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No car washing?

(34 Posts)
Growing0ldDisgracefully Thu 16-Apr-20 11:04:25

I read on another forum that people have been told on a TV chat show they shouldn't wash their cars during lockdown.

I didn't watch the programne but am genuine puzzled as to why not? Does this mean we also shouldn't cut the grass, weed the garden, wash our windows or hang washing out? All of these things, including car washing, are things we do outside at home. Are all of them banned?

Did anyone else see the programne and if so, was there further detail which explains this? Did this apply to the UK or was it abroad?

harrigran Wed 22-Apr-20 15:12:14

Franbern, the reason is very basic. Pressure washing the ground or car causes particles to rise into the air and you will be inhaling the droplets. Not corona virus in particular but anything that can compromise your immune system and may make you more liable to catch it.

Chestnut Wed 22-Apr-20 12:38:27

I can't see how washing your car has anything to do with the virus or contamination. Even if your car is in the street, why shouldn't you wash it? Anyone walking by can cross the road or stay at a distance. I was very surprised to hear Dr Hilary saying you can't wash your car, as I'm not sure that is even mentioned in 'the rules' at all.

Franbern Wed 22-Apr-20 12:37:25

harrigran - why would you not clean your patio/path or your car at present? Love to know your reasons.

Coolgran65 Tue 21-Apr-20 22:24:10

Like Monica, my car is rarely washed. I only do about 1k miles each year, or just less. we use dh's car mainly. My little Yaris sits on the drive and must cause heartache to my lovely ndn who washes his car every other evening.
When I say my car is washed rarely it gets done each year before it's MOT. It was due for MOT last month which of course was cancelled. Thing is, it never looks bad.
I might just wash it tomorrow. I'm feeling guilty.

vampirequeen Tue 21-Apr-20 21:41:31

We wash our car regularly as the Sahara keeps depositing itself on it and the birds keep using it for target practise.

PamelaJ1 Tue 21-Apr-20 21:41:29

GrowingoldDisgracefull, you can buy paint now. B&q click and collect.

kircubbin2000 Tue 21-Apr-20 21:25:16

I think there is a serious lack of common sense at the moment. My friend ,who lives in the middle of nowhere, was worried she would not be able to drive 2 miles to the garage to get milk.I asked her who would see her or know as there are never any police about.Another friend would not go outside as she had already had her walk! I despair.

harrigran Thu 16-Apr-20 19:40:05

I wouldn't wash the car or pressure wash the paths at present but that is a personal choice.

SuzannahM Thu 16-Apr-20 16:37:00

We were just saying yesterday that it was like a throwback to the 1970s round here over the last week.

Almost every car in our road was washed - in a road where no one ever washes a car (they take them to the car wash I assume). Except ours, which is still a bit mucky grin

M0nica Thu 16-Apr-20 16:26:09

ninathenana, In that situation I would be washing regularly. My car currently has a garage, which I use for it, which helps, but I have never been a car nurturer, even when I parked on the road as I had no garage.

Minimoon, as his partner has a car, all that is needed is a pair of jump leads. I always have a pair in the boot, you never know when they come in useful.

Ohmother Thu 16-Apr-20 16:18:09

Are some people getting virus mixed up with drowt?

ninathenana Thu 16-Apr-20 16:00:06

# the telegraph pole is a perch for the seagulls.

ninathenana Thu 16-Apr-20 15:58:45

M0nica We live on a main road opposite the sea and have a telegraph pole at the end of our short drive. If DH didn't clean it fairly regularly we wouldn't be able to see the paint work.
Is it not advisable to clean and polish your car to preserve the paint work.

GrannyGravy13 Thu 16-Apr-20 13:36:09

Haven't washed a car since 1985, Mr.GG pointed out that I had left a 6" line unwashed along the roof, I pointed out that I was 6 months pregnant, 5'2" and although I was standing on a set of small steps I still couldn't reach!!!!!

I vowed then that I would never ever attempt to wash his or my car again, and I have stuck to that vow!!!!

