Washing Without a Hosepipe

GagHalfrunt · 5th April 2012, 13:00

I have the misfortune of being in a Thames Valley Water area despite being in the Midlands.

So hosepipes are now banned.

I've always used hosepipes for rinsing cars, buckets never seem to get enough cleaner off.

Are there any easy solutions?

MangoMan · 5th April 2012, 14:18

I couldn't use hosepipes for years in Zim so what I did was basically wash the car after actually washing it but with just plain water, no shampoo/soap - but maybe use 2 to 3 buckets of plain water instead of just the one when washing....
I actually found that it rinced the soap off better!

rovexCDTi · 5th April 2012, 14:22

You need Optimum No-Rinse.

Search Youtube for the best way to use it. I have some and its great for a quick washdown with one or 2 buckets only. Its trick is that it encapsulates the dirt preventing it from returning with each wipe of the sponge (yes sponge!).

Its also great as a quick detailer and clay lube.

whitevanman · 5th April 2012, 17:12

I thought we were in the ban area, until I received a nice text from Essex & Suffolk to say they have not enforced a ban but will monitor the situation carefully.

So that'll be both cars and the bikes washed this weekend weather permitting!!

suzublu · 5th April 2012, 18:54

Why don't all you in the hosepipe ban areas,fill up a load of buckets & take them to your nearest reservoir & fill it up

GagHalfrunt · 5th April 2012, 19:12

Looking at O.N.R.....

I thought Sponges were the evil of cleaning? Wouldn't it move the grit all over the bodywork scratching it?

I like in the countryside so have to deal with thick mud regularly.

Unclefista · 20th April 2012, 12:47

Recently I've seen a TV advert for Karcher pressure washers extolling their washers as using much less water than a hosepipe, and that all their range can be run from a bucket therefore avoiding the hosepipe ban.
Can't remember specifics, I wasn't interested (I'm in wet Yorkshire)

karl_683 · 23rd April 2012, 13:40

Washed the car with ONR for the first time yesterday, all I can say is its witchcraft! No marring at all.

Greeners · 23rd April 2012, 14:02

Run a pressure washer off a water butt, rain water is the best thing for wash the car as it leaves very little residue that tap water seems to have.

GagHalfrunt · 1st May 2012, 11:06

I think I'll be trying ONR, a large part of me is scared of adding yet more swirls to my tired bodywork!

5th April 2012, 13:00	#1
GagHalfrunt Gets stuck in MG ZT190+ Solar Red Commission No: 396 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Very North Cotswolds Posts: 702 Thanks: 17 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Washing Without a Hosepipe I have the misfortune of being in a Thames Valley Water area despite being in the Midlands. So hosepipes are now banned. I've always used hosepipes for rinsing cars, buckets never seem to get enough cleaner off. Are there any easy solutions? __________________ Dave D. Vell, He'z Juzt Ziz Guy Y'Know?

5th April 2012, 14:18	#2
MangoMan This is my second home Looking.... Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: England Posts: 10,911 Thanks: 862 Thanked 1,111 Times in 868 Posts	I couldn't use hosepipes for years in Zim so what I did was basically wash the car after actually washing it but with just plain water, no shampoo/soap - but maybe use 2 to 3 buckets of plain water instead of just the one when washing.... I actually found that it rinced the soap off better! __________________ *Regards, Bill - (MangoMan).* (Member 00854) http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/...d.jpg~original

5th April 2012, 14:22	#3
rovexCDTi This is my second home MG ZT+ 135 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Exeter Posts: 3,626 Thanks: 9 Thanked 42 Times in 26 Posts	You need Optimum No-Rinse. Search Youtube for the best way to use it. I have some and its great for a quick washdown with one or 2 buckets only. Its trick is that it encapsulates the dirt preventing it from returning with each wipe of the sponge (yes sponge!). Its also great as a quick detailer and clay lube. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

5th April 2012, 17:12	#4
whitevanman This is my second home 2001 Connie SE CDT, 2002 2.0Petrol Laguna SportHatch Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Althorne Posts: 3,122 Thanks: 319 Thanked 441 Times in 318 Posts	I thought we were in the ban area, until I received a nice text from Essex & Suffolk to say they have not enforced a ban but will monitor the situation carefully. So that'll be both cars and the bikes washed this weekend weather permitting!! __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Today the 23rd of April I will mostly be: Kids, bikes, dog, kids, bikes, dog...Seems to be a pattern forming here Car: Connie SE CDT Manual, Mods: O-Rings, Silicon intercooler hose, Stainless EGR Bypass, BMW PCV Mod, 160 Upgrade, DD Unit, Projector Headlights, Powerflex Bottom Mount, Remote Clutch reservoir, SS Compensator; Inline Stat To Come: cat gut (when replacing iffy section). Meteors after refurb..

5th April 2012, 19:12	#6
GagHalfrunt Gets stuck in MG ZT190+ Solar Red Commission No: 396 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Very North Cotswolds Posts: 702 Thanks: 17 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Looking at O.N.R..... I thought Sponges were the evil of cleaning? Wouldn't it move the grit all over the bodywork scratching it? I like in the countryside so have to deal with thick mud regularly. __________________ Dave D. Vell, He'z Juzt Ziz Guy Y'Know?

5th April 2012, 18:54	#5
suzublu This is my second home rover 75 1.8 vvc club se wedgwood blue Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seaton Carew Posts: 26,955 Thanks: 65 Thanked 7,142 Times in 4,642 Posts	Why don't all you in the hosepipe ban areas,fill up a load of buckets & take them to your nearest reservoir & fill it up

20th April 2012, 12:47	#7
Unclefista Posted a thing or two Rover 75 CDT Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Bradford Posts: 1,478 Thanks: 1 Thanked 14 Times in 8 Posts	Recently I've seen a TV advert for Karcher pressure washers extolling their washers as using much less water than a hosepipe, and that all their range can be run from a bucket therefore avoiding the hosepipe ban. Can't remember specifics, I wasn't interested (I'm in wet Yorkshire) __________________ Love is like a snowmobile, speeding across the frozen tundra. Which suddenly flips, pinning you underneath. At night the ice-weasels come... http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5331/6...77671f80_n.jpg

23rd April 2012, 13:40	#8
karl_683 Loves to post Jaguar X-Type Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Peterborough Posts: 323 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Washed the car with ONR for the first time yesterday, all I can say is its witchcraft! No marring at all. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Member No. 494 - Visit my DeviantART Profile: http://karl683.deviantart.com/

23rd April 2012, 14:02	#9
Greeners Moderator MG-ZTT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 19,798 Thanks: 161 Thanked 1,249 Times in 1,036 Posts	Run a pressure washer off a water butt, rain water is the best thing for wash the car as it leaves very little residue that tap water seems to have. __________________ *David* Impecunity is the mother of ingenuity Useful how to's for common problems Car Of The Month Jan 2014 [SatNav Power Down] [Coolant Level] [SatNav Repair] [Diesel Non Starting] [Paint Codes] [Rear Light Seals] [Reversing Light Switch] [Bleeding Brakes][Sunroof Drain] [Early ZT's][Instrument Pack Diagnostics][ATC Diagnostics]

1st May 2012, 11:06	#10
GagHalfrunt Gets stuck in MG ZT190+ Solar Red Commission No: 396 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Very North Cotswolds Posts: 702 Thanks: 17 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	I think I'll be trying ONR, a large part of me is scared of adding yet more swirls to my tired bodywork! __________________ Dave D. Vell, He'z Juzt Ziz Guy Y'Know?