The 4 Best Places to Get a Car Wash in Winnipeg
Whether it’s weathered a lot in the past few days or it simply needs some TLC, your vehicle needs a regular scrub-down to avoid the build-up of dirt that may cause it to deteriorate at a faster pace.
It is pretty easy to spot a car wash in the Winnipeg area, but we know that not all of them are created equal. With this, we rolled up our sleeves and searched long and hard for the best car wash spots in the city that are worth trying.
How much does a car wash in Winnipeg typically cost?
A lot of factors play into the cost of a car wash, including the service type (automatic, self-service, or handwash) and add-ons.
However, based on a quick look at what’s available in the area, one can expect to spend anywhere from $15 to $25 for a typical wash.
That being said, opting to do a self-service car wash entails being charged based on the time you spend in the facility.
Alternatively, choosing to go with the classic handwash can be costlier (we’re looking at the $100 range or higher) because of the extra attention to detail.
One way to maximize your car wash budget is to sign up for monthly subscriptions. Some shops offer these memberships for around $30-60 a month, with great perks such as unlimited washes, discounts, and an extensive array of interior and exterior services.
For self-service, you may choose to purchase prepaid tokens that offer bonus monetary value, which allows you to enjoy extra time for the wash. There are also some shops that sell discount coupons that you can use within a period of time to avail of a lower price for their services.
Reviewing the Best Car Wash Services in Winnipeg
In picking out the top car wash shops in Winnipeg, we put them all through the following criteria:
1. Buggy Bath
| Car Wash Quality | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Overall Service Quality | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Price | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
One thing that stood out to us when we checked out Buggy Bath is the range of extra conveniences it offers.
First, it offers an extensive range of high-quality materials you can use to wash your auto, from earth-friendly soaps to bug removers.
We think that car owners who still prefer to do the washing themselves will appreciate being able to do so without worrying about organizing and cleaning up after.
At the same time, they don’t need to maintain their personal range of cleaning materials as Buggy Bath really does have everything!
Second, it is one of the very few car washes that offer a tap-to-pay credit card option. We love that you don’t need to rustle up whatever change you have with you to continue your cleaning.
The downside here is that the service ends up being slightly pricier than it should be, as Buggy Bath will then charge by clock-in and clock-out times. Customers who like to take their time cleaning nooks and crannies need to be prepared to shell out more.
But a discount coupon may save the day. We hear that Buggy Bath regularly releases these coupons for certain periods of time, so it would be wise to avail of these to lower the cost and lessen the sting.
Lastly, we love that there is an area where you can dry off your car after the wash. We think that this is a thoughtful gesture for car owners who have the time to wait a bit longer before driving home to preserve the freshness of the wash.
Customers are also quick to highlight Buggy Bath’s consistently clean facilities and well-lit bays. We feel that these are two crucial things that a car wash needs to get right in order to give the assurance that the space is safe and hygienic for both the vehicle and the owner.
We also like that most customers attest to minimal to no waiting time. There are always open bays available, which means that they can get right down to business with no time wasted.
Lastly, we’re told that their staff are also courteous and easy to talk to, so customers can always approach someone to ask for assistance.
Pros
- A lot of parking spaces
- Clean facilities and well-lit bays
- Minimal to no waiting time
- Tap payment with credit card available
- Regular discount coupons available
- No need to insert additional coins to continue service
Cons
- Pricier than competitors
- Charge is based on total time inside the facility
- Less suction power on some vacuums
Customer Reviews
“Washing a car shouldn’t have to be about searching for coins and watching a timer run down.
That’s what is great about the business model of Buggy bath; Pay for time inside wash.
Lots of wash options, strong spray wand water pressure, Foam cannon/gun for prewash/bug wash/soak, softer bristle brushes (would avoid on body as they are often used on tires/rims and contain dirt which may cause scratches/swirls in paint)
indoor vacuum with somewhat consistent pressure depending on how busy it is before it’s last emptying.
No horrible smells in the wash coming from drains which shows the company has cleaned drains and proper flow.
Take all forms of payment.
You can dry indoors which is very convenient for winter; be mindful you are paying for this time as well.
