Many people eat in their cars, do their makeup, clip nails, finish up homework assignments and more. You may even have kids who change from school to sports uniforms in the car.
Therefore, it is easy for your car to get dirty.
Keeping your car clean inside and out can get costly if you use a specialty carwash.
Here’s a look at ways to save money with car washes and gas stations that offer free vacuums.
Top Car Wash And Gas Stations That Offer Free Vacuums
Yes, they exist!
Car wash companies WANT to get you in the door. They need the business, so many will offer a free car wash service.
Even if you end up paying a membership fee for one car wash a month, the free vacuums weekly would still be totally worth it!
These locations may be busy because of that free vacuum perk, but it is worth it. The vacuums at these places are 10x better than anything you can use at home.
Maintaining your car to last can be expensive – that is why it is such a great idea to hunt down free vacuum locations near you.
We did the work for you when it comes to finding gas stations and car washes with free vacuum services.
Gas Stations with Vacuum Services
Although there are many gas stations that do offer vacuums, they are not often free. They may be as low as $1, but if you have to vacuum your car often, it adds up quickly!
Here are some of the gas stations around the country that offer vacuum services:
Arco, BP, Chevron, Citgo, Exon, Kwik Trip, 7-Eleven, Marathon, Mobile, Philipps 66, and Shell
These locations may offer specials on a free vacuum from time to time, however most charge you per minute for using the vacuums.
Don’t worry, though. Nowadays, it isn’t too difficult to find a location that offers free vacuum services. They are all over the country because everyone has discovered the convenience as well as how much better they are than gas station vacuums.
Where Can I Find Free Car Vacuum Services Near Me?
One of the neatest ideas these days is the concept of stand alone car wash locations. Their car washes clean so much more thoroughly than any gas station car wash. And usually they come with a perk: Free Vacuuming!
You can drive up to one of these locations and park in a designated spot (they have a couple of rows so you definitely will not wait for long). Then you just hop out and you’ll have a vacuum on either side of your car.
These tend to be much stronger than any vacuum you have at home, making it a quick, painless chore. They have mat clips so you can clip your car mats and make the vacuum process even faster.
Some locations even have various kinds of vacuums.You can choose from a straight or angled ended vacuum. If you have kids, this is a great place to clean those car seats up! Everyone knows kid’s seats are often full of snacks and crumbs.
And as a bonus, some of these stand alone car washes offer damp towels for wiping down the inside and outside of your vehicle.
These types of locations exist all over nowadays, so let’s find some of the largest!
1. Tommy’s Express Car Wash
Tommy’s Express Car Wash is one of the largest across the country. They are present in 30 states and often run some great deals as well! You can find them in:
Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
2. Tidal Wave Auto Spa
Tidal Wave Auto Spa is the next largest location with locations in 14 states. Check and see if there’s one near you!
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virginia
3. Raceway Car Wash
Raceway Car Wash has over 30 locations throughout Arizona, California, Nevada and Texas. They do have free vacuums when you are a paying customer for a car wash. You would self-serve vacuum first and then pay and go through the drive thru car wash.
The membership fees are so low, it would actually be worth it in comparison to paying a few dollars for a couple minutes of vacuuming at a gas station.
4. Go Car Wash
Go Car Wash is another large location that services seven states:
California, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Texas, and Virginia.
They offer free self service vacuuming as well as various prices for car washes.
5. Flash Car Wash
Flash Car Wash offers free vacuums when you wash your car at one of their locations. They currently have various locations across
Florida, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island
6. Breeze Thru Car Wash
Breeze Thru Car Wash has various locations throughout Wyoming and Colorado. They offer free vacuum, but after the car is washed (and you’ve paid for the car wash service). So you likely wouldn’t be able to vacuum only at this location.
However, if you’re looking to buy a car wash membership and vacuum this might be a great place for you!
7. Super Star Car Wash
Super Star Car Wash is located in Arizona, California, Texas, and soon in Colorado! They have so many locations popping up and all have that free vacuum service available so be sure to check them out!
8. El Car Wash
El Car Wash is currently only located in Florida, with new locations popping up almost monthly It is a free self service vacuum location, followed by a paid drive thru car wash. You can certainly go vacuum your car at any time as they have rows of 10+ vacuums available.
These are some of the most popular and largest across the country. However, there are certainly many more. You may have even better luck searching for one of these types of locations within your hometown as there may be some that are only local to you.
9. Quick Quack Car Wash
Quick Quack is a franchise car wash found mainly in California, Texas, Arizona, Colorado and Utah.
They offer affordable membership rates as well as one time use. The vacuums are super strong and make cleaning your car a breeze.
What we like about Quick Quack is their fundraising option. If you have a special interest that may require some fundraising, why not partner with the duck. Their mascot is a duck.
Most locations have free vacuums. Plus they give you a dash wipe. This helps give luster to the inside of your car.
10. Blue Wave Express
This franchise is located in Texas and California. If you live in Texas, you will love Blue Wave. Texas is known for big trucks, country roads and dirt. What’s better than a great car wash with free vacuums?
And for California cars, make sure to keep your ride clean before you stroll down to the beach.
If you get the membership package, a team member will install the RFID tag in your window. From this point on, every time you visit, there is no need to use the machine or card. Simply pull up, the tag will be scanned, much like a toll road, then drive forward as prompted.
One clean, pull into the vacuum lanes and have at it. The vacuums are very strong and do their job.
Where Else Can I Look For Free Car Vacuums?
There are a few places you could search for your own car wash locations that offer free vacuums. If your state is not listed above, try one of these options:
Google Maps
Open Google Maps on your phone and type “free car vacuum” and see what pops up. It might be an independently owned car wash location or maybe even a gas station near you that offers the service. You can filter the location as well and the radius you are willing to drive.
Social Media Searches
Do a quick Facebook or TikTok search for “free car vacuum near me.” You may be surprised to find all the info you need is in a video online. Social media is becoming a search engine for these types of things and does a really good job.
Social Media usually offers more information than Google Maps as well. You will likely be able to find locations, prices, best times to go and what they offer via social media searches, so don’t underestimate them!
Yelp
Yelp allows you to narrow down your options to your precise location. Search for “free car vacuum” and filter it to show the radius you’re willing to drive and you should have a few options pop up! Always be sure to check the reviews as well before heading out to a certain location.
Check Smaller Gas Stations
There may be gas stations that are only local to your home town or state (and you may not even know it!). Usually these mom and pop type of storefronts have some extra perks to entice you to stay with them over a big box competitor.
You may discover the location you frequent (or one that is near you) offers free vacuums for customers who are fueling up. It’s worth looking into.
Join Online Groups for your City
You may find a neighborhood app or a Facebook group for your home town. People in those groups are usually sharing deals and news for your area. You may be able to find an old thread or start one for free vacuum locations in your area.
There is nothing like a community coming together to share good things, deals and ideas about their hometown!
Summary
If you’re searching for a free vacuum location, keep in mind most are offered with the purchase of a car wash service. However, if you call different locations, drive by and ask around, you may find some that allow you to simply vacuum.
Search through our list, search your home town and find one that works for you. Owning a car is expensive and you shouldn’t have to pay tons of money to maintain your car.
We are confident this list will help you find something that works with your budget, time and location.