What Are Wiper Bags, Why Are They Showing Up All Over Michigan?

There has been an influx of car washes lately all across Michigan. It seems like a new one is constantly being built somewhere, especially the new state-of-the-art automated car washes. Just think about how much winter salt we get on our vehicles and all the dirt and mud throughout the rest of the year. Business owners are trying to trying to help Michigan drivers keep their cars clean.

Many local car washes now offer monthly memberships allowing customers to wash their cars as often as they'd like. Enjoying my membership late last year, I couldn't help but notice that they technicians at the car wash were putting plastic bags over my rear wiper before entering the automated system.

READ MORE: 11 Genesee County Spots That Will Wash Winter Away

So I began to wonder what possible reason would you have to put a bag over a windshield wiper? According to a manufacturer in the field, the bags are a specifically designed protective barrier to protect the wiper and blades during the process of an automated car wash.

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They protect from several things such as the highly concentrated chemicals, high-pressure jets and the mechanical components of the machinery that could get snagged on the wiper.

Tommy's Car Wash introduced a new product claiming to eliminate the need for wiper bags. Their new Enhanced Mitter Cloths are eight times less likely to snag on wipers. However, they still use high pressure jets and harsh chemicals.