For every driver, the cleanliness of the car interior is not only a matter of aesthetics, but also professionalism. After all, your car is a mobile business card, and a well-kept interior can affect passenger opinions, ratings in applications or even tips.
Learn how to effectively maintain order so that customers feel comfortable and your workplace always looks impeccable?
Why is taxi cleanliness crucial?
Car cleanliness is not only a matter of aesthetics, but also a key factor influencing the comfort and well-being of both passengers and the driver.
Even if you don't drive the latest model vehicle, keeping your rides tidy and clean will make them more enjoyable and your customers will rate you higher.
Passengers will certainly appreciate a neat, fragrant interior – it is your calling card and at the same time “your office”, which affects your image. Even if you do not have a luxury car, cleanliness is something that is within the reach of every driver.
Sit in the back seat of your car and take on the role of a passenger. From this perspective, you will notice details that you might not normally notice. A dirty, neglected car immediately turns off passengers, so avoid it at all costs.
Regular cleaning not only affects your driving comfort, but also your performance in taxi apps and on returning customers.
What to prepare for cleaning the interior of your car?
On the market you will find a wide range of products intended for various car components:
Rugs and floors – invest in a cordless vacuum cleaner or a 12v one that will help remove sand and dirt from hard-to-reach places.
Leather and fabric upholstery – use products that are suited to the type of upholstery, paying particular attention to leather, which requires greasing to prevent cracking. Fabric upholstery should also be impregnated.
Plastics and dashboard – use preparations with anti-UV and antistatic functions, which prevent dust from settling and fading of elements. Remember, Plak is evil.
Windows – use high-quality cleaning fluids and microfiber cloths to clean them to avoid streaks and scratches. Nothing is as annoying as fingers on the windows and streaks when driving into the sun.
Steps to help keep your car clean:
Take out the trash and vacuum the vehicle: Start by getting rid of all the trash. Then vacuum the seats, floors, and under the seats, moving them forward and back to reach every nook and cranny. This will quickly make a difference in the appearance of the interior.
Upholstery cleaning: Use the right products for the type of upholstery. Leather seats require special care – use products that lubricate the material and protect it from fading.
Plastics and dashboards: Plastics, such as the dashboard, should be regularly wiped with cleaners that also protect against UV radiation. Be sure to choose a product that provides a matte finish to avoid light reflections.
Windows: Regularly clean your windows inside and out to ensure you and your passengers have excellent visibility. A good quality window cleaner and microfiber cloths are key to clear, streak-free windows.
Can I tell you a great trick for keeping order in your car?
One of the biggest challenges is keeping the plastic parts clean, especially those with a Piano Black finish, which get dirty very easily and are prone to streaking.
A key tool to have in every car is wet wipes – and even the simplest ones, such as baby wipes, will work great here.
Wet wipes are cheap, multi-functional, and can be used both to clean the interior of the car and to refresh your hands on the road.
From your own experience, you recommend Lidl bathroom wipes - these products are unique because they do not leave streaks on delicate plastics, which is crucial in the case of Piano Black finishes.
Plastic maintenance
After thoroughly cleaning the interior of your vehicle, to protect the plastics from re-deposition of dust and dirt, you can use two proven products:
Shiny Garage Back2Black Polymer Tire Dressing – although it is advertised mainly for tires, it also works great on plastic parts and bumpers. Its biggest advantage is that it does not stick after application, which ensures a long-lasting clean effect.
ADBL Black Water – in a more liquid form, which makes it easier to apply. This product will perfectly preserve the cleaned surface, giving it an elegant look without excessive shine.
Both products must be applied to a previously cleaned surface to ensure maximum effectiveness and protection against dirt.
How to avoid clutter?
The most important rule for maintaining order is regularity. After each day full of work, take a few minutes to remove the trash and check that everything is in its place.
Following this routine will help you avoid clutter from building up and your car's interior will always look professional.
It is also worth checking regularly in your free time what the passengers left behind.
A well-maintained car increases driving comfort and raises the level of service, which directly affects your ratings in applications and the opinion of passengers.
This also has a huge impact on the amount of tips left.
The scent in your car – a discreet but important element
The absence of unpleasant odors in the car is a key aspect that can affect the comfort of driving and the perception of passengers. The cleanliness of the car goes hand in hand with a pleasant smell, but remember that the smell should be subtle and not dominant .
Overly intense aromas can be irritating to passengers, which will certainly not impact their experience positively.
Regular airing: The basis is to air the car frequently – a few minutes with the windows open after the end of the trip is enough to freshen up the interior. Airing helps to remove not only unpleasant odours, but also moisture, which can lead to the formation of mould or mustiness.
Smoking in the car? Definitely not: If you smoke, avoid smoking in the car . Cigarette smoke quickly penetrates upholstery and plastics, and its odor is extremely difficult to remove. The unpleasant smell of smoke can be off-putting to passengers, especially those who are sensitive to strong aromas.
Ozonation of the cabin: Regular ozonation of the cabin is also a good solution , as it effectively removes both bacteria and undesirable odors. This is a professional method of air disinfection that helps to refresh the interior of the car without the need to use intensive fragrances.
Choosing the right car perfume: I also recommend buying a delicate car perfume that will subtly freshen up the interior. It is worth choosing scents with a neutral, fresh character - for example, citrus or forest notes, which are less invasive to the senses. Avoid excessive use of scents, so that the car interior does not become overwhelming for passengers.
One of the least recommended scents is vanilla , which, although popular, often causes unpleasant reactions in passengers - some may find it too intense or cloying. It is best for the scent to be only faintly noticeable, creating a fresh atmosphere, not a dominating cloud of aroma.
From my experience, when it comes to car scents, I especially recommend California Scents . These are small cans that can be easily hidden under the seat, and their biggest advantage is durability - they can smell for over half a year, and some scents last even longer.
This is a great solution for drivers who want the scent in their car to be delicate but long-lasting.
Keep your car fresh by being subtle about your scents – your passengers will appreciate it more than you might think!
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