Did you know that washing your car at home is potentially harmful to the environment? The runoff water can go untreated into storm drains and into rivers, streams and wetlands. But there are ways to be eco-friendly was to go about doing it.

Running the hose can use up more water than going to the carwash. So use less by using an automatic nozzle on your hose to stop and control the flow of water or use a bucket and turn the hose off altogether.

Also, don't wash your car in direct sunlight this prevents quick evaporation that leaves water spots causing you to go over it again and rinsing with water.

At home, make your own soap with one cup liquid dishwashing detergent and three-fourths cup of powdered laundry detergent with three gallons of water. Try to wash over grass or permeable pavement so the unclean water is absorbed and neutralized in the ground.

When wiping up, use cloth instead of paper towels to cut down on waste and empty wash buckets in the sink or toilet so the water can get treated, and not end up contaminating the local water supply.