ZIPS BLOG

Smart Vehicle Cleaning & Prepping For Back-To-School 

Tick, tick, tick… Yep. It’s back-to-school time. Kids are panicking nationwide! Not really, but it is time for parents to begin prepping their vehicles for all the back-to-school activities. 

• School supply shopping trips 

• New clothes shopping 

• Extracurricular activities 

And finally, the trip to the first day of school. 

All those car rides just scratch the surface as parents will be on the road quite a bit more with the new school year.  

Epic Tips For Independence Day & Summer Road Trips 2024

Buckle up and adjust your rearview mirror because we’ve got great tips for enjoying summer fun on the road this Independence Day! 

And don’t even think about summer ending. Just stay in the moment so you can fully enjoy the fun times with your family and friends. 

We’re gonna lay out the five best states to take a road trip - backed with facts, folks. There are also things to watch out for depending on which states you travel to. But let’s begin with Independence Day specifically. 

ZIPS Car Wash Celebrates 20 Years!

20 years sure does ZIP by when you’re having some good, clean fun. We want to say thank you to our amazing customers for 20 years of shine.

ZIPS Car Wash has come a long way. 20 years and millions of clean cars later, here we are celebrating our 20th anniversary with you. 

But where did we get started?

POLLEN IS COMING FOR YOUR RIDE’S PAINT

Don’t run for the hills. Just run toward the nearest unlimited car wash if you want to protect your vehicle from this year’s pollen attack! 

Is pollen that bad for vehicle paint? No doubt it is. But it’s worse than you imagine, as we’re about to see.  

Don’t worry, though. Because we’ve got three smart tips to protect your car, truck, and even family members from pollen’s effects. 

SPRING GIFTS FOR MOM THIS MOTHER’S DAY (+car industry’s incredible women)

Buckle up for 7 epic spring gifts for mom this Mother’s Day. We’ll toss in two last-minute⭐ Mother’s Day ideas for you, too.  

And stick around for a list of “Momumental” achievements women have made throughout the history of the automobile industry (one will blow your mind right off your shoulders!). 

7 SUMMER ROAD TRIP AND STAYCATION TIPS

(PLUS HOW TO FIND AFFORDABLE BEACH GETAWAYS)

It’s travel season and people are catching up with fun summer road trips and creative staycations. Is this possible without wrecking your budget though? Yep! Once you read the following 7 road trip / staycation tips you’ll be well on your way to some much deserved R&R.

HOW MUCH WATER CAN YOU SAVE AT AN AUTOMATIC CAR WASH?

Heads up if you didn’t know that automatic car washes save tons of water. True story. This fact is even more reason not to bother with washing your car in your driveway (7 bonus reasons to avoid that hassle below).

So, get this. Commercial car washes typically use about 50% less water than driveway car washing. Some mathematicians would say that’s half the water saved. Others argue it’s 2x the water saved by using an automatic car wash. After crunching those numbers… both are correct.????

That’s not all though.

7 FALL CLEANING TIPS AND TRICKS FOR YOUR VEHICLE THAT ARE QUICK, EASY, & NOT DIRTY

Quick, where’s the closest car wash? 

Whoa… what’s the rush? 

Fall is about to land on us like a pile of leaves on a lush Bermuda lawn.

We’ll take it though, since this time of year is the perfect chance to make the interior your focus when cleaning your car.

TAP INTO THE NEW ZIPS CAR WASH MENU

Hard to imagine… but an even better shine is coming to your local ZIPS Car Wash. Your ride will be clean as ever, and now with innovative grime fighting and protective car wash chemistry, your vehicle will have a longer-lasting shine. Plus, enhanced protection from dirt, grime, and the harshest elements.

Let’s see what these fresh car cleaning services are all about as we showcase Z Hot Wax, Z5X Ceramics, and Ultra HD Glaze. 

Summer ZIPS By, so Prep Your Ride for Back-to-School

(11 quick tips for you)

No boos kiddos. Summer can’t last forever, we checked. Mathematically impossible!

So, the good news is you get to see your friends again while mom and dad can get some peace and quiet - we mean… miss you terribly ????.
The bad news? Summer is rough on vehicles. Trips, carpools to the pool, hot weather, unforgiving UV rays and sunshine, sun-dried bugs, on and on.

Don’t fret, parents. These 11 tips will have you on the road to a fresh-n-clean ride just in time for the first day of school. Playing hooky is not an option!

GET AHEAD ON YOUR GIFT LIST IN NOVEMBER

(+THE CRAZIEST GIFT CARD FACT EVER)

November is the ideal month to get started on your holiday gift list. 

This post will help you do it. No, really, you can do it!

Just focus and let us guide you. Stick around to the end to see that unbelievable fact concerning gift cards (crazier than the one below).

