bucket – this will form a thick paste. Apply it to tires with a brush. Let it sit for a minute, then scrub off.

Interior Cleaner [4]

What You Need:

  1. White vinegar
  2. Water
  3. A spray bottle
  4. A cleaning rag

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water into the spray bottle. Then, proceed to spray it on any vinyl, plastic, or wood surfaces in your car that require cleaning. Let it soak in, then wipe dry with the rag.

Try out these green cleaning methods and let us know what you think!


[1] http://www.gatherlittlebylittle.com/2008/03/homemade-car-cleaning-products/