What car cleaning regimen would be complete without the finishing touch? Everyday aging and wear and tear that comes from exposure to elements such as ozone, weather, and ultraviolet light can leave your car looking older than its true age.

Protective finishes are therefore a must, whether you're working on your car, truck, motorcycle, boat, SUV or RV. Detailing your car with a protective coating for all of its surfaces-including the exterior paint, tires, leather, vinyl, panels, and carpeting-will keep it looking polished and new for a long time.

There are many products on the market today offering you "dressings" for your vehicle-an added protective coating from top to bottom-from rubber to vinyl protectants made from a variety of waxes and sealants. But did you know that your wash wax choice may actually deterioate your vehicle's surfaces?

One of the biggest concerns today are petroleum distillates. These ingredients are used commonly in waxes and sealants and come with a variety of risks:

• When applied to vinyl, rubber, and plastics, products containing petroleum distillates can cause cracking.
• Petroleum distillates can weaken leather stitching and fibers, causing splitting of seams. They may also harden leather with repeated applications.
• If your vehicle is finished with the new generation of water-based paints, petroleum distillates can eat away at the protective sealant.
• Products containing petroleum distillates can pose several health risks when they come in contact with skin, eyes, or when they are inhaled or ingested and should be kept out of reach of children and pets.
  
• If your vehicle has been finished with striping, lettering, or decals, products containing petroleum distillates can dissolve the adhesive backing.
  
• Petroleum distillates are obviously derived from crude oil, making them inherently un-green and unsustainable.

We therefore highly recommend a wash wax for your vehicle that's petroleum distillate-free. Our Laura Klein's Green Car Wash & Wax Concentrate is a green alternative on so many levels. It is made with nontoxic, water-based, biodegradable ingredients that are safe for all surfaces, including vinyl, metal, paint, rubber, and plastics. Plus, it contains protective, wax-like coatings that provide a full-spectrum shield with UVA and UVB protection.

The Laura Klein's Green Car Wash & Wax Concentrate is also easy to use. Simply dilute the Wash & Wax Concentrate in water and use it to wash and rinse your vehicle. Then, with a soft microfiber cloth, dry and buff surfaces to a polished, streak-free, protecting shine.