A few years ago, a couple of teenagers knocked on our front door and asked if they could wash our car. There was no parent with them, nobody knew who they were, and it was all cash in hand. They did a decent job, but the whole thing felt like it could go wrong for them in a dozen ways. That moment is where the idea for KidsHustle came from, and car washing is still one of the best jobs a teenager can do, as long as it is done properly.
Why car washing works
- Almost every street has cars that need washing.
- The result is obvious, so customers can see straight away that you did a good job.
- It repeats, with plenty of people happy to book a wash every week or two.
- The kit is cheap and you probably already have most of it.
The kit you need
- Two buckets, one for soapy water and one for rinsing your mitt
- Proper car shampoo, not washing-up liquid, which strips wax
- A wash mitt and a separate sponge or brush for wheels
- Several clean microfibre cloths or a drying towel
- Glass cleaner and a separate cloth for windows
- A hose, or permission to use the customer's
How to wash a car without scratching it
- Rinse first to get loose dirt and grit off before you touch the paint.
- Do the wheels separately with their own brush, so brake dust never ends up on the paintwork.
- Wash top to bottom with the mitt, rinsing it in the clean bucket after each panel so grit goes there instead of back onto the car.
- Rinse again thoroughly.
- Dry with microfibre to avoid water spots, especially in sunshine.
- Finish the glass inside and out, and check the mirrors.
Avoid washing in strong direct sun if you can, because soap dries on the paint and leaves marks.
Add-ons that earn more
- Interior hoover, including mats and boot
- Wiping down the dashboard and door pockets
- Tyre shine
- Cleaning door sills and inside the fuel cap
What to charge
Roadside hand car washes typically charge around £5 to £12 for an exterior wash, and mobile valeters around £15 to £25, according to GetCarClean. As a teenager washing on the customer's own drive, a fair starting price is £8 to £12 for an exterior wash and £12 to £20 with an interior hoover, a bit more for large cars and vans. See the full price guide.
Finding regular customers
- Start with neighbours and family friends.
- Offer a regular slot, such as every other Saturday morning, so people do not have to think about booking.
- Do a few cars on the same street on the same morning to save time.
- Use KidsHustle, where adults near you post car washing jobs and your parent approves each one.
Doing it safely
- Only wash cars on driveways, never on the road.
- Make sure a parent knows where you are.
- Agree the price before you start, and avoid cash where you can.
- Do not move or start anyone's car, ever.
Find car washing jobs near you
This is exactly the kind of job KidsHustle was built for. Every job owner is ID-verified, your parent approves each job, and payment is set aside before you pick up a sponge. Download KidsHustle, or if you are a car owner, read how much a hand car wash costs.