*In 2022, One trillion dollars was expected to be loaded onto gift cards (WSJ)

BEING MORE CAR CARE-FUL IN WINTER (3 KEYS)

Wintertime can be an ice-cold slush-fest unless you prepare yourself and your ride. 

Luckily, there are 3 key areas to focus on that will help prepare you for cold-weather driving.  

1. Visibility 
2. Traction 
3. Battery life 

Have a Blast this Independence Day

(Top 5 July 4th Faves)

Two things we all know about Independence Day— it’s a day full of fun and it’s plain hot!

As long as you prepare for the heat and good times, you and your crew will have a summer blast. So, before we list 5 of America’s favorite activities on Independence Day, here are 4 ways to ensure fun doesn’t get squelched.

NATIONAL CAR WASH DAY 2024

(Time for Money-Saving Car Tips)

National Car Wash Day – March 28th this year – is kind of a big deal for us clean car enthusiasts.  Sure, it’s not quite as sweet as National Donut Day, but a reminder nonetheless to visit a car wash near you this month.  And with pollen in the air, we’ll bet anything that you’re due for a shine-up right about now. 

So, get ready for National Car Wash Day facts, myths, legends, and statistics below.  

Bonus: You’ll find 8 easy ways to save money on car-related expenses at the end of this article. 

WHY GRAPHENE (THE strongest material known to man) IS PERFECT FOR YOUR VEHICLE’S EXTERIOR

Why are car people so excited about graphene? Because this revolutionary material has just become available in car washing chemistry form and is yet another way of protecting their babies – you know, those beloved cars and trucks.

But wait. What is graphene, you say?

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS, HABITS, AND CAR WASH SOLUTIONS

Happy New Year to you and yours from ZIPS Car Wash! 

Time to give you the quickest highlight reel about resolutions and habits ever. We’ll even save you from reading lengthy books on habit-building. Because oddly, self-help can turn into a bad habit, right? 

GIFT IDEAS FOR MOM→ DON’T FORGET MOTHER’S DAY 2023 IS MAY 14TH

Happy early Mother’s Day to all the moms out there and a reminder to everyone that the second Sunday in May is always Mother’s Day! If you forget, you’ll notice when you spot people scrambling to grab flowers or frantically Googling “car wash gift cards near me” for moms who love a clean ride.

By the way, did you know this holiday was once called Mothering Sunday in Great Britain? Mother’s Day was catchier, so it caught on in modern times. Kind of like SUVs becoming more popular than horses and buggies!

Now let’s look at gift ideas for moms in 2023.

READY YOUR VEHICLE AND YOURSELF FOR POLLEN SEASON

(+ 2 POLLEN FACTS YOU DIDN’T KNOW)

Pollen season comes back around faster than Christmas, right? It seems like we just finished battling the yellow dust on our vehicles and now we’re back at it.

Do-It-Yourself Detailing Tips

Is there a time you need to do a more detailed car clean-up? Yep, usually after carpooling with toddlers, road trips, or lots of wet weather. Don’t worry, all you need is some extreme detailing tips for extremely dirty vehicles.  

Modern Dating, Cars, and Valentine’s Day

The connection between cars and romance has a long history. From drive-in theater dates to timeless romantic drives through the mountains, Cupid puts the pedal to the metal in the driver’s seat! So, we thought you’d love a few fun tidbits about how Valentine’s Day, romance, and automobiles merge here in America. 

New Year’s Resolution

New Year’s Eve can be the height of our celebration for a brand-new start. Friends, family, and celebrations rock. But it’s those pesky New Year’s resolutions that kinda take the wind out of our sails. Resolutions are hard to keep for even the most motivated person. That’s why we’ve put together some powerful tips for keeping those new habits going long after the first month of the new year.  

Why You Need to Check Your Tires Regularly

Checking your tires is as important as oil changes, brake inspections, and regular trips to the car wash. And guess what, checking your tires is easy. The key thing with tires? The variables:

• Vehicle type and size
• Road conditions
• Varying air pressure specifications
• Air pressure monitoring systems
• Tire grades and sizes

Don’t worry, there will be no Michelin Man Quiz at the end of this short read. You will know how to save a little gas, extend tire life, and learn the most critical part of tire care, though. This will save you money as well as keep your family safer on the roads. Let’s get rolling!

Veterans Day Trivia Facts to Think About

ZIPS Car Wash has been honoring veterans and active military with free car washes on Veterans Day for over 10 years! A clean ride and shiny tires are nice, but we realize no act can repay what these brave Americans have sacrificed for our country.

Preparing Yourself and Your Vehicle for Winter Travel

Old man winter is pretty hard on vehicles. The roads get slippery, cold temperatures create dangerous situations, and road salt can cause corrosion on the undercarriage of cars and trucks. Alloy wheels are subject to damage also.

