Dear wirecutter: what’s the best low-water car wash method?

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DEAR WIRECUTTER: WHAT’S THE BEST LOW-WATER CAR WASH METHOD? Published October 27, 2016 _Q: As a California resident, I’ve been looking for waterless or low-water car-cleaning options. Any


advice for those of us in California dealing with water restrictions?_ A LOW-WATER WASH OPTIMUM NO RINSE WASH & SHINE A special car-wash soap that helps conserve water. A: In our guide


“How to Wash, Wax, and Detail Your Car Like a Pro,” we recommend Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine for anyone who wants to conserve water. If you can spare the time and the water, it helps


to at least rinse your car of dust and other particles before getting started. But the soap itself needs only one or two gallons of water to wash a whole vehicle—if you use a single bucket


and you wash and dry the car in sections. You'll also encounter spray-on waterless car washes, such as Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax Anywhere, but we haven’t tested them. Pros and


enthusiasts say that this type of cleaner is better for cars that have only a light layer of dirt or dust, as trying to wipe off heavier dirt without water increases the chances of


inadvertently rubbing it into the paint and causing light scratching. _The Wirecutter’s editors answer reader questions all the time (much more than once a week). Send an email to


notes@thewirecutter.com, or talk to us on Twitter and Facebook. Published questions are edited for space and clarity._