Ecowash M.E.: How To Wash Your Car In A Water-Parched Desert

It is no longer necessary to waste gallons of water when washing your car. A new biodegradable product will keep it clean, and protect it from the harsh sun.

With virtually no freshwater resources, Dubai relies extensively on energy-intensive and environmentally-destructive desalination facilities to provide water. But the emirate also lies amidst a hot desert expanse with recurring sandstorms that leave in their wake dry land and dirty cars.

Dubai’s elite take their status symbols – such as cars – so seriously that they must be protected at every cost – even at the cost of 100 gallons per car wash. Though the folks behind the UAE’s new “ice park” are clearly blind to the perils of climate change, the Canadian founders of Ecowash M.E. aren’t, and have imported an environmentally sound method to save Dubai millions of liters of water each year.

Lots of liters

If each of Dubai’s 1,021,880 cars are washed once a week with conventional methods, the emirate would lose approximately 102,188,000 gallons of scarce water each week.

The Canadian auto car specialist washes cars in such a way that not only saves water, but prevents harmful chemicals from eventually entering existing groundwater.

“Ecowash M.E. provides a combination car wash, polish and protective glaze which is applied directly to a dirty surface without the use of water.”

Croftgate USA, the manufacturers of Aquanil, claims that the product consists of purified water, protectants, plant derivatives, food grade preservatives, and dye that meets EPA guidelines for safe chemicals.”

They do not use any petroleum products, hazardous materials, caustics, phosphates, or acids.

“75% of the organic carbon was mineralized in 28 days,” according to Stevens Ecology, the Oregon-based laboratory that tested Aquanil aerobic biodegradability.

“With the caveat that it is a mixture, rather than a pure substance, the sample appears to meet the OECD criteria for ‘readily biodegradeable’,” they added.

EPA’s golden seal

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also given Ecowash’s waterless car wash products their golden seal.

“This Qualifying Product only uses surfactants that biodegrade readily to non-polluting substances, which helps reduce stress on the environment, especially threats to aquatic life,” they reported.

47 Ingredients, including wetting agents, lubricants and protectants, combine to soften and emulsify surface dirt. An additional blend of polymeroxane fluids and hydrophenolic lubricants add a layer of PolyGuard-3 to the surface, which further protects against abrasian.

For less than $8 per wash, the company provides an overhaul that doesn’t scratch, protects cars against UV damage, and is suitable for glass and tinted windows.

Ecowash M.E. provides a mobile service throughout Dubai.

“…we come to you! An ecowash can be done anywhere – in a car park, on the street, at your home or even where you work,” according to their website.

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