During each flight, an aircraft accumulates dust and grime on its exterior. This not only makes the aircraft look dirty but also increases fuel consumption due to added weight and reduced aerodynamics. Traditionally, aircraft are cleaned several times a year using high-pressure water, consuming over 11,300 liters for an Airbus A380 and 9,500 liters for a Boeing 777 per wash.

Aircraft cleaning was performed by spraying surfactant or cleaning chemicals onto the surface of the aircraft. The dirt would be removed from the surface by agitating the aircraft cleaning chemicals and the dirt or oils on the surface. The final stage would be washing off this liquid with water, allowing the waste to flow into the rainwater drainage system. Unfortunately, heavy metals such as Cadmium were found above safe limits in wastewater. The result was to move away from 'wet washing' to 'dry washing' where no water or waste enters the rainwater drainage systems at airports.

In addition to environmental and fuel efficiency benefits, dry washing significantly extends the aircraft’s paint life and surface integrity. By using non-abrasive materials and specialized cleaning agents, this method avoids micro-scratches and corrosion commonly caused by water-based washing. Airlines adopting dry wash techniques have reported reduced downtime, fewer maintenance issues, and improved overall fleet appearance — all while aligning with global sustainability standards.