Maximize the profitability of car washes through sustainability, efficiency, smart selling, technology innovation and customer experience by 2025.
Over the years, the car wash industry has become more and more competitive. With more businesses opening every month, it is important to stay ahead of the curve and minimize inefficiencies.
Protect your market share by optimizing your 2025 car wash business operations with these tips.
1. Switch to green cleaning supplies
Sustainability isn’t a fad — it’s now the standard. Consumers have come to expect organizations to champion environmental conservation and social consciousness. The carwashes that refuse to change with the times stand to lose out on future business.
Unlike other businesses, carwash activities are public. You can’t clean vehicles behind the scenes, so many customers may wonder what happens to your wastewater when discharged into the environment. To withstand scrutiny, you should pursue eco-friendly initiatives like using greener supplies.
Thankfully, your range of options is only getting wider. You won’t be hard-pressed to find cleaners with biodegradable ingredients, which can lift dirt and break down grease as well as conventional detergents. Organic waxes come from renewable resources and don’t release toxins when used.
Read product labels, and be wary of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances — a family of about 15,000 synthetic chemicals in common sprays, rinses and waxes.1 These substances are harmful to plants and may be detrimental to humans. Even worse, they’re practically indestructible, earning them the name “forever chemicals.”
Moreover, stock up on ultra-concentrated liquids. These products have lighter and more compact packaging, making them easy to transport and store. They’re less likely to spill and leak, helping cut your costs.
More importantly, these products can help keep your employees healthy. Minimal exposure to toxic chemicals may help ensure your staff is in good physical shape and mental fitness to serve your customers. It can curb presenteeism and boost productivity.
2. Invest in water recycling systems
Upgrading to a water reclamation system engineered to capture, collect,t and treat your wastewater after cleaning for reuse instead of draining it into your sewer system will take your sustainability efforts to new heights.2 This equipment filters out the impurities, helping reduce your water consumption and making waste management more effortless. Some solutions also include sterilization to kill bacteria.
You pair your system with a reclaim-friendly liquid to improve filtration, enhance water clarity, and remove unpleasant odors. This eco-friendly product also inhibits sludge formation, easing maintenance and reducing repair costs.
A state-of-the-art water recycling system is a big-ticket purchase. However, it makes good press and stellar marketing.3 Branding yourself as a green full-service carwash and auto detailing business can quickly grow your customer base and justify more expensive services.
3. Rationalize inventory management
Controlling your inventory is the key to controlling your expenses. If you can’t control your costs, you can’t succeed — no matter how much revenue you rake in.
Rule number one is to have a solid plan to level out your cost of goods sold. You should only store what you can consume to keep your supplies cost within a specific percentage of your monthly revenue. This way, your cash flow becomes more predictable.
Review your historical data to determine which products last for how long and how much you should keep on hand monthly. Such insights matter in forecasting, allowing you to schedule your orders without letting your inventory reach dangerously low levels between deliveries.
Working with reliable suppliers should go without saying. Many impose minimum order quantities. However, don’t be afraid to challenge them to avoid surplus inventory and find partners that can accommodate your emergency requests when you run out of supplies ahead of schedule. Rational suppliers are willing to compromise with dependable buyers, so ensure you pay your invoices punctually.
Proper inventory management is also vital to safety. Consider investing in material handling equipment to streamline operations and reduce workplace hazards.
Renting used forklifts minimizes expenses and aligns with your environmental goals because secondhand equipment is circular. Review your options and make sure you’re getting a specialty forklift suited to the needs of your specific operation.4
4. Rethink your sales strategy
Psychology plays a crucial role in sales. If you can anticipate how your target customers think and behave, you can optimize your business menu and pricing accordingly.
For example, diversifying your plans allows you to satisfy every budget and generate more sales. The classic strategy is to offer basic, medium and premium packages. Customers view them as good, better and best. The perception of greater value compels people to gravitate toward the mid- and top-tier offerings.
Upselling is another strategy you should leverage. Consumers are more likely to listen to recommendations from carwash attendants and auto detailers. The public views your employees as experts, so increase their product knowledge through intensive training. Figure out which products with the highest profit margins offer the best value in various situations to teach your employees when to upsell proactively and naturally.
Double down on your membership program. Offering perks to members induces brand loyalty and brings a steady stream of revenue into your coffers.
If your program doesn’t attract as many customers as you like, you may need to market the value of paying an annual membership more aggressively.5 If your upward profit trajectory is disproportionate to your membership growth, you may be too generous with your benefits. Recalibrate your program to squeeze revenue from it without alienating or upsetting your existing members to prevent cancellations.
5. Launch a practical mobile app
A mobile app for your carwash and auto detailing business enables you to engage with your customers more effectively and collect data on their purchase decisions. It’s a powerful tool to roll out exciting features to keep people glued to your brand and deliver a better experience.6
Use your mobile app to accept online bookings, allowing customers to preschedule their visits conveniently. This capability also guarantees you have an immediate spot for them when they arrive, giving your busy customers peace of mind.
QR code-based check-in is another worthwhile app feature. It can simplify check-in and reduce face-to-face employee interaction, so keep the steps as few as possible.
Consider recording your cleaning sessions. Provide live video feeds to your customers to let them remotely watch over their vehicles. Shareable videos make organic marketing and turn your customers into brand ambassadors.
Increasing profit in 2025
Optimizing carwash operations at every turn can be challenging. However, innovating and minimizing inefficiencies are crucial for maintaining your market share and growing your customer base in a highly competitive industry.
Is an Automatic Wash Machine Right for Your Business?
Ready to revolutionize your car wash business? Contact our team today to discover how this advanced system can boost your efficiency and profits. Schedule a consultation and see the future of car washing in action.
Mattias – Car Wash Machines is a subsidiary of Balance Group. which is a high-tech enterprise specializing in the research development and production of fully automatic car washing machine equipment. The company is located in Shanghai, China. The main automatic car washing machines mainly include self-service car wash machines, conveyor car wash equipment(Tunnel Car Wash Machine), fully automatic gantry car washing machines(Inbay Automatic Car Wash Machines), touchless car washing machines(Contactless Car Wash Machines), and bus truck washing machines. No need for manual duty, or computer intelligent control, the car washing machine is divided into brush car wash machines and brushless car washing machines to meet different car washing needs such as gas stations and auto beauty shops.