Strong air guns for drying/blow out carpets with minimal moisture expelled through lines.
Friendly service.” –JP R
“”This is your standard self-serve car hand wash. It has good pressure and various choices of hot rinse, soap, wax, etc. Equipment seems well-maintained. I’d give it 5 stars if it was a little more economical – it’s about the same price as a full automatic wash but you have to do it yourself. At least you can control the quality of your wash.” –Eric Roeder
“”I’ve been going to this car wash for years. This car wash is first rate. The place is well lit. The bays are always well maintained. I find the staff to be courteous and on-the-ball. Great hours that cater to busy customers. The very best in value.” –M
2. Birds Hill Car & Truck Wash
| Car Wash Quality | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Overall Service Quality | ★★★★☆ (5/5) |
| Price | ★★★★☆ (5/5) |
One of the most consistent compliments customers give Birds Hill Car & Truck Wash is its spaciousness. Whether it’s a car or truck bay, we are impressed that the dimensions are large enough for vehicles to maneuver with no issues.
We also appreciate their range of payment options – from credit cards to coins. We particularly like their Customer Value Card, which allows the customer to pre-pay in amounts ranging from $20-$500, with 10% extra in value.
We think that this would provide an incredible convenience for car owners who just want to be in and out as quickly as they can. We even believe that this provides a great incentive to wash their vehicles on a regular basis!
Birds Hill Car & Truck Wash also offers enhanced security, which gives car owners peace of mind.
At the same time, we think it also benefits the shop as it can monitor how equipment is being used, allowing them to identify the areas or tools that need extra maintenance.
They’ve also thoughtfully added a vending machine filled with car care essentials, which we think is going the extra mile for customers. We like that they’re empowering car owners to look after their vehicles, showing us that they genuinely care about upkeep.
Many customers also rave about the good water pressure. Although some have pointed out that the water doesn’t get hot enough at times, most have no issues with the overall result of using their equipment.
There have been some minor issues with some trucks not being allowed inside the facility if they are deemed too grimy or muddy. But since these are mostly one-off reviews, we think that this is more an exception than a norm.
Pros
- Area is monitored by security cameras for safety
- Extra-large bays
- Extensive selection of wash options
- Good water pressure
- Vending machine featuring car care essentials
- Accepts credit cards, coins, and value cards
- Open daily
Cons
- Water is sometimes not warm enough
- May not be allowed to wash if vehicle is too muddy or dirty
Customer Reviews
“It had been a while since I last visited this car wash..Now I remember why I actually love going here to wash my vehicles.. The wash bays are large,clean & the selections on the dial for wash,rinse,wax etc settings are numerous & excellent!!I think I seen the owner & had to compliment him on what a really awesome car wash he has ,& I certainly will be a frequent repeat customer once again!!” –Randy Leonard
“Owner takes very good care of the wash. They accept credit, coin and value cards. Convenient vending machines and an ATM. Clean facility, super wide bays, great for my truck.” –Alyssa C
“One of the few car washes I know of that you can pay with a credit card in the wash bay. I rarely carry cash/change so this feature makes it very convenient.” –Kris Heieie
3. Exclusive Car & Truck Wash
| Car Wash Quality | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Overall Service Quality | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Price | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
The only full-service hand-wash service on our list, Exclusive Car & Truck Wash (ECTW) is a favorite among many discerning car owners for one main reason: these guys really know what they’re doing.
Because cars are attended to by experienced technicians, the quality of the wash is consistently impressive. Customers can attest to how no stone is left unturned with the cleaning and how the technicians would thoroughly work on areas even the car owner may have missed pointing out.
Of course, doing things manually means that the total service time may take longer than usual. Given this, ECTW may not be an option for customers who don’t have the luxury of time to wait it out.
We also love ECTW’s brand of friendly and professional customer service. Car owners are always made to feel welcome and staff intentionally communicate to them that their autos are in good hands.
It is because of this quality of care that we think ECTW has an amazing roster of loyal and returning clients. Many of them, after their first experience, made the switch and never looked back.
