Interior Chemicals and Tools: What Do I Need for Mobile Valeting?

Getting started with mobile valeting can seem overwhelming when you look at the sheer number of products available. The good news is that you don't need every product on the market - just the right essentials to do a thorough job.

Interior Chemicals You'll Need

All Purpose Cleaner (APC)

This is your workhorse product. A quality All Purpose Cleaner like G101 from Autosmart can be diluted down to suit requirements, making it incredibly cost-effective. You can use it at different dilution ratios for different surfaces:

• 10:1 for light cleaning of plastics and trim
• 5:1 for general purpose cleaning
• 3:1 or stronger for heavy soiling

Fabric and Carpet Cleaner

While APC can work on fabrics, a dedicated fabric cleaner is formulated to break down organic stains more effectively. Look for products that are safe for use with extraction machines.

Leather Cleaner

Leather requires specific care - using the wrong products can dry it out or cause damage. A pH-balanced leather cleaner will clean without stripping natural oils from the leather.

Glass Cleaner

Interior glass gets a film of residue from off-gassing plastics and general use. A good automotive glass cleaner will cut through this without leaving streaks.

Essential Interior Tools

Vacuum Cleaner

A powerful vacuum is non-negotiable. The Henry model is popular among professional valets for its reliability and suction power. Make sure you have various attachments for getting into tight spaces - crevice tools, upholstery attachments, and brush heads.

Wet-Vac / Extraction Machine

For deep cleaning fabrics, a wet-vac or carpet extractor is essential. These machines spray cleaning solution into the fabric and then extract it along with the dirt. This is how professionals achieve that "like new" result on heavily soiled seats and carpets.

Boar Hair Brushes

Soft boar hair brushes are perfect for delicate surfaces like leather, vents, and dashboard displays. They agitate dirt without scratching or causing damage.

Drill with Brush Attachments

For heavily soiled carpets and floor mats, a drill with brush attachments can save your arms and provide much better agitation than manual brushing. The spinning action works cleaning products deep into fibres to lift embedded dirt.

Microfibre Towels

You can never have too many microfibre towels. Use different colours for different tasks to avoid cross-contamination:

• One colour for glass
• One colour for interior surfaces
• One colour for leather
• One colour for dirty tasks

Pet Hair Removal Brush

Pet hair is notoriously difficult to remove with vacuum alone. A rubber pet hair brush or pumice stone designed for the job will make quick work of even the worst pet hair situations.

Building Your Kit

Start with the basics and add to your collection as you encounter specific challenges. Every car is different, and you'll learn what products and tools work best for the situations you commonly face.

Quality matters more than quantity - investing in good tools and chemicals upfront will give you better results and save money in the long run compared to replacing cheap equipment.