When it comes to washing your car, you probably do it in your driveway or on the street. Car washes are for fancy washes! But it turns out that even though it might cost extra to pay for a wash, it’s better for the environment in more than one way.

First and foremost, water saving! Car washes use less water than what you would think and even if it’s one of those self serve ones. They usually cap you at a certain amount so you don’t just let it run. Plus there’s no chance that car wash time will lead to chase family and friends around the yard with the hose time. It could, but that would be really strange.

The other reason is pollution. Car washes recycle their water and when it’s good and gross, it goes directly to a water treatment plant. Your home wash doesn’t do that. Instead the water runs off into storm drains and ends up back in the environment. So next time you need a wash, consider going to the pros.