This is extra-impressive for us, given that their prices are a lot higher than your average car wash. Of course, this is understandable, given that a lot of manual TLC is involved and that there are human eyes literally spot-checking the auto.
Even more amazing is that ECTW customers are quick to defend their rates, noting how the quality of care and the personal touch given to each vehicle is worth the more premium price tag.
This tells us that the service is truly outstanding. At the end of the day, there is no clearer indicator that you’re doing things right than your clients becoming your strongest advocates.
Pros
- Oversized bays
- Relatively reasonable prices for thorough manual work
- Attention to detail
- Welcoming and professional team of experts
- Service with a personal touch
- Easily accessible
Cons
- No special perks or deals
- Can be too pricey for budget-conscious individuals
- Total service time can take longer
Customer Reviews
“First time getting my semi washed here prior To Christmas cant say enough good things about this place. Staff is very welcoming, professional in nature. They take great detail in what they do and the price is competitive with anyone in the business but with the personal touch they add I Will do my best To be back! Greatly appreciate this business !” –Brandt Kehler
“Took our travel trailer there recently for an exterior wash. Got us in same afternoon and did a great job at a very reasonable price. Everyone was super friendly and helpful.
Was looking to get the trailer waxed but was very informative about a different product that is better for gel coat and although a bit more expensive would last 2-3 years as opposed to a few months.
Was nice to get the info instead of just taking my money with not the best option or product.
Definitely check them out.” –Ryan G
“These guys deserve 10 stars out of 5. They know what they are doing & get the job done.
I’m from Illinois & came across this shop & I’m beyond satisfied with bringing my truck here. Left my truck looking showroom ready.
Crazy how reasonable their prices are for the work they do. Extremely recommend this place.” –Edwin Arias
4. Stop & Shine Car Wash
| Car Wash Quality | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Overall Service Quality | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Price | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Right off the bat, we immediately know that Stop & Shine Car Wash is known for its cleanliness, quick service, and great rates because this is what most customers say about them.
We love that it is known as an easy in-and-out car wash because it appeals to a generation of customers who value efficiency and time. They are a great option for car owners who also do their own quick maintenance in between washes.
We also like that they offer great value for money through their added-value-tokens. Since time is what you essentially pay for at a self-service, getting some bonus monetary value will go a long way for customers who need just a few minutes longer to clean to their satisfaction.
Customers also appreciate the minimal waiting time, as it is easy for them to get access to a bay and get their cleaning started. This is a convenience that should never be underestimated, as customers today consider time investment as a factor in choosing their preferred shop.
We have nothing to say about prices, as customers are happy with their rates. We think that in light of the impressive 10 self-service wash options Stop & Shine Car Wash provides, this is a hard-earned compliment.
A minor issue with them, however, is space. Given the total size of the facility, they can only accommodate larger-sized vehicles in their 24-hour outdoor bay.
For more weather-conscious car owners, this may be a potential turn-off. They are also limiting the availability of this option from April to October, which means that for the rest of the year, larger vehicles cannot be accommodated.
Lastly, there are some customers who have experienced not being assisted right away by staff. However, we think these are mostly one-off experiences, as most reviews praise the friendliness and professionalism of the team.
Pros
- Clean and well-lit bays
- Minimal waiting time
- Affordable prices
Cons
- Unable to accommodate larger-sized vehicles inside the facility
- Staff are sometimes unavailable to assist
Customer Reviews
“This place is awesome! Friendly, fast and professional! You’ll be satisfied with the service and a normal price. Special thanks to Maks, he really cares about what he does! My highest recommendation!” –Kseniya Z
“Excellent. Always hot water and clean facility. Been using this place for 17 years” –Graeme Boon
“I love this car wash!!! Never super busy, its clean and machines are awesome!” –Janessa Buhay
What are the typical components of a car wash?
After you get your car squeaky-clean and looking great again, you may want to consider getting it looked at by an auto wrecker. They can help you source second-hand parts for your vehicle’s upkeep, which is both a cost- and eco-friendly way of maintaining it,.
To help you get started, take a look at our list of best auto wreckers in the Winnipeg area.