How to Organize a Charity Car Wash

A charity car wash is a great way to raise funds and awareness for any school or organization. First, choose a good time and location to hold the event. Then take steps to effectively manage your volunteers and budgeting to ensure you have enough helping hands and resources to provide a good car wash. Marketing techniques before and during the car wash will also help you bring in more patrons and, as a result, raise more money for your cause. Lastly, taking time to efficiently set up the space right before the event will ensure it goes off without a hitch!

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Choosing the Date and Venue

Download Article

1
Choose a date and time to hold the car wash event. Be sure to check that the weather is good because people won't want to get their cars washed on (or right before) rainy days. Weekends are also a good time because most people won’t be rushing to and from work or school.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Make sure the day you pick will work for everyone in your group.
2
Find a location for the car wash that has necessary amenities. Think about all the amenities you’ll need for the car wash and choose a location that offers those things. For instance, you’ll need a place where you can set up a hose line or fill buckets with water. Parking lots are typically the best option for car washes.^{[2]XResearch source}
- You might also want to have access to a bathroom or shade nearby (especially if it’s a hot day) for your volunteers and customers.
Advertisement
3
Choose a location with lots of visibility to get the most customers. Pick a spot that’s visible and easily accessible to drivers. For instance, a parking lot on the side of a busy road near an intersection will likely get more customers than a lot on a quiet residential street.^{[3]XResearch source}
- If you’re organizing the event for your church or highschool, try to be near your own neighborhood for the sake of convenience and safety.
4
Ask the property owners about letting you use the space. Tell the property owners you'll be working for a charity or school and they'll be more likely to let you have the space. Let them know the date and time of the car wash and, if necessary, whether your volunteers and customers might want to use their amenities.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Be friendly and understanding if they say no.
- Make sure that the date and time you've chosen is good for them, too.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Coordinating Volunteers

Download Article

1
Create a sign-up sheet to keep track of your volunteers. Determine how many people from your group or community are willing to participate. You can post a sign-up sheet in common areas like hallways or designated school, work, or church bulletin boards.^{[5]XResearch source}
- You can also use an online signup sheet like VolunteerSpot or ScheduleOnce.
- Be clear about the timing on the sign-up sheet and dedicate a column for people to write down the times they’re available if you need to break the day into shifts.
2
Create a list of roles and tasks for your volunteers to sign up for. Have volunteers sign up for particular tasks and be clear about various duties associated with each role. For example: “Sign holders will be stationed on the sidewalk greeting people,” or “Ushers will collect money and direct cars into the washing zone.” You’ll probably need the following roles:^{[6]XResearch source}
- Sign holders and greeters - Have a few volunteers stationed on street corners near the car wash with their signs. Instruct them to stand about half a block away from the car wash so they can direct people into the area, if necessary. They’ll need to be energetic and be able to speak about the cause to draw people in.
- Car washers - Dedicate at least 2 people to be washing cars. 4 or 5 washers is ideal so 2 people can be working on a single car at the same time. Washing multiple cars can be exhausting, so they’ll need to have some physical stamina. When it comes to this task, the more people, the better!
- Cash collectors - Designate 1 person as the official cash collector. They’ll be the ones doing cash and credit transactions either at car windows or at a table. They’ll need to be friendly and be able to talk about the cause.
- Concession vendors (optional) - If you choose to sell drinks and snacks at the carwash to collect more donations, you’ll need to have 1 person to be stationed at the table. They’ll also need to have a cash box or pouch.
3
Break up the day into shifts for your volunteers to sign up for. People have busy schedules, so breaking up the day into 1 to 2 hour shifts can increase the numbers of volunteers you get. Also, washing cars is hard work and other roles might be deemed boring, so your volunteers probably won’t want to stick with any single task for more than an hour or two.^{[7]XResearch source}
- If you like, leave space for volunteers to list their preferred tasks.
- Be clear about the timing of each shift so your volunteers know the exact times they’re signing up for. For example:
  Molly: Cash collector - shift 1 (12:00PM - 1:00PM), Car washer - shift 2 (1:00PM - 2:00PM)
  Jared: Sign holder / greeter - shift 1 (12:00PM - 1:00PM), Cash collector - shift 2 (1:00PM - 2:00PM).
4
Gather volunteers ahead of time to do a practice run, if possible. Schedule a day where your volunteers meet up to practice washing cars before the actual event. This act as a way to ensure adequate speed and quality of the wash.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Consider switching around the roles if some people are naturally better at other tasks. For instance, if a car washer is low in energy and needs some food, allow them to swap roles with the cash collector or someone at the concessions stand (if you have one).
- Use a timer on your smartphone to see how long it takes your volunteers to wash a single car. This is important to know if you want to advertise it as a quick wash or if drivers are in a hurry.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Managing Budget and Pricing

