My situation with question...
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 182
Likes: 1
From: Odessa, TX
My situation with question...
So here's the situation. The lack of rain where I live has prompted the city government to impose "water nuisance" laws which includes "...washing of any vehicle on residence driveways is prohibited." So I'm thinking of rolling my softail onto my lawn during my assigned lawn watering day and time and washing it then. Here's my question: Would anyone on here know if the various vehicle washing detergents are harsh enough that they will harm my lawn? Or, does anyone know of a vehicle detergent that will not harm my lawn? Thanks in advance for any info.
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 3
From: Stamford, CT
I doubt you will get around the ticket... I've never seen grass die from soap before. When I backwash my pool it goes straight on the lawn and everything is fine there. Not that I expect chlorine or bleach to be present in car wash detergent but if that don't kill it I doubt any cleaning product (besides tar remover) will kill it.
Fill a bucket with suds and dump it on an inconspicuous part of your lawn first as a test.
Fill a bucket with suds and dump it on an inconspicuous part of your lawn first as a test.
Last edited by Jags93; Jul 20, 2011 at 01:20 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,513
Likes: 4
From: Midland, TX
Growing up, we always washed our cars in the lawn and mixed up a bucket of soapy water using dish washing detergent. Never had a problem with the grass.
Unless my bike is terribly dirty, I normally just take a bucket of clear water and a sponge to wash it and do it in the garage out of the sun.
I live 20 miles away. One good thing about the drought, I don't have to mow the grass as often. ha!
Unless my bike is terribly dirty, I normally just take a bucket of clear water and a sponge to wash it and do it in the garage out of the sun.
I live 20 miles away. One good thing about the drought, I don't have to mow the grass as often. ha!
We have pretty strict water restrictions sometimes too. Finally switched my front yard into a zero scape. No more watering the "barely hanging on cuz you can only water this day and that day" grass. Glad it's gone and saving on the water bill. We live in a desert anyway, why not look the part?
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Eastern Washington
A good car wash detergent is pretty mild anyway. Should be fine. Now if yo had a lot of oil that washed off that may do something. I spilled a small amount of gas when filling the lawnmower and it left a little spot, but grew back eventually
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,831
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From: Nomad
Don't know how the local law would look at it, but if you do it, you could use something like Simple Green.
It's popular with boaters because they can just spray it off the deck and the marina ***** don't mind. It's non-toxic and biodegradable.
It's popular with boaters because they can just spray it off the deck and the marina ***** don't mind. It's non-toxic and biodegradable.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
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From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Some master gardeners actually recommend using a mixture of Soap, ammonia, Beer, and even chewing backa mixed in Ur hose sprayer to use for natural fertilizers sprays.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 523
Likes: 2
From: New England
I found a car wash near where I work. Drive in, put in two tokens ($2) grab the nozzle off the wall and I have three minutes to wet the bike, cover it in S100 and rinse it off. I then roll it into the parking lot and wipe it down. Chamois and S100 fit in the saddlebags.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
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From: Rolla
So here's the situation. The lack of rain where I live has prompted the city government to impose "water nuisance" laws which includes "...washing of any vehicle on residence driveways is prohibited." So I'm thinking of rolling my softail onto my lawn during my assigned lawn watering day and time and washing it then. Here's my question: Would anyone on here know if the various vehicle washing detergents are harsh enough that they will harm my lawn? Or, does anyone know of a vehicle detergent that will not harm my lawn? Thanks in advance for any info.
I wouldn't use any strong degreasers though.
As someone else stated, Simple Green won't cause any damage either.
Just don't dump a whole bottle of it out in one spot.
