Are car washes open during hosepipe bans? Rules explained

Are car washes open in the hosepipe ban?  (Credit: Pxhere)

Where are hosepipe bans in the UK in 2026?

South East Water has announced a temporary hosepipe ban affecting around 850,000 customers across Kent, citing high temperatures and unprecedented demand for water.

In a statement, the company said it had worked to maintain water supplies, but ongoing pressure on its network has made it necessary to reduce non-essential water use.

Customers are being asked to comply with the restrictions to help safeguard local water resources and maintain supplies across the county.

The restrictions will come into force at 00:01 BST on 3 July. Under the ban, customers will not be permitted to use hosepipes for activities such as watering gardens, washing cars, cleaning patios and boats, or filling swimming and paddling pools.

Earlier this week, South East Water had already urged customers to limit water use to essential purposes only.

Latest from UK water companies (27/06/26)

Water company	Area served	Current position	Notes

Can I use a hosepipe to wash my car if there is a ban?

No. You are not permitted to use a hosepipe to wash your car – unless it is connected to a water butt that would be expected to collect contents through rainwater – and not the mains.

Can I use a jet washer to clean my car in a hosepipe ban?

No – if the jet washer is connected to a mains-fed hosepipe, you cannot use it to wash your car or other purposes.

Although, if connected to a water butt with rain water or from washing etc, then you should be okay to use it.

Are there exemptions that allow me to wash my car using a hosepipe during a ban?

Yes. If you own a commercial vehicle – such as a taxi or hearse used for funerals – you will be able to use a hosepipe to wash your car.

You can also use a hosepipe at home to clean your car if it is fed by a private borehole or artificial lake or pond that you happen to own.

Can I wash my car using a bucket?

It is allowed to use a sponge and bucket to wash your car. You can also use ‘grey water’ such as bathwater to fill up a butt and connect a hose to it if you have the facilities to do so.

Are car washes open during hosepipe bans?

Businesses and commercial premises are exempt from the restrictions, so heading to a hand car wash, automated car wash or commercial self-service jet wash is still permitted.

Expect car washes to be very busy during the duration of the ban due to the inability of most people to be able to wash their vehicles at home.

Will car wash prices increase due to the hosepipe ban?

A Thames Water ban, for example, could affect as many as 15 million people - putting strain on car washes currently operating in London. This could also see prices rocket as demand soars. Something that will be the same in other areas with such bans on domestic hoses. 

How much water will it save by banning hosepipes for washing cars?

Using a hosepipe to wash a car can require as much as 500-litres of water, whereas using a bucket will use 30-40 litres of the wet stuff.

Will an official drought declaration mean car washes close?

No, not immediately. An official 'drought' declaration will mean more hosepipe bans across the country, but commercial car washes will be able to continue operating - but home use of hoses to wash your vehicle will be banned unless you fall into the exemptions. 

When could commercial car washes be forced to close?

If conditions worsen, an 'extreme drought' could be declared. This would result in local restrictions that could easily see car washes shut down, or limited in number as they would be considered non-essential water use.