Saturday morning car washing isn’t really the chore we look forward to, especially when the frequent rain quickly washes away our efforts, but there is a solution to the Saturday blues. Take yourself to Elite Car Wash, and park yourself in the three thousand square foot air-conditioned waiting room, complete with free wifi, commercial foot massagers, stadium seating in front of a 62’ high definition television, vending machines, and even water cannons to shoot the cars as they go through the tunnel. Owner Philip Toppino says, “At the end of the day, we get dirt off cars and enjoy doing it. Our name and reputation are everything to us and we work hard every day to protect it.”

Elite Car Wash will celebrate their third year in Lake County on July 11th, and continue to see numbers growing. Considering the current economic state, it might be considered a luxury to spend money to get your car washed – not so when you take into account the water you are using, and the chemical taxation upon the environment when you wash at home. Elite Car Wash is a certified WaterSaver through the international Carwash Association, and reclaims 99.9% of their water – potentially saving the city of Clermont over nine million gallons of fresh water a month! It complies with the regulations of the Clean Water Act, which prohibit discharge of untreated wash water to local water bodies through storm drains. Detergents and other washing fluids are designed to strip away oils, which is detrimental to aquatic life, as is the biological and chemical oxygen demand when detergents dissolve in water. The oxygen content in the water depletes as the detergent breaks down, so as far as certified car wash establishments go, it is much safer on the environment to visit an establishment such as Elite Car Wash.

To improve the already incredible service at Elite, they recently re-routed the flow and added a selfserve vacuum station. Their goal is to offer everything you can get at other car washes in town, but better and cheaper. Washes begin at a mere $4 with the new self-service vacuuming, but the monthly service club offers up to thirty washes in thirty days for $20 and free self-service vacuuming. The New Flex Serve option allows customers to stay in their vehicle, and even express exit if they are in a hurry. Or sit back and let your vehicle enjoy a spa treatment with any necessary auto repairs at the attached Mobil One Quick Lube. Toppino says, “Stop in for a free estimate any time, no appointment necessary, all while still doing your quick maintenance items and getting you back on the road quickly and safely.”

Supporting the community is important to Elite and Toppino offers his establishment for worthy charity car washes. “This allows parents to know that [their] kids aren’t in danger, standing on the side of a busy road, holding up a charity car wash sign. [The kids] sell the Elite wash tickets and keep the money, we do all the work and your kids are safe.”

Elite Car Wash also serves the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lake and Sumter Counties, thanks to Mark and Cathy Graff for helping to build this community charity. “Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence.” Together with Elite Pizza Challenge in October, Toppino hopes to increase the over $1000 donations.

Go to www.elitecarwash.com and sign up to join Club Elite. This free membership will enable you to receive member only discounts and they will email you for special promotions.Elite Carwash is located at 1230 Oakley Seaver Drive and they can be reached at 352-241-9940.