If your car is looking a little worse for wear, you may be eyeing a valet service.

But what does a valet service include, and how is it different from a basic car wash? A professional car valet is great if you don’t want to get your hands dirty and your car needs some TLC.

Today, we’ll run through what a car valet is and what it includes, so you know what to expect when you book in your first appointment. It’s also useful to know that not every valet is the same, but we’ll get more into that in a bit.

Ready to hand your keys over and have your car scrubbed from top to bottom? Book in for a mobile car valet with us today. You can enjoy a clean car without moving a muscle.

Key takeaways

• A valet is more thorough than a standard car wash and normally tackles both interior and exterior cleaning.
• What’s included varies by provider, so always check the package before booking.
• Mini valets are usually best for light, routine cleaning, while full valets suit heavily soiled or neglected vehicles.
• Let the valeter know about stains, odours, pet hair, or other problem areas in advance so they can recommend the right treatment.
• Before your appointment, remove valuables and clutter, make sure the car is accessible, and take out child seats if you want the areas underneath cleaned.
• A car valet can take several hours, depending on the vehicle’s size and condition and the level of cleaning required.
• Mobile valeting can be a convenient option if you want the car cleaned at home or work without travelling to a fixed location.

What exactly is a car valet?

When you take your car for a valet, you can expect a full professional clean that goes beyond basic surface cleaning.

A valet focuses on both interior and exterior cleaning, as well as protecting your car from further dirt and damage. This may include:

• exterior washing and drying
• wheel and tyre cleaning
• interior vacuuming
• dashboard and trim cleaning
• window cleaning
• carpet and upholstery cleaning
• finishing or protective products

Rather than just a basic scrub at the car wash, a valet really gets into dirt and grime and stains on both the inside and outside of your car to restore it as close as possible to how it looked when it was brand new.

Some valet packages may also include deeper carpet or upholstery cleaning and finishing products for the paintwork, tyres, or interior trim. For this reason, a valet is the go-to choice for professionals who use their car for work or have an event or occasion coming up and need it to be spotless.

What should a professional car valet include?

A valet will be mostly the same no matter where you go, but some companies may charge extra for add-ons, while others will just offer everything as a packaged deal, so it’s good to check a few places before you book a service.

Here’s what you can expect, though, when you book a valet:

Exterior cleaning

A valet usually starts by removing loose dirt and grime from the bodywork before washing the car properly. The wheels and tyres should also get a lot of attention, as they collect some of the most road dirt and brake dust.

A professional valet may include:

• pre-washing to loosen dirt and reduce the risk of scratching the paint
• washing and drying the bodywork
• cleaning the wheels and tyres
• cleaning the windows and mirrors
• cleaning around door shuts and other easily missed areas
• applying tyre dressing
• applying a wax, sealant, or other basic protective finish

If you want something that focuses more on aesthetic fixes, a car detailing focuses on treatments like machine polishing, scratch removal, or paint correction, so many drivers book both of these services together.

Interior cleaning

When you go through a car wash, the only thing that’s getting soapy is the bodywork of your car. With a valet, your upholstery, dashboard, and carpets get scrubbed to remove dirt, dust, stains, and debris, leaving the interior feeling as fresh as a daisy.

The interior part of the service will usually include:

• vacuuming the seats, carpets, mats, and the boot
• wiping and cleaning the dashboard, centre console, and door trims
• cleaning interior windows and mirrors
• cleaning fabric or leather seats
• treating marks and light stains
• cleaning around cup holders, vents, and other smaller areas
• deodorising or freshening the interior

You may also be able to add on deeper stain removal, pet hair removal, wet extraction, and intensive upholstery cleaning, but it’ll likely cost you extra.

With us, you can benefit from HEPA-level vacuuming and specialist steam cleaning to remove mould and mildew as part of your package. We also use enzyme or oxidising treatments to remove strong odours and clean vents.

5 things to check before booking your car valet

So, before booking a car valet, it’s a good idea to make sure the service includes everything that you need for one price, so you don’t end up having to pay more for extras.

To help you out, we’ve put together a little checklist of things to look out for when booking your car in for a valet.

1. Decide how much cleaning your car actually needs

If your car only has a bit of light mud on the outside or a few crumbs inside, you might not need the full rundown.

A mini valet is great for when it just needs a refresh to clean light dust, dirt, and everyday mess. However, if the carpets are heavily soiled, the seats are stained, or the exterior hasn’t been cleaned in a while, a full valet is better.

Some places offer mini and full valet options, but others, like us, offer one valet service that includes everything, so it’s best to check first.

2. Check exactly what’s included in the price

Like we’ve said, not every company includes the same treatments under services labelled “mini valet” or “full valet”, even if they are called the same thing everywhere.

One package might include upholstery cleaning and wax protection, while another may charge extra for these services. Check whether the price includes everything you need; if not, compare other options.

3. Mention any problem areas in advance

If your car has some stubborn stains, pet hair, unpleasant odours, muddy carpets, or food and drink spills, let the valeter know beforehand.

That way, we can focus more on these areas, and we can help you determine whether a valet is right for you or if more specialised treatments are needed. We can also let you know what can and can’t be removed with a valet.

4. Check whether the service is mobile or at a fixed location

At Car Cleaning Experts, we offer mobile valet services, which are a real time saver when you can’t find time in between work and other responsibilities to drive down to the garage.

We bring our own water and products and use our own electricity; we just need easy access to your car, whether it’s parked outside your house or at work.

If you choose a valet that’s at a fixed location, just check where you need to leave the car and roughly how long you should expect to be without it.

How to prepare your car for a valet

If you’ve just booked in for a valet and you’re not sure how to get your car ready, here’s a simple checklist you can follow to make the process easier and quicker for both you and the valeter.

1. Remove valuables and personal belongings from the vehicle.
2. Clear away any clutter to make rugs, seats, and the boot easier to access.
3. Point out any odours or hidden stains to the valeter so they know what to look for.
4. Remove child seats if you want the seats and carpets underneath them cleaned.
5. For a mobile car valet, make sure there is enough room around the vehicle for the valeter to work safely.
6. Make sure the valeter has access to the car or the keys.

Some companies have their own policy on removing or reinstalling child seats, so always check first.

How long does a car valet take?

A car valet doesn’t have a set timeframe, since some cars will need more cleaning than others, but you should expect it to take at least 2-3 hours.

A full valet will, of course, take longer than a mini valet, and larger cars, SUVs, and vans may also take longer because they have more surface area to clean.

Once you book in, the valeter will usually examine your car’s condition and give you a timeframe for when it’ll be ready for collection.

Get your car professionally valeted with Car Cleaning Experts

Is your car ready for a refresh?

With our mobile valet service, we’ll come directly to you with all of our equipment and specialist products, so you can enjoy a professional clean from your home.

We’ll make your car look shiny and new on the outside while it feels comfortable and fresh on the inside. Contact us today to get booked in!