Hoses for car cleaning don’t need to be a brain-tangling matter, but there are many differences between low-cost hose pipes and the more expensive options. The construction of the pipe itself is the main difference, with thicker piping offering a stronger form of resistance to tightening kinks and blocking knots, meaning a more consistent flow through the pipe without a drop in power.
Using a hosepipe to clean your car is a step up from the two-bucket method, but it’s not without its problems. When washing your car, it’s common for a hosepipe to get caught on one of the wheels and block the flow rate of the water – moreover, twisting from moving around the car and after being tidied away can occur, making the pipe useless. Similarly, pressure washers need a nice, steady flow of water to be as effective as possible. However, you don’t want a hosepipe that is too stiff because then you’ll have no flexibility leading to – yes, you guessed it – knots and kinks.
The simple way to ensure you have no trouble caring for your car and getting it clean without stress is to make sure you have the right tools. A good quality hosepipe is a great place to start.
The long-standing name in hose pipes has been Hozelock, they have set a good standard at a fair price. While they’re impossible not to include due to their standard, we will also look at some other options you may not have considered before as the best hoses for car cleaning as part of your car cleaning kit.
The best hoses for car cleaning at a glance
Editor’s choice: Hozelock Tuffhoze – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best expanding hose for car cleaning: Running Bulls Expanding Hose – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best hose reel for mobility: Gardena Hose Trolley – Buy now from Argos
The best hoses for car cleaning
Editor's choice
You’ll need to watch the fabric around your paintwork, as it can be a bit abrasive. This isn’t an issue, though, as because of its tough nature, it won’t be bothered about being snagged on a wheel as you make your way around to rinse off the car.
Pros
- Sturdy
- Difficult to snag
Cons
- The outer coating could cause scratches
Best wall-mounted hose reel
It’s perfect if you’re using a hose to wash your car. You know how when you’re walking around your car, washing off the suds, and the hose gets trapped under the wheel? Well, not any more with this clever idea.
It’s a retractable hose that will lock out when you need it to. You pull it to your desired length and the hose can be locked at regular length intervals. You’ll know it’s done this by an audible click as the hose is pulled out and the locking mechanism drops into the reel. To recoil the hose, you pull slightly to engage the mechanism, and it’ll reel it in.
You’ll never need to coil the hose back up in the correct manner as you try to relieve yourself of knots and tangles. The integrated centrifugal brake will manage the recoil on the hosepipe to iron out all the knots and twists.
The housing also swivels 180 degrees, so when it’s not in use, you can lay it against a wall to maximise space and make it look as inconspicuous as possible.
Pros
- The box can swivel up to 180° from the wall
- Retracts automatically
Cons
- Requires secure fitting
Best expanding hose for car cleaning
Pros
- Compact when not in use
- Lightweight
Cons
- Spray gun could be sturdier
Best flexible hose for car cleaning
The Primo flex material consists of three layers: a weather-resistant anti-UV outer layer, a pressure-resistant weaved reinforced layer, and an opaque middle layer to prevent algae formation in the hose. The small and compact hose still stretches out to an impressive 20 meters. The housing even has space for your hosepipe accessories, keeping everything in one place nice and neatly.
Pros
- Good quality construction
- Flexible use
Cons
- Difficult to reel in when not on the carrier
Best hosereel for mobility
The height-adjustable handle makes it a little bit easier to stow away with the hose trolly featuring an angled connection to stop the hose from kinking. The anti-drip device on the CleverRoll prevents water from dripping after use or when transporting the hose trolley. This means if you have to take your hose through the garage, there won’t be any puddles left underneath it once it’s stored. The set comes complete with a 20-meter Classic Hose from Gardena.
Pros
- Easy to move around
- Compact
Cons
- Some assembly required
FAQ’s
Does a longer hose reduce water pressure? Yes, but you won’t really notice the reduction in pressure in a hosepipe less than 30 meters in length. So, unless you need to attach to a water source at a great distance, you shouldn’t notice too much of a drop in pressure. If you’re using a pressure washer to clean your car, it wouldn’t matter too much anyway.
What’s the best material for hose pipes? Hoses are usually made up of rubber, vinyl, or a mix of the two. Rubber hoses are known for their durability and are meant to be better at resisting kinks and cracks, while vinyl hoses are more susceptible to these issues.
Combination rubber-vinyl hoses are the best of both worlds. They are light in weight thanks to the vinyl and reinforced by rubber, making them more durable than vinyl hoses and cheaper than all rubber hoses. These hosepipes tend to be a nice halfway house for most.
There are now bigger advancements in the material used to make hosepipes. Some now have a fabric on the outside which gives the hosepipe durability as well as flexibility. There are some hosepipes available with a harder outer casing to protect from crushing tyres or feet.
Needless to say, there are plenty of choices.
Myles Warwood is an Autos Products Writer for both Parkers and CAR, specialising in child seats and e-bikes. In his spare time, he’s a freelance cycling journalist and dog owner.
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