Van drivers are being offered advice on how to valet their vehicles without forking out for a professional cleaning service. The motoring experts at StressFreeCarRental.com have put together ten hacks to help tradespeople give their vans a premium clean from home.
Valeting involves cleaning, polishing and waxing a vehicle, and it enables tradespeople to uphold a professional appearance.
But with motorists feeling the pinch of the cost of living crisis, many drivers are choosing to ditch professional car washing. A full valet from professionals can be expensive, but luckily there are ways to give vans a showroom finish from home. Easy-to-follow hacks include applying wax after the exterior is cleaned for extra gloss and shine and buffing car windows with a microfiber cloth to stop streaking.
John Charnock, CEO of StressFreeCarRental.com, says: “With fuel and insurance prices skyrocketing, the last thing tradespeople need is to fork out on an expensive clean when it can be done from home. Van drivers will be surprised to know it is pretty straightforward to give their car a DIY valet themselves and a professional valet isn’t necessary with a little time and effort.
“It also doesn’t give the best impression about a business if a work van is etched in dirt, and people may even question the quality of your work. This is why we have revealed ten hacks to clean, protect and shine vehicles, ensuring a premium look both inside and out.”
How to valet a van from home like a professional, by StressFreeCarRental.com:
1. Declutter
Start the cleaning process with a blank canvas by emptying the van, including removing rubbish and all the mats. Those who own a blower should use it to blow out loose dirt.
2. Vacuum
Vacuum the entire interior including compartments, the boot and seats. Pay particular attention to areas like the van footwells which are more likely to have dirt and mud into the crevices.
3. Seats
For fabric seats, spray a carpet or upholstery cleaner to tackle stains, let it sit depending on instructions, then rinse with a cloth and blot dry. Leather seats can be cleaned with a leather cleaner or mild soap, which should be worked in using a microfiber cloth. Rinse until the cleaner is removed, then buff with another microfiber cloth.
4. Windows
Use a glass cleaner to prevent streaks and a microfiber cloth to clean the inside and outside of the windows and windscreen. Follow by buffing with another microfiber cloth soaked in water.
5. Dust and polish
An all-purpose cleaner can be used on surfaces like the dashboard and centre console, microfiber cloths will grab onto dirt and dust for a shinier finish.
6. Carpets and Mats
Dilute a carpet cleaner or all-purpose cleaner with warm water and work in sections to gently scrub with a soft brush, removing excess dirt and moisture by blotting with a microfiber cloth.
7. Clean exterior body
Mix warm water with car shampoo and work from top to bottom using a sponge. Pay attention to areas like the car hinges and number plates, rubbing shampoo foam with a soft brush before rinsing off.
8. Wheels
Use hot soapy water and a soft sponge, then go in using circular motions with a wheel brush to tackle stubborn dirt and hard-to-reach areas in the alloys.
9. Apply wax
Once the van has completely dried, apply the appropriate wax in small sections and thin layers onto the paintwork of the van, working in circular motions.
10. Buff
Wait 20 minutes after application of the wax before buffing it dry with a microfibre cloth. The wax polish should have cleared the coat and illuminated the colour and shine of the van.
