Is there a biodegradable car-washing soap that’s safe for runoff into street gutters?
Biodegradable, yes; safe, no. Biodegradable car-washing soaps do exist, but even these are unsafe for gutters, which drain into nearby waterways. Biodegradable soaps are still toxic to fish; they’re just toxic for a shorter time. Plus, the oil, grease, and automotive grime rinsed from your car will pollute the water. Instead, go to a commercial car wash that recycles its water. If you must wash your own car, do it on the lawn or a gravel area where the water will soak into the ground instead of draining into the gutter. Find more advice for your everyday dilemmas in the new paperless magazine Greenlight.
