Green Car Care: Winter 2016 Edition

Simple, Eco-Friendly Tips To Clean and Care for a Vehicle

Living in an apartment building or community allows for many conveniences that individuals who live in a single family or town home do not experience.

During the winter, some people need to shovel out their sidewalks and driveways; but by living in an apartment community, the dedicated team members and maintenance staff does that task for the residents!  You save a lot of time and energy by being able to get to your car with ease.

If your apartment community has an outdoor parking lot, however; you might want to remember some green tips for maintaining, cleaning, and scraping the ice and frost from your car:

1) Natural Ways To Prevent Frost:

It is easy to prevent ice from forming on your car windows without harmful chemicals before a big winter storm hits.  If you know a snow storm is coming through your area, try to prevent ice and frost on your car by rubbing it with a salt-water soaked sponge or soft cloth the day or night prior.  Then, gently pat your car dry with a soft, clean cloth.  A vinegar mixture with water will also prevent frost from forming if applied in moderation to your vehicle.


2) Removing Ice The Green Way:

Rock salt is one of the worst products for the environment available.  The sodium chloride mixture seeps into the ground and creates harmful run-off.  Use sand instead, as it is natural and protects the soil and grass.

3) Reduce Idling
Do you turn on your car and let it sit in order to warm it up?  This not only reduces fuel but also produces harmful gasses that are released into the air.  The best way to heat up your car is to drive it, even for a few minutes around your parking lot.  Always air on the side of caution, however; if the weather looks detrimental it might be best to stay in side.

This blog was re-purposed and edited from one of our most popular 2015 posts.  Read the original here.

These tips were inspired by "Winter Green: Ecofriendly Ways to Stay Healthy this Season" from Whole Living at http://www.wholeliving.com/.

Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more about Grady Management on our website or Facebook page.