Free Car Vacuums: Best Locations List
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Keeping your clean can be a tricky affair, especially if you’re a bit disordered like me. Dirt track and snack crumbs quickly build up, leaving the inside of your car looking unkempt.
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Every car owner needs to at least familiarize themselves with the public places kind enough to offer a free car vacuuming session. Saving a penny here and there eventually adds up!
The 18 Best locations for free car vacuums are below.
Table of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- Free Car Vacuums: Best Location List
- 1. Arco
- 2. BP
- 3. Kwik Trip
- 4. Citgo
- 5. Phillips 66
- 6. Breeze Thru Car Wash
- 7. Flash Car Wash
- 8. Go Car Wash
- 9. Pete’s Express Car Wash
- 10. Raceway Car Wash
- 11. Tidal Wave Auto Spa
- 12. Tommy’s Express Car Wash
- 13. Quick Quack Car Wash
- 14. CarWashSeeker
- 15. Yelp
- 16. Find Free Car Vacuum Establishments On Google Maps
- 17. Reddit Threads & Facebook Groups
- 18. Small Independent Gas Stations & Car Washes
- Related Questions
Key Takeaways
- You can find a free car vacuum at many well-known gas stations, including Arco, Bp, Kwik Trip, Citgo, and Phillips 66. Note that many stations require purchasing gas or other products before allowing you to use their car vacuum.
- Some car wash companies provide free car vacuums. However, you’ll have to pay a once-off or yearly membership fee first in most cases. Simply ask local car washes for their requirements to use their free vacuum service.
- Other ways to find free car vacuums include hopping over to CarWashSeeker, Yelp, and Google Maps. Alternatively, join Reddit threads and Facebook groups or check independently owned local gas stations and car washes.
Free Car Vacuums: Best Location List
Your shiny status symbol can quickly become a real eye-sore without proper care.
We understand the relevance and importance of vacuum cleaning your car. Fortunately, several gas stations and car washes offer free car vacuums of course, with some with strings attached. So, we’re here to give the best location list of free car vacuums.
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1. Arco
Arco has over 1,500 locations across 17 states.
Many Arco gas stations charge between $0.75 and $2 for using their car vacuum. However, most new centers offer free vacuums in their car wash areas.
For example, the Arco gas station at Wigwam Parkway in Henderson offers a free car vacuum.
You can clean your car while fuelling up on gas and getting your favorite snack.
2. BP
The BP company has around 18,700 service stations worldwide, of which the largest division is BP America in the United States. In addition, the United States has more than 7,200 BP stations scattered across several states.
BP stations charge around $2 for five minutes of vacuum cleaning. However, BP also offers a free car vacuum with car wash services (which costs $8 to $10). Even better, loyal BP customers can score a free car wash with vacuuming after five visits.
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You can choose between two different car wash programs:
- Premium wash
- Basic wash
If you prefer washing your car yourself, you’ll find that many BP service stations offer jet wash machines.
You can search for the closest BP service station on the BPme app on iOS or Android devices.
3. Kwik Trip
Kwik trip is as widely known as Arco and BP, but they have over 700 locations across the states. Kwik trip also offers a free car vacuum service when you get your car washed.
While most gas stations charge around $3 for a car vacuum, you can get a car wash and free vacuum for $3 at the Kwik trip.
The $3 car wash consists of a body and undercarriage wash and dry However, you can add other services, including 14-blower dry or rust inhibitors. Note that it will cost you a couple extra dollars.
4. Citgo
Citgo has some 5,000 gas stations in the United States.
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Most of Citgo’s car stations have an available drive-through car wash service. They position a vacuum cleaner situated behind it.
Citgo’s vacuuming costs around $2 for five minutes. However, most of Citgo’s service stations will allow you to vacuum your car for free if you fill up on gas especially the stations with old-school units that don’t take payments.
5. Phillips 66
Phillips 66 has 7,550 Phillips 66 locations in 48 states, ranking as one of the most popular gas stations in the United States.
Most Phillips 66 stations only charge $0.75 to $1.50 for vacuuming. However, Phillips 66 stations are all independently owned. Therefore, a few hundred locations are more than happy for customers to use their car vacuum cleaners for free.
You can use the Phillips 66 location finder to find the nearest gas station. In addition, Phillips 66 gas station offers cash backs and rebates when you use their app and specific cards. For example, you can use the collected rebates to pay for vacuum cleaning.
6. Breeze Thru Car Wash
Breeze Thru Car Wash has 12 convenient locations in Northern Wyoming and Colorado.
All Breeze Thru Car Wash branches offer free-to-use vacuum cleaners. However, they usually limit the vacuum services to paying customers.
You can enroll for their unlimited car wash passes, starting from $12 per month for a basic wash up to $39 for their premium services. In addition, all Breeze Thru Car Wash services generally include a free vacuum session.
7. Flash Car Wash
Flash Car Wash has various locations, including Florida, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
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All of their all stations include free-to-use vacuum cleaners. However, the vacuums are typically only available to customers.
If you’re up for the risk, you can sneak a few minutes of free vacuuming most Flash Car Washes don’t call out non-paying customers that use their car vacuums. Alternatively, ask the staff for permission to use their car vacuum quickly to get rid of the crumbs and dirt in your car.
Note that a free car vacuum is included in a car wash service.