So, let’s get prepared for that chilly and grumpy old season with helpful winter driving tips such as a pre-season vehicle check, must-have safety kits, and regular car washes.

Emergency Car Kits

Emergency car kits are as crucial to worry-free travel as oil changes and keeping your car clean at your local touchless car wash. But we only think about being stranded seconds after we slide off the road. So, don't wait until you’re stuck in a ditch. We’re going to help you pack an emergency car kit made to protect you, provide basic needs, and get you back on the road.

Fall Cleaning is Just as Vital as Spring Cleaning

A great injustice has occurred with fall cleaning. It has never gotten the same respect as spring cleaning. Fall clean doesn’t have the same ring as spring clean - see what I mean?! But make no mistake - cars, homes, and yards need a fall cleaning, too. 

Back to School safety for commuting and cross walks 

Driving is statistically one of the most dangerous things humans do. That’s why being extra careful while commuting near kids and in school zones is super important.  Being alert, using common sense, and taking your time means that accidents will be less likely near a school. While it’s true that pedestrians have the right of way, that law can’t stop a 2,000-pound automobile with a distracted driver in the moment. But if everyone makes safety a priority, then we can protect our children.  

Summer Vacation Travel Tips

What’s the best summer vacation travel tip you have ever heard? Many would say that taking a physical map or downloading maps is #1. Because cell signals aren’t guaranteed, right? Others might think the best tip is to bring the pups along for the memories. Some say make dad drive the entire way! 

Protect Your Vehicle’s Paint from Summer Bugs

Summer bugs are a mess when they collide with your vehicle and they can wreck your shiny exterior. If you can’t get to a car wash before these dearly departed bugs dry onto the clearcoat, stains are likely. We’ll talk about an express car wash add-on that’s here to save the day in a moment. 

Father's Day Gift Ideas

Father’s Day is the #1 day to show some love to the good ole Dad, Pops, or Mr. Grillmaster. Whichever alias your dad prefers or was mandated by his BBQ Association. This man helped keep you in proper shoes, taught you how to drive, and was always ready with a dad joke.

Car Safety for Pets and Kids in the Summer

Summer brings warm weather for fun in the sun, but the heat can be a threat when it comes to our vehicles. The sun is responsible for fading many candy-apple-red rides into kinda-awful-red rides. There are ways to prevent UV damage, but we also need to protect what’s inside our cars and trucks.

Memorial Day Travel Tips

In 2021, over 37 million Americans were expected to travel during Memorial Day Weekend by planes, trains, but mostly automobiles. Are you making big plans to hit the road for a long weekend? No matter how you celebrate the unofficial start to summer this Memorial Day weekend, you can stay safe with these travel tips.  

Memorial Day Origins and Travel Tips

With many Americans getting time off at the end of the month, Memorial Day is usually a day to gather with family and friends, hit the pool or lake or take a long weekend trip. But the original Memorial Day was focused on honoring those who were lost during the Civil War. A tradition of reflection and appreciation that endures to this day. 

And while we’re always first to cannonball into kicking off summer, we’re also always mindful of the true meaning and reason for Memorial Day. So, buckle up for a quick look back at the origins of Memorial Day.  

Time-saving Mother's Day Gifts

Mother’s Day is one of those holidays that you’ll find yourself looking for a gift. Flowers and phone call seem to top the list with roughly one-quarter of all flowers purchased throughout the year fall on Mother’s Day. Plus, Americans actually use the phone for non-texting communication with over 122 million phone calls to mom on this special holiday. 

Earth Day and Eco-friendly Car Washing

Zips Car Wash will be thrilled to celebrate Mars Day if we humans ever reside there, but for now, Earth Day gets all the love. 1970 was the first year for Earth Day and it has grown like a redwood ever since. This environmental movement has mobilized over 1 billion people to help protect our home planet! 

Protection and Shine with Z5x Ceramics

If you’re looking for longer-lasting shine or better paint protection with your regular visits to a local car wash, there’s hope. After all, cars and trucks are meant to shine, right? But splattered bugs, dirt, mud, and the sun can really take a toll on a vehicle’s paint. 

Pollen Season Protection for Your Vehicle

Pollen gets a bad rap because it irritates our sinuses, causes allergic reactions, and makes a mess on cars, trucks, and driveways. But without pollen, nothing on Earth would grow and humans would have to head to Mars, where accommodations are a bit lacking. Luckily there are ways to deal with pollen season. So, let’s sniff out the details. 

Don’t Forget Your Vehicle Needs Spring Cleaning Too

Here’s the blooming truth. Spring cleaning makes people feel happier, but your vehicle needs freshening up just as much as your home does. So, if you need some car care tips and cleaning motivation, we’re glad to help you out.