Download Article

1
Determine a fair price for your car wash or make it donation-based. Usually, $5 is a good amount, but be sure to adjust the price for special services like waxing or interior detailing. You may also up the price when it comes to large SUV or vans. Alternatively, you can ask for donations, which can sometimes result in more revenue than charging for the wash outright.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Keep in mind that you’ll also need to designate a volunteer to candle cash.
2
Plan a detailed budget that covers supplies and other materials. Determine your budget before you go shopping for supplies. Most of the funds should be allocated towards necessary materials. Then, if you have some left over, you can think about non-necessities. If you are offered discretionary funds from your school or organizations, whoever approved the funds will probably want to see and approve a copy as well.^{[10]XResearch source}
- For instance, if you have a budget of $50, allocate $30 to $40 towards buckets, soap, polishing tools, and anything else you might need. Then, spend around $10 on posters, markers, and other items needed for advertising. Whatever’s left over can be spent on extra supplies or, if applicable, concessions.
- If you’re working with a strict budget, go to the store where you plan to purchase items first to tally up the prices.
3
Pool your group’s resources to borrow or buy necessary items. Ask your school or community center if they have advertising materials like poster boards and markers. Also, ask your volunteers if they already have some of the materials you’ll need or if they’re willing to chip in to buy said items.^{[11]XResearch source}
- Things like rags and buckets are pretty common household items, so it doesn’t hurt to ask if you’re working with little or no budget!
4
Buy 1 or 2 cash boxes or pouches to collect donations. Go to a value-priced or secondhand store to purchase a secure cash box to collect dollars and coins. You can also get a fanny pack so the cash collector can wear it around while doing other tasks (like washing cars!).^{[12]XResearch source}
- You can use a shoebox or other vessel to hold the cash, but just make sure to put it in a location that’s not too conspicuous or accessible by passersby.
- If you’re only designating 1 person to collect cash, only have 1 box or pouch. If you have 2 collectors (1 for the car wash, 1 for nearby concessions), get 2 different vessels.
5
Get a credit card swiper to take non-cash payments and donations. If possible, buy a bluetooth or plug-in card reader that’s compatible with your phone so you can take credit cards. Or, ask your school, organization, or group of volunteers if you can borrow one for the event.^{[13]XResearch source}
- Magnetic stripe card readers cost anywhere from $4 to $10, so incorporate that into your budget if you plan to get one.
- Not everyone carries cash these days, so you’ll probably bring it way more funds with a card swiper!

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Marketing the Event

Download Article

1
Meet with your group to create posters a week before the event. Ask some of your volunteers to meet up to make some posters and signs for the event. Be sure to include the price and mention the cause you’re supporting. People may be more willing to get their car washed if they know that the money is going to a good cause.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Feel free to make the signs and posters colorful, but make sure larger signs are readable so people driving by can read them from a distance.
- Be sure to check with the property owner if you’ll be using stakes or trees to hold up the signs.
2
Use social media to advertise your charity car wash. Make an event page and share it with your friends and family (and ask them to share it with their friends as well). Mention the cause you’ll be raising money for on the page and, if possible, provide a link to the charity or organization.^{[15]XResearch source}
- Make sure to list the time and date correctly on the event page.
- Let people know the prices and any special services that will be available (like waxing or interior detailing).
3
Pre-sell tickets to friends and family. Pre-selling tickets online via an event page or fundraising platform is a great way to raise money from people who can’t show up for the car wash. Use platforms like PayPal or GoFundMe to talk about your cause and reach a wider audience.^{[16]XResearch source}
- It’s also a great way that faraway friends and family can support your cause.
4
Garner more attention by using quirky traits or gimmicks. Be sure to advertise what’s special about your car wash. For instance, if it’s eco-friendly, be sure to put that on signs. If you’ll be washing cars in less than 5 minutes, emphasize how fast it is. Do anything you can think of that might entice people to stop in and support the cause.^{[17]XResearch source}
- You can even consider certain gimmicks that might draw people in. Try to make it relate to your cause, if possible (e.g., all of your volunteers might wear animal onesies to raise money for wildlife protection).
5
Ask local businesses to put up fliers about the event, if possible. Go to restaurants, coffee shops, and other privately-owned businesses to see if they’ll put up some of your flyers in their window. Let them know about the cause you’re supporting to make it more likely that they’ll say yes.^{[18]XResearch source}
- Don’t put up posters in various places without asking first!