8. Go Car Wash
Go Car Wash has car wash stations in seven locations, including:
- California
- Kansas
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New York
- Texas
- Virginia
Consider becoming a member at Go Car Wash to receive GO unlimited benefits. You’ll always be driving a car that stays clean.
GO unlimited benefits include a member-only lane that will save you time on busy days and free vacuums at any of their locations.
9. Pete’s Express Car Wash
Pete’s Express Car Wash only has 5 locations in Pennsylvania. Still, they all have a central car vacuum system that you can use at no charge every time you get a car wash.
Their locations include:
- North Wales, PA
- East Norriton, PA
- Strafford, PA
- Warrington, PA
- West Chester, PA
Getting your car washes will only cost $5 for a quick and easy exterior car wash. In addition, you can use their vacuum cleaner afterward it’s a bargain!
10. Raceway Car Wash
Raceway Car Wash has over 35 locations across the state, including Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas.
All of their branches offer free-to-use vacuum cleaners. However, you technically need to become a member before accessing their free vacuum cleaners.
Race Car Wash is up and ready to help you keep your car in tip-top condition. They offer four memberships, including:
- Pit Stop: $12.95
- Full Throttle: $16.95
- Winner’s Circle: $24.95
- Grand Champion: $29.95
Given that most vacuum services cost around $2 per session, unlimited car washes and vacuum sessions for around $13 per month don’t sound bad at all!
11. Tidal Wave Auto Spa
Tidal Wave Auto Spa has 100 different locations widely scattered across 11 states.
Some branches offer free self-service vacuum cleaners to the public as long as their spots aren’t full. However, other branches may have stricter restrictions, only permitting paying customers to use their vacuum services.
You can join Tidal Wave Auto Spa’s unlimited services by joining their Unlimited Wash Club. Also, if you have multiple vehicles, join their family plan, so save a couple extra dollars.
12. Tommy’s Express Car Wash
Tommy’s Express Car Wash is another popular car wash in the United States. It has 206 locations spread across 30 states.
Tommy’s is also one of few major car wash franchises that allow customers to use their car vacuum cleaners free of charge. In addition, their car vacuums have a dual-hose design that makes it effortless to reach all the corners of your car.
You can simply drive to Tommy’s Express Car Wash and use their car vacuum. The vacuums are generally available as you exit the car wash.
13. Quick Quack Car Wash
Quick Quack Car Wash operates over 150 locations (with continued growth) in the following states:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Texas
- Utah
You can find self-serve car vacuums at Quick Quack Car wash locations. The vacuums are free or charged with any car wash purchase. Alternatively, pay $1 for use if you don’t want to use their car wash services.
14. CarWashSeeker
CarWashSeeker is an online directory or “one-stop source” for extensive car wash information. You can use the directory to locate car wash companies that offer free vacuums.
Find a nearby car wash by entering your zip code or using the map to find places that offer this service near you. If using their map service, find the closest location to wash or vacuum your vehicle. But, first, enable your location setting and zoom in to explore all of the car wash companies near you.
CarWashSeeker will provide the location, previous reviews, operating hours, etc.
Many free car vacuum sessions are limited to vacuuming the driver’s car floor. However, paying for a full car wash will include a free vacuum session for your car’s whole interior.
15. Yelp
Yelp is a crowd-sourced online directory with pages devoted to locations and reviews, including restaurants, shops, and schools. However, you can also use their site to search for free car vacuum gas stations or car washes nearby.
Simply enter your location details in the search bar to find the best results for your area (with reviews).
16. Find Free Car Vacuum Establishments On Google Maps
You can pull off your phone or iPad and search “gas stations with free car vacuums near me” on Google Maps. It will provide a complete list of fuel stations that provide free car vacuums and their location and contact details.
You can contact each station for further inquiries about their vacuuming services.
17. Reddit Threads & Facebook Groups
If you’re having trouble finding gas stations with free car vacuums, consider joining Facebook groups and Reddit threads to help you out.
Local motorists and community members discuss nearby establishments that offer free public vacuum cleaners.
Reddit can also be a valuable source to find free coupons and codes for a car wash or quick vacuum free of charge.
18. Small Independent Gas Stations & Car Washes
It also helps to familiarize yourself with smaller, independently owned gas stations and car washes.
Many independently owned services will allow non-paying customers to use their car vacuums for several minutes. Of course, you’ll most likely have to buy something first, like gas or snacks. But it doesn’t hurt asking.
Most local car wash companies have free vacuums. However, most car washes will likely only offer free vacuuming if you pay for a car wash or register as a member.
Suppose you have independent gas stations or car washes near you. In that case, it’s worth giving them a call or stopping by to check whether they offer free vacuum services.
Related Questions
Here are three frequently asked questions for more insight into free car vacuums.
How Do You Use A Car Vacuum At A Gas Station?
Gas stations have a separate area where car owners park and insert coins into the car vacuum machine to avail a few minutes of the service. You will need to insert extra coins to add minutes. They also have air pumps sometimes as well.
Can I Use A Car Vacuum Without Getting My Car Washed?
Most car wash companies will allow you to use the car vacuum without washing your car if you are a member.
Is It Worth Buying A Car Vacuum?
A car vacuum is more powerful than an ordinary vacuum cleaner. In addition, it is far more desirable, convenient, and cheaper than a trip down to the car cleaner in the neighborhood.