Why and How to Remove Fallen Leaves from Vehicles

As the fall season reaches its peak, fallen leaves may likely be covering your yard. While the conventional thinking used to be that it was a good idea to bag them up as soon as possible, some gardening experts now recommend leaving the leaves on the ground to serve as compost during the cold winter season. The extra layer of warmth not only adds nutrients to the lawn but also provides a safe place for pollinators to nest.

However, while you may decide to keep some leaves around this year, it is never a good idea to let them remain on a vehicle for long. Here is a look at why you need to remove fallen leaves from your car, as well as how you can safely remove them without causing additional damage.

How Leaves Can Damage Vehicles

They may look harmless, but fallen leaves can significantly damage the body of a vehicle. Harmful fungi and tree sap can form on leaves when they get wet and adhere to the surface of a car. These elements are capable of penetrating the clear outer coating of a vehicle, causing the paint to peel or stain. While the damage may seem minor and fixable at the time, the impacts can build up quickly and cause irreversible harm.