Does your car need a wash? We found the best, cheapest options around Fort Worth

As I prepared to go to my nine-to-five job one recent morning, I noticed a scrawled “wash me” on my truck’s dusty tailgate. I had one of my roommates to thank for the snark reminder.

Yes, my car needed a spa day.

I’m not talking about a froufrou detailing job. I’m talking about a basic cheap but quality place to take my ride. I quickly realized that going somewhere affordable to wash Tilly, my truck, meant express, self service action.

Defining car wash options in Fort Worth, Texas

We can narrow down types of car washes in three ways. There’s manual versus automatic, which means human versus machine. There’s in-bay versus tunnel, where your vehicle stays stationary or drives through a tunnel. And finally, touchless versus friction, where your car either receives a high pressure power wash with no brushes, or a cleaning done with cloth and brushes.

Most express car washes may not offer tire treatments or waxing. These are still vital maintenance procedures to keep your vehicle in nice shape. But this can be done by you if you want to save some moolah.

Jonathan Ganther, co-founder of Brakes to Go, recommends washing your car every two weeks to protect from dirt and long-term damage. He recommends wiping tires down before doing a full body rinse and waxing after to keep your car clean for longer. However, note that you do not need to be waxing your car every two weeks; this can be done every three to four months.

So if you’re like me, and do not have the energy to wash your car every other week, here are five places in Fort Worth to get the most out of your well-earned extra chunk of change.

Shine Express Car Wash for $7

• 3021 W Townsend Dr.

• Monday-Saturday: 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Type of car wash: automatic friction tunnel

• Cheapest wash: $7

• Most expensive wash: $22

Starting off strong with Shine Express Car Wash. My favorite part about this place is that after you drive through the automatic friction tunnel, an employee dries the exterior of your car for you before the self service vacuum. Maybe I’ve lived under a rock, but this was the first express car wash I’ve been to that wipes down my windows and mirrors.

With $7 you can get a standard exterior wash and jet air dry. However, for an extra $5, a total of $12, you can get basic tri-foam wax, hot bubble bath soap, tire shine, and wheels cleaned. If we were even making this a true $20 and under, you can do an $18 service where you can come back in five days for a free re-wash. Just had to mention that last deal.

Caliber Car Wash for $10

• 3236 Alta Mere Dr. (note that this is only one of four other locations)

• Monday to Saturday: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Type of car-wash: automatic friction tunnel

• Cheapest wash: $10

• Most expensive wash: $30

Caliber Car Wash has both single wash deals but also monthly deals, meaning you can buy a membership for limitless washes per month (which would definitely be cheaper if you actually wash your car every two weeks).

With a $10 classic wash, you get an exterior clean, air dry, as well as a wheel clean. All washes include: free vacuums, glass cleaner, multi-purpose cleaner, detailing air (blasting cleaning solution into hard-to-reach places in your car), mats cleaned and tire pressure checked.

Super Star Car Wash for $11

• 1115 Jacksboro Hwy. (note that this is only one of two locations)

• Daily, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Type of car-wash: automatic friction tunnel

• Cheapest wash: $11

• Most expensive wash: $22

Super Star Car Wash has membership deals where you can get unlimited washes. However, for an $11 wash you get bug removal, single-foam polish, double soap treatment, and wheels cleaned. For just $5 more, you can get all that with triple-foam polish, tires cleaned, a high pressure rinse, “rain-away” treatment and a complimentary air freshener.

Brightworks Car Wash for $10

• 7829 Summer Creek Dr

• Monday to Saturday, 7:30 a.m to 7 p.m., Sunday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Type of car-wash: automatic friction tunnel

• Cheapest wash: $10

• Most expensive wash: $35

Brightworks car wash offers three different types of express washes that cost between $10 and $20. The cheapest one still offers a prep of your grill and windshield before going into the tunnel, an under body rinse, and complimentary towel dry and vacuums. However, if your car needs a deep clean Brightworks also offers interior cleanings at $35 and detailings.

University Car wash and Oil for $11

• 3124 Collinsworth St.

• Daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Type of car wash: automatic friction tunnel

• Cheapest wash: $11

• Most expensive wash: $85

University Car Wash is a full service car wash which means you do not have to drive your car though a tunnel or vacuum it. The one downside to this type would be that an interior clean-up is not included in its cheapest option, $11. However, the next level up for $18, includes vacuuming and wiping down your dash and inside doors.

With $11 your car gets a trip through their automatic friction tunnel, which you can watch, and then it will be towel-dried. Not only is this speedy but also you just get to look pretty while it’s being done.

This story was originally published July 8, 2024 at 4:00 AM.

Ella Gonzales

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Ella Gonzales is a service journalism reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She is part of a team of local journalists who answer reader questions and write about life in North Texas. Ella mainly writes about local restaurants and where to find good deals around town.