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Setting Up

Download Article

1
Ask your volunteers to arrive at least 20 or 30 minutes early. Requesting people come early will give you enough time to set up the area and remind people of their duties. It will also give you time to reallocate tasks in case some people have to cancel at the last minute.^{[19]XResearch source}
- The more people you have showing up early, the easier the setup will be!
- If the venue has a restroom, you might want to show the volunteers where it is so they don’t have to disrupt others in order to ask or spend time wandering around.
2
Choose a washing zone that’s near a gutter or drainage vent. The washing zone is going to be wet and have lots of dirty run-off, so choose a spot that’s closest to a gutter or other drainage system. It should also be an area where there’s enough room to fit both large and small cars.^{[20]XResearch source}
- If you’re not sure, ask the property owner for their suggestion.
3
Put the concessions table and rest area away from the washing area. If you plan to have a rest area for drivers to get out while their cars are being washed, set up some chairs in a shaded area (especially if it’s a hot day). Place your concessions table far enough away from the wash zone so water isn’t spritzing the snacks!^{[21]XResearch source}
- Also, make sure it’s not downhill from the wash zone—people won’t like stepping in inches of dirty water!
4
Fill buckets with water and, if applicable, set up the hose line. Ask your volunteers to help you fill up multiple buckets with water from a nearby spigot and carry them into the washing area. Or, if there’s a hose-line hookup or hose nearby, unwind it and extend it into the washing zone so it’s ready to go.^{[22]XResearch source}
- Place the buckets in an accessible area right next to where cars will be parking.
- If you’re using buckets, it’s important to show your volunteers where they can refill them.
5
Distribute necessary materials to the car washers. Equip each car washer with all of the materials they need and let them know where they can get more supplies if they need them. For instance, give each person at least 1 sponge and dry rag for washing and drying.^{[23]XResearch source}
- Keep extra supplies close enough to the washing zone so volunteers have quick and easy access.
6
Station your sign holders on the sidewalk according to ideal traffic flow. Watch how traffic is flowing so you can find the best spot to station your sign holders. For instance, stationing them on the same side of the road (facing oncoming traffic) is going to be more effective than on the opposite side because drivers can easily enter the wash area without having to make a U-turn.^{[24]XResearch source}
- If you’re stationed near an intersection, plant sign holders on each corner or on a large grassy median. Just be sure that the sidewalk or space is safe for your volunteer!

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question
How do you attract audience attention to an event?
Ernest Sturm
Marketing Expert
Ernest Sturm is a Marketing Expert and the Owner of Runway Influence and Runway Waiters, as well as the President of Runway Collective. With over 10 years of experience as an entrepreneur, he specializes in producing social media campaigns and social brand activations. Runway Influence has a 5-star rating and partners with luxury brands and top influencers.
Ernest Sturm
Marketing Expert
Expert Answer
I think one of the most effective ways today is literally reaching out to brands on social media. We work with a lot of influencers that work with some of the top brands in the nation, and a lot of them were able to get in touch with these brands by directly messaging them on social media. That's the most effective but it's also the most time consuming and labor intensive way to do it.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Question
Where do I get the water?
Community Answer
I think it would be best to find a parking lot or space to host your car wash that has a hose hookup.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 2 Helpful 23
Question
Would this work for kids aged 7 to 10 years old?
Community Answer
As long as they're supervised by an adult, it should work. The amount of success you have will be determined by your specific geographic location, price, cause that the car wash is supporting, and other factors.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 1 Helpful 9

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Make your posters bright and colorful so they’ll stand out.
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0
If customers trust you with their keys, don't get them mixed up! Consider using a pin board and tags to keep track of keys and license-plate numbers.
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0
Consider selling homemade snacks and beverages while your customers wait. Get some chairs and create a relaxed atmosphere. If there are no trees nearby, see if you can rent a large tent or sun shade.
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0

Show More Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

In the event your municipality does not allow charity car washes, contact your local car wash to see if they offer an eco-friendly (and usually more profitable with less effort) charity car wash program.
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0
Don't stand in the road to advertise! Stay on the sidewalk or behind the curb.
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0
Make sure that all windows, sunroofs, and other openings are closed before washing a car.
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0
Check with your city’s rules to make sure that charity car washes are legal. Some states, counties, and cities discourage charity car washes, because untreated run-off can enter storm drains, causing pollution issues and endangering aquatic wildlife.
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0