Charity car wash

  • Outdoor: weather matters

Volunteers wash cars for a set price or donation at a busy site.

Typically raises

$400

$150–800 per eventest.

About $67 per organiser hour

Based on one car wash day at $5 a car

Is it right for us?

Money
Under $500
Work
A few evenings
Helpers
7–15 people
Lead time
2–3 weeks
Red tape
Light

Common: a familiar weekend sight for teams and youth groups

People
6-15
Organiser time
4-8 hours (estimate)
Lead time
2-4 weeks incl. council check (estimate)
Up-front cost
$50. Buckets, sponges, signs (estimate)
Risk
Very low.

Suits: High school, Scouts or Guides, Cadets (ATC, Sea Cadets), Sports club or team, Team going to a tournament or tour

Less usual for: One person (athlete, performer, student)

When: Summer (Dec–Feb), Spring (Sep–Nov), School holidays

How big a job: A few evenings, 7–15 people

How it works

The money, as an example sum

Sell at $5 a car, keep $5, so 90 cars = $450, or about $400 after about $50 of costs. That’s about the typical result.

Using the figures on this page. Your prices and costs will differ.

Where the money figure comes from

Estimate. Example NZ price: $5 a car (Mangawhai fundraising car wash for Movember).

Last checked October 2026. Ran this? Tell us what you raised and we’ll use real results to improve the figures.

Step by step

  1. Find a site with a wash bay draining to sewer, or ask your council what is allowed.
  2. Get landowner permission in writing.
  3. Plan traffic flow and a safe queue off the road.
  4. Set price and signage.
  5. Roster washers and a cashier.
  6. Run the day; keep children away from moving cars.
  7. Clean up the site.

Getting the word out

Even a well-run plan fails if nobody hears about it. There are two asks, and the first one goes out first.

Ask for help
Members to take a shift, and someone with the gear or the site.
Ask people to buy
People to come along, or book, and pay on the day.
When to start
Ask for helpers first, as soon as the date is set. Start the public ask about 3–4 weeks out, and book newsletter and paper notices before that: small newsletters close early.

Where to put it

The full guide to getting the word out: every channel from flyers to the evening news, with lead times and costs.

What you’ll need

Place
NeededA business’s site (shop front, store BBQ)
Landowner’s permission
NeededYes, in writing
Council permit
CheckCheck with your council
Food rules
Not neededNo food sold
Alcohol
Not neededNo alcohol sold
Gambling rules
Not neededNot gambling
Health and safety
CheckA simple risk check and briefing
Insurance
CheckCheck your cover

Wash water must not reach stormwater drains; councils such as Auckland and Hutt City can fine for it. Use a service station or wash bay that drains to sewer, and ask the council's trade-waste team if unsure.

Make more from it

Stack it: on its own, about $400. With the 3 priced add-ons above, roughly

$900est.

What you can get donated

A site with a sewer-connected wash bay (service station or commercial car wash); cleaning gear.

Tips

  • Ask a service station or commercial car wash to host; their wash bays are designed for runoff (estimate based on council guidance).

Watch out for

  • Soapy water in street drains.
  • Car damage complaints; use soft sponges only.

Charity car wash: checklist

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Before

  • The rules

On the day

After

Wash water must not reach stormwater drains; councils such as Auckland and Hutt City can fine for it. Use a service station or wash bay that drains to sewer, and ask the council's trade-waste team if unsure.

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Goes well with

Sources

  1. aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
  2. hccpublicdocs.azurewebsites.net
  3. rnz.co.nz
  4. facebook.com

Researched October 2026. All fundraising ideas

* General fundraising information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Money figures are examples and estimates, not promises. Check current official requirements before you commit. About this guide