IWashCars – The ‘Uber’ of Car Washes
Modernising car care in Stellenbosch
Some of the best business ideas come from solving everyday problems. For Desmond Mogodi, co-founder of IWashCars, that problem was the traditional car wash – tedious, inconvenient, and wasteful. The IWashCars solution is a smart, on-demand car wash service that brings eco-friendly cleaning directly to customers.
Mogodi and his co-founders, Brighton Maharela and Lesedi Dikhoba, launched IWashCars in 2023 after recognising the need for a more flexible and sustainable car wash experience. “People want convenience,” says Mogodi. “We bring the car wash to them, use less water, and deliver a fast, high-quality service. We’re like the ‘Uber’ of car washes.”
The idea took shape in Stellenbosch, where the trio held many brainstorming sessions over coffee and doughnuts. At first, their entrepreneurial journey started with an e-commerce venture before pivoting to car care. This shift proved to be the right move for the entrepreneurial trio.
Since its launch, IWashCars has evolved from a purely mobile service to a hybrid model, offering both mobile and fixed-location services. Their expansion into Fish Hoek marked a major milestone, culminating in the launch of a permanent location at a Shell Garage in early 2025.
Building the business wasn’t without challenges. Initially bootstrapped, the founders started by finding customers and washing cars on foot, thereafter they moved to bicycles, and later relied on Uber before securing a physical space. Having a physical space allows the startup to offer hybrid services and save on storage space for their equipment. Through perseverance and smart partnerships, they’ve washed over 500 cars in just a few short months of starting their business.
IWashCars has earned industry recognition through several entrepreneurship competitions and incubator programmess, including:
- SU LaunchLab Incubation Program – Five weeks of intensive business training.
- EDHE National Competition 2024 – Regional winners.
- YouthX Nedbank Competition 2024 – Top 10 finalist, securing R25,000 in funding.
- TrioPlus Development Business Coaching 2025 – Ongoing mentorship.
- Mashauri College’s USSAVI 25 Mini Incubator – Business training and development.
Additionally, a partnership with law firm Michaelsons has strengthened their legal footing in the tech-driven space.
Reflecting on his journey, Mogodi shares an inspiring message to aspiring student entrepreneurs: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” He urges young entrepreneurs to embrace their potential, stay true to their vision, and persist through challenges.
With its rapid growth and innovative approach, IWashCars is redefining car care in Stellenbosch and beyond. If you’re in the area, why not experience the future of car washing yourself?
For bookings, contact IWashCars on 061 531 5766 or via email at FanosiMaharela@gmail.com.
