Halloween season is driving in new business for car washes across the country, thanks to a growing trend: the haunted car wash. Locations like Fast Splash Car Wash in Detroit are turning routine vehicle cleanings into immersive horror experiences complete with clowns, chainsaws, and strobe lights.
Visitors to these haunted car washes remain in their vehicles as actors in costume approach, tapping windows, yanking at door handles, and delivering frights between sprays of soap and spinning brushes. For many, the eerie atmosphere stirs childhood memories of being uneasy during a standard car wash – now amplified with Halloween theatrics.
“This is going to be the biggest year we have for this,” said Joel Fullmer, retail marketing manager at Tommy’s Express, a car wash chain headquartered in Holland, Mich. Nearly half of the company’s 260 locations will participate in its signature Halloween event, the “Tunnel of Terror.”
The haunted car wash concept has spread across both independent businesses and national chains. From Utah’s Wiggy Wash, where costumed skeletons clean cars, to Whatta Wash in South Carolina, known for its demonic clowns, the spooky trend shows no signs of slowing. While its origins are unclear, Fullmer recalls first hearing about haunted car washes in Virginia and Florida. The concept has since gained significant traction, especially in car-centric regions like Southern California.
At participating Tommy’s locations, the normally bright and open wash tunnels are transformed into dark, fog-filled horror zones. Staff members dress up and roam around vehicles as they approach, adding an interactive scare factor to the cleaning process.
Fullmer, who has also donned a costume for the event, says some locations see a significant spike in attendance. One Tommy’s Express reportedly washed more than 1,000 cars in just eight hours. Prices for haunted car wash experiences typically range from $25 to $30.
While no official data exists on the economic impact of haunted car washes, the International Carwash Association notes that offering a “memorable or differentiated wash experience” is considered “very important” by the majority of car wash businesses.
For many operators, the haunted car wash is not just a seasonal gimmick – it’s a creative way to attract new customers, boost revenue, and stay top-of-mind in their communities during the competitive Halloween season.