21. Car Washes | The Economics of Everyday Things

Why are these sudsy roadside stops one of the fastest growing industries in America? Zachary Crockett takes a look under the hood.
FOLLOW THE ECONOMICS OF EVERYDAY THINGS:
KZbin: freak.ws/3yIl6dl
Apple Podcasts: freak.ws/3ZQCvg9
Spotify: freak.ws/3ZU5Cit
ABOUT THE ECONOMICS OF EVERYDAY THINGS:
Zachary Crockett uncovers the hidden side of the things that surround us. Who decides what snacks are in your office’s vending machine? How much is a 100-year-old elm tree on a suburban block worth - and to whom? And what makes Girl Scout Cookies a billion-dollar business?
ABOUT FREAKONOMICS RADIO NETWORK:
Freakonomics began as a book, which led to a blog, a documentary film, more books, a pair of pants, and in 2010, a podcast called Freakonomics Radio. Hosted by Stephen J. Dubner, it’s one of the most popular podcasts in the world, with a reputation for storytelling that is both rigorous and entertaining. Its archive of more than 500 episodes is available, for free, on any podcast app, and the show airs weekly on NPR stations. Freakonomics Radio is now the flagship show of the Freakonomics Radio Network, which includes the podcasts No Stupid Questions, People I (Mostly) Admire, and The Economics of Everyday Things.
FREAKONOMICS RADIO NETWORK PODCASTS:
Freakonomics Radio: freakonomics.c...
No Stupid Questions: freakonomics.c...
People I (Mostly) Admire: freakonomics.c...
Economics of Everyday Things.: freakonomics.c...
Special series: freakonomics.c...
CONNECT WITH US:
[e-mail]
/ freakonomics
/ freakonomics
/ freakonomics
/ freakonomicsradio
/ freakonomics-media
Subscribe to our newsletter: eepurl.com/bKm0cf

[@woodrowbunopaddle]

I wish he would have covered the numbers behind the cheap wash to the best wash. It's basically lights,few extra suds and a nickels worth of tire dressing

[@Shabobidhuffy]

The Tesla cyber truck must be a car wash owners, wet dream 😂.

[@johnc4236]

I must have missed the economics part

[@patricksullivan4329]

Cleanliness; next to goldliness?

[@thatdetailguywaltsanders2451]

A hundred gallons of water?? I'm a detailer and use about 10-12 gallons max per car no way anyone uses 100 Gallons per wash at home

[@BCNeil]

The automatic car wash near me is $37

[@jeffrojefferson88]

A guy at work said a new car wash opened by him and it was $25 for a wash. Insanity.

[@nobodynowhere7163]

Automated car wash is THE business.

[@KenGraham-m2p]

I'm glad this guy with a chain of car washes is doing well, but, I've never paid anyone to wash my car/cars. I take exception to the comment about the average homeowner using 100 gallons of water to wash a car. That is ridiculous and sounds like industry propaganda. Anyone using that much water is a fool who is letting the hose run on full blast while he twiddles around vacuuming the inside of the car. I use maybe 20 gallons to wash my Cadillac at home. I rarely use anything but water to wash it and a very light scrub with a soft mitt, if required. The whole process only takes a few minutes and is a chore I enjoy. And, I save energy by not having to drive a dozen miles round trip to a car wash. And, much of the run off water goes over to my landscaping and isn't wasted at all. I am 70 years old and plan to keep washing my own vehicle for as long as I am mobile....after which I probably won't even need a car much less an expensive wash job.

[@schenksteven1]

I balked at that 100 gallon figure as well. A bucket with soap, a rag, and a hose with a spray nozzle. I’d be surprised if I use 10 gallons.

[@MichaelChengSanJose]

That guy who washes his car every day needs to be told that he won’t get to own a second car if he keeps wasting his time like that.

[@KS-mt1lb]

So this is a car wash ad?

[@SuburbanDon]

My wife.and i.dont use car washes anymore. Too expensive.

[@timjudshore6907]

Car wash are ok , but if you have a high line car no way ,

[@voterdown]

🖐🖐 car washes haven’t changed since the 1980s for the most part. Cloth brushes used back then, little to no computers, and never once did I hear of car ‘pileups’ or windows down. Business is a basic service, not sophisticated as presented here.

[@wm6549]

Recycled dirty water? I'll pass.

[@tradedate]

All water is recycled. Do you think we're making new water on the planet?

[@schenksteven1]

You do understand that all water has been recycled millions of times, right?