Keeping your car clean has never been easier thanks to mobile valeting services that come directly to you.
But how often should you book one? Weekly, monthly, or just once a year to keep your car fresh? In this post, we’ll break down the ideal valeting schedule for different car owners and usage habits.
Overview
If you use your car for work, such as deliveries or taxi driving, a weekly mobile valet is recommended to keep it looking professional. For daily commuters, every 4–6 weeks is usually enough. If you only use your car occasionally for social trips, every 3–6 months should do the trick. And if your car is rarely driven or stored off-road, once a year is ideal.
That being said, how often you need a valet will depend on how you use and store your car. The more it is driven, the quicker it gets dirty, especially if you drive for work, use rural dirt roads, park on busy streets, or regularly transport kids and pets.
The type of valet you choose also makes a difference, as most valeters offer a range of packages from a simple exterior wash to a full mobile detail.
A good approach is to start with a full valet, monitor how quickly your car gets dirty, and then schedule regular ongoing maintenance valets based on that timeline.
Weekly – Best for professionals and businesses
- Weekly valets are ideal for work or business vehicles with heavy use.
- Full interior and exterior packages help maintain a professional appearance.
- Outsourcing fleet cleaning keeps vehicles clean, convenient, and stress-free.
If you use your car for work or business, such as a delivery driver, taxi driver, pet groomer, or driving instructor, a weekly valet is recommended. This keeps your car looking its best even with heavy use, especially when transporting customers or goods.
A package that covers both the exterior and interior is ideal, ensuring the entire vehicle looks clean and well-maintained. Not only does this help preserve your car, but it also creates a professional impression for customers. Many of these valets also include odour removal, which is especially useful for delivery drivers who regularly transport food or other items that can leave lingering smells.
Weekly valets are also ideal for businesses that own or operate a fleet of vehicles. Rather than employing in-house staff, you can outsource the cleaning and have your vehicles serviced on a schedule that suits your business. It’s convenient, stress-free, and keeps your fleet looking professional at all times. Whether that’s cars, vans, caravans, or trucks, most valeters cover a range of vehicle types and sizes.
Quick Tip: Choosing a reliable mobile valeter is essential for cleaning your business vehicles. Always do your research, including checking online reviews, verifying insurance coverage, and looking at examples of their previous work.
Monthly – Best for everyday drivers
- Monthly valets are sufficient for commuter or regularly used cars.
- Start with a full valet, then switch to quicker maintenance cleans.
- Flexible packages let you tailor services to your car’s needs.
For those who regularly use their car for commuting to work or social trips, a monthly valet is usually enough to keep it looking fresh throughout the year.
Starting with a full valet gives your car a deep clean and removes any built-up dirt, after which you can switch to a monthly or six-week maintenance valet. Maintenance valets are generally quicker and cheaper since they focus on top-up cleaning rather than tackling heavy dirt buildup.
Once your car has had a full valet, you can tailor ongoing services based on how you use it and how quickly it gets dirty. You might only need a basic exterior wash, or a maintenance valet that includes extras like pet hair removal or rubbish removal if you have children.
Many valeters offer flexible maintenance packages with add-ons, so you only pay for the services you actually need. This keeps the costs of mobile valeting to a minimum.
3-6 months – Best for occasional drivers
- Occasional drivers usually need a valet every 3–6 months.
- Choose a mini valet or tailor extras like interior vacuuming.
- Pick services based on factors like kids, pets, or light car use.
If you work from home, have a part-time job, or only use your car socially, a mobile valet every 3–6 months is usually enough to keep it in good condition.
You could book a mini valet, which typically covers both the exterior and interior, or choose a basic exterior valet and add extras like interior vacuuming. It really depends on how you use the car when you do drive it.
For example, if you have kids or pets, the interior may need more attention, whereas if you only drive occasionally, a simple exterior wash may be all you need.
Quick Tip: Make sure to prepare your car by removing items like child seats or pet seat covers before the valet. This helps the service run smoothly and allows the valeter to clean every part of your car thoroughly.
12 months – Best for rarely used or stored cars
- Stored or rarely used cars need a valet every 12–18 months.
- Even in storage, dirt can build up and cause rust or devalue the car.
- A yearly valet maintains condition and protects components.
Stored cars or vehicles that are rarely used can benefit from a mobile valet every 12–18 months. Even when not driven, they can still gather dirt and grime while in storage, which may reduce the car’s value and increase the risk of rust.
An occasional yearly valet helps keep the vehicle in good condition, prevents dust and dirt build-up, and protects vital components so the car stays in good working order.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How often should I get a full valet?
Whether you use your car for work, business, or just socially, it’s best to book a full valet every 3–6 months, with a mini or maintenance valet in between. The full valet tackles stubborn dirt and deep build-up, while the mini or maintenance valet offers a quicker, more affordable way to keep your car clean and fresh between full services.
How often should I get a mini valet?
You should book a mini valet or maintenance valet every 2–4 weeks in between full valets, depending on how often and what you use the car for. For example, if you use your car for work, such as a courier or driving instructor, a mini or maintenance valet every 2–3 weeks alongside a full valet every 3–4 months is ideal.
If you only use the car for commuting or the occasional social trip, a mini valet every 4–6 weeks with a full valet every 6 months is usually enough. That said, if you transport children or pets, you may need more frequent mini or maintenance valets to keep on top of mess and dirt.
Conclusion
Whether you need a weekly, monthly, or yearly mobile valet depends on how often you use your vehicle and what it’s used for.
For typical drivers who use their car for commuting or social trips, a monthly or six-weekly valet is usually sufficient to keep it looking fresh. If your car sees heavier use, or is part of a business or work routine, weekly valets are recommended to maintain a consistently clean and professional appearance.
