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Summer road trip: what to wash before you leave and after
Before a trip to the summer cottage, what matters most is clean glass, a full washer fluid reservoir and a tidy interior. If you have a long drive ahead, choose a wash that includes a quick wax: insects come off a waxed surface more easily. Once you are back home, wash off the insects and the cottage-road dust soon, before they have time to dry on.
Before you leave: glass and washer fluid
A thin film builds up on the inside of the windscreen. You barely notice it in cloudy weather, but low sunshine turns it into glare. You can clean the outside with washer fluid while you drive, but not the inside. That is why the glass is worth cleaning on the inside before a long trip.
On summer roads you wipe insects off the windscreen often, and the washer fluid runs out quickly. Fill the reservoir before you set off. Washer fluid top-up (€10–25) can be done on the same visit. If the wipers already leave streaks on the glass, replace the blades before the trip. We can change the blades for you too if you arrange it with us by phone.
Which wash before a long drive
If the car was washed recently and you just want to set off in a clean car, Basic wash (€34–47) is enough. It also covers the door frames and rubber mats.
Before a long road trip, Seasonal wash (€49–62) is the better choice. It includes a solvent wash and a quick wax that lasts for about 3–4 washes. Insects and road grime stick less to a waxed surface, so the car is easier to wash when you get back.
The interior before the trip
A drive of a few hours feels more comfortable when there is no sand on the floor and the dashboard is clean. Light interior cleaning (€39–52) includes vacuuming the floor, seats and mats and wiping the dashboard. It does not include the boot or the windows. If you also want the glass clean on the inside and the boot tidy for your luggage, choose Full interior cleaning (€64–77), which includes both.
Take your belongings out of the car before the interior cleaning, so that the cleaning can reach every corner. There are tips on getting ready in our article on preparing your car for interior cleaning.
When you are back home
- Insects: wash them off soon, before they dry on. Our article on washing after a long drive explains why it pays to be quick.
- Cottage-road dust and sand: a gravel road leaves a layer of dust on the sides and sand in the footwells. Do not wipe the dust off dry; wash it off.
- Tree sap: if the car stood under trees, check the bonnet and the roof. Sap hardens and does not always come off completely in an ordinary wash. We can remove stubborn sap as an extra.
- Pet hair: Pet hair removal is an add-on to interior cleaning. The price (from €19) depends on the amount of hair.
A wash and an interior clean before you go
Seasonal wash €49–62 and Light interior cleaning €39–52 on the same visit. Book online or call us.