(Like Monica my car had its first full service beginning of March which included a full valet so it is pristine on the inside whilst gathering dust on the outside)

Growing0ldDisgracefully Thu 16-Apr-20 13:30:46

Exactly Mawb. And agree with Paddyanne, some people will find it essential to have activities to occupy them. This does seem to come under the overkill category which some Police forces were practicing. I'll make the flippant comment that we can't just be expected to sit at home and watch the paint dry - because we can't buy the paint in the first place! Nor live on bread and water because of judgements being made on what we should and shouldn't buy to eat! Lockdown grumble over!

MiniMoon Thu 16-Apr-20 13:24:53

Everyone who is worried about washing their car, take a warning from my son. He wants to cut his hedge and asked if he could borrow his Dad's hedge trimmer and his pruners. He got into his car to come and get them while his partner did their shopping. His car wouldn't start. He had left it too long and now the battery is flat. They used his partner's car, but now he has the problem of getting his started.
He didn't think to go out and start it, and drive it up and down the road, to keep it ticking over.

M0nica Thu 16-Apr-20 13:24:21

I am amazed that anyone washes their car anyway. Mine gets a wash once a year when it has its annual Gold Service. Very occasionally when road conditions are really clarty, I take it through the carwash at the garage, but that is all.

Mind you this year, the week before the shutdown it had its Gold service and complete valeting (part of the service) then two days later went to the marque garage for a safety recall, who also gave it a complementary valeting. The car is stillr ecovering from the shock.

HootyMcOwlface Thu 16-Apr-20 13:22:59

Guilty your honour. You got me bang to rights, best lock me up! I washed my car a couple of days ago, and cut my lawn last week. I could do with mowing it again. Now, where did I put that balaclava?

paddyanne Thu 16-Apr-20 13:15:20

My OH has to stay busy ,he gets cabin fever otherwise and his mood drops ,then he stresses about anything and everything.Its what caused his heart attacks .We have two cars and a van on our drive ,he has washed them and cleaned them inside shampooed the seats and checked for any minor faults that he can fix.He's weeded ,cut grass, trimmed trees now in the process of demolishing some stone steps with a masonry drill and lifting block paving.He's relaxed at the end of the day ,and tired.His mental health depends of on him keeping himself busy ,people need to be sensible and non judgemental

Maggiemaybe Thu 16-Apr-20 13:10:46

I think we’d rather grab the excuse to justify not washing the car. grin

MamaCaz Thu 16-Apr-20 13:07:20

Washing a car can be a good form of exercise, so should be recommended as long as social distancing is observed!

Chestnut Thu 16-Apr-20 12:42:54

I can't see why you shouldn't wash your car on your own property. And are mechanical car washes still open? No reason why you shouldn't go into one of those if you are buying petrol for work. It involves no human contact except to pay which is done electronically same as any purchase.

MawB Thu 16-Apr-20 12:38:47

Isn’t there a danger that we will stop taking any notice of these pronouncements which amount to overkill
Too many pundits seem to be making it up as they go along.
Why not wash your car ? Questioning that, you feel you could question some of the other draconian measures. Even some police forces are admitting now that their “interpretation” of government advice has been over-zealous.
If my DD and SIL stuck in their tiny 2 up 2 down London terraced house want to take their 1 year old to the park they (ostensibly) are not allowed to sit on the grass for a few minutes when they get there . They are being very good about observing all the guidelines but rather like those people walking in the Peak District miles (literally) from anybody - surely there is room for common sense?

vampirequeen Thu 16-Apr-20 12:37:36

We washed the car on the road this morning (we don't have a drive). No one was in the street. I can't see the problem. The Sahara had dropped on it again overnight so we had to do it.

ninathenana Thu 16-Apr-20 12:34:38

DH washed our car on our driveway yesterday. I cannot think of any reason why you should not do this.
Garden maintenance companies are still working. You do not need to cine into contact with a client if your working in their garden. So again no reason why you can't mow your lawn or weed flower beds. Does that not cone under permitted exercise anyway.