Waterless Car Wash Comes to the Mile Square

The key ingredient to a car wash is water, right? If you're a environmentally cautious Hobokenite, this does not have to be the case anymore.

A mobile car wash company formed in March, Go Green Car Wash, operates on a completely waterless system. They use biodegradable products with all natural ingredients, including coconut-based soaps, carnauba and montan waxes. 

Go Green uses just four ounces of water per car. Compared to the 40 gallons per car used by traditional car washes, and 100-plus gallons used when washing a car in your driveway, the water saving are remarkable.

Wondering if the process will work as well as traditional water-based washes? Owner and founder Sal Barrera says there is nothing to worry about. 

"A lot of people don't believe you can wash your car without water. But then they see the finished product, and they are shocked," he says.

On the company's website, they describe the science behind the process:

"The detergents and wetting agents in the product combine to soften and emulsify surface grime, while a specific blend of fluids and lubricants attach a microscopic layer of protectant to the surface of the vehicle being washed. The protectant often contains extensive cross linked polymers, a complex mixture of cleaning elements, along glaze ingredients, which makes it extremely effective as a car wax."

Waterless will be the wave of the future, Barrera says. Due to water restrictions, washing your car in your driveway is already heavily restricted in parts of the U.S., including Florida, where he once lived. While there, he noticed the popularity of mobile car washes, and the lack of such companies when he moved back to northern New Jersey.

He seized the opportunity to be the first mobile, waterless car wash company in the tri-state area. It doesn't matter where you're parked, he comes to you. It is a feature Katie Schlientz greatly appreciates.

"Trying to get to the car wash isn't the easiest thing to do, so I thought it was great that they came to me, while I was at work," she says. "They did it right in the parking lot. It was so convenient."

The two-man team arrives in a Smart Car - the most eco-friendly car on the road, Berrara says.

The company promises that polishing your car regularly will give the paint a longer lifespan than a typical, water-powered car wash.

Schlientz, who typically visits the car wash twice each month, plans to use Go Green from now on. 

"It's convenient, inexpensive, and you can book right online. The fact that they're so green is just an exceptional added bonus," she says.

First-time customers receive a $10 discount. The coupon code is available on the website. You can book online, or call their office. Prices range depending on the size of the car and the degree of service you seek. The Eco Silver plan costs $25 for cars, Eco Gold is $35, and Eco Platinum, which includes a hand wax, is $125. The Eco Silver package includes tire shine, exterior hand wash, rims, windows, full vacuum, dashboard/console and door jams.

How does this compare with other local car washes? At Hoboken Car Wash, it's $8.56 for a wash, plus $3 for tire shine, $6 for mats, $8 for interior; or customers can choose a $22.99 package that includes all of the services offered in the Eco Silver plan. 

Go Green's slightly higher fees are offset by the time, energy and money saved by not having to drive to the car wash, or wait in line. It is a concept that Schlientz appreciates, and one that Barrera expects more and more customers to pick up on.

"It's just a matter of spreading the message," he reiterates, "This is the future. There will be a time when you don't go to a car wash at all."