This Small Business Blows Minds with Waterless Car Wash

The easy road is to accept life the way it is. Question nothing. Be “normal.”

Austinite Ty Mahoney was climbing the corporate ladder, which at some point in many of our lives holds a magnetic allure. But he didn’t like the way he was treated, and he didn’t like the compromises being made in the name of success.

So, like many entrepreneurs, he jumped without knowing exactly where he was going to land.

The Problems with Auto Detailing

Ty had experience in auto detailing, but the accepted rhythms of that industry weren’t working for him. For his customers’ convenience, he used to clean and detail vehicles at office buildings, or in parking lots. But in many cases his team would be thrown out. They were told the run-off from their cleaning products was polluting the environment, or that they were using too much water.

Based on the problems he saw, Ty chose to question accepted assumptions about the detailing industry. Austin, like so many cities around the country, is experiencing water shortages. Water restrictions will likely be tightened in the future, making excessive water for car washes an even bigger issue.

Not only that, but unlike the past, not everyone has a single-family dwelling with a spacious driveway…especially in Austin! For those who live downtown, share a communal parking lot or garage, or would like their car detailed while they’re at work during the day, traditional methods of car washing and detailing don’t work.

Austin Eco Detailing Challenges Status Quo

Ty knew the problems he was facing: excessive water use, polluting products, location restrictions. So he set out to find a solution, based on the needs of the Austin community and their environmental concerns.

He had heard of a waterless cleaning agent, but it was petroleum based. Though it answered the water use concern, it didn’t solve the pollution problem. He kept looking, and discovered two eco-friendly products he wanted to test. Out of the two, he picked the one that didn’t harm paint and was the most effective on his own vehicle.

I knew I could only get so much information from Ty about his cleaning product. It is a trade secret, after all. I know it’s made in the United States, and that Ty says great things about the owner of the company. But how could I know it worked?

Does a Waterless Car Wash Work?

Eager to test something that seemed too good to be true, I offered my vehicle as a guinea pig. Ty came out to my non-traditional location – an RV park off of I-35 – and got to work on our hulking Jeep Commander.

I watched as he worked. He had two spray bottles and a bevy of microfiber cloths. He would spray a light mist of water on trouble spots only, before spraying on his eco-friendly cleaner and wiping down the area. As he began to wipe, he applied a small amount of pressure, removing the layer of dirt and grime. That done, he began to buff in a circular motion.

He repeated these steps all the way around Smaug (yes, our Jeep has an awesome name). The one product accomplishes three things: it cleans, waxes and protects. By the end of the detailing, the vehicle was gorgeous. Not only that, but the results held up over time, proving the repellant value of the product.

I don’t think I would believe this if I didn’t see it for myself. Doesn’t it sound too good to be true? I can get my car washed with a product that doesn’t harm the environment, uses about 6 oz. of water, and this can be accomplished in virtually any location. So cool!

Support Innovative Small Businesses

Austin Eco Detailing offers five different wash and detail packages. The Mini Detail starts at $49 for a small car and includes an exterior hand wash, cleaning windows inside and out, vacuuming floor carpet and mats, wiping down dashboard, center console and cup holders, and cleaning wheels and tires.

The detailing service speaks for itself. But beyond that, I was impressed by Ty’s professionalism and courtesy from our first interactions via email. He’s a hustler who believes in what he’s doing and cares about customer service.

I highly recommend you try Austin Eco Detailing’s waterless car wash. I think you’ll love the results, and it’ll make for the perfect conversation starter too!

 

@QuasiBrit asks:

Have you ever had a waterless car wash?