WALLINGFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Your car is one of the most expensive things you’ll buy and of course you want to take care of it, but things can start to add up. We’ve all been there, you pull up to get a car wash and are faced with a slew of different prices.

On Wednesday, News 8 showed you the damage salt on the snowy roadways can do to the bottom of your car. So, we know it’s important to clean it off, but do we really have to pay top dollar after every storm?

David Chess, the manager at Scrubbin’ Bubbles in Wallingford says you do have to wash after every storm, as soon after as possible, but you don’t need the top package.

“For our customers looking to save money, we usually tell them the silver. It’s the one that sprays underneath. It’s the most you can get for the least amount of money here,” Chess said.

Spraying under the car is key to salt removal. Wallingford’s Tiffany Spinnato says her husband usually cleans her car at home to save money. Until, until that is, she gets an oil change. Then the wash is free!

“I work and have 3 kids so car washes on the list of priorities is kind of on the bottom, so just being able to save some money here and there is really important and you know this is one of the ways to do that,” Spinnato said.

Chess says there are lots of ways to avoid paying full price.

“We have a punch card you get 10 punches, you get a free wash, we have coupons all over, at Big Y, on the back on receipts, they come in the mail,” he said.

And sometimes it just pays to be a loyal customer.

“You know if they’ve been here a while we’ll give them the better wash or a free vacuum,” Chess added.

It’s also never a bad idea to pick up the phone and call around to some different places in your area. If they know you’re a potential customer, they might just hook you up with a better deal.