Conversion vans are a summer vacation’s best companion. Whether it be for a fishing trip with the guys, Disneyland with the kids, or a romantic lake getaway with your spouse, your conversion van can evolve into any vehicle you need to make your summer trip more memorable.
But maintaining your conversion van after all of these exciting trips can take some serious work. So, why not work smarter, not harder, with these tips to keep your van clean year-round?
Top tips to keep your van clean with minimal effort
10. Don’t eat in your van
If you can avoid eating in your van, you will also avoid crumbs, wrappers, stains, cartons and the inevitable “mystery” smell that usually follows after a french fry falls between the seats.
9. Wax it occasionally
Buying some wax at O’Reillys or any other auto maintenance store and applying it after a good wash will go a long way. Waxing your car occasionally will give it a nice shine and make it easier to wash your car next time.
8. Knock your shoes before hopping in
If the weather is snowy or rainy, it’s pretty difficult to keep your car from getting dirty on the inside. But you can help minimize the mess by knocking your shoes or boots off before getting in your car. You would be amazed by how taking this simple step can make a big difference over time.
7. Be aware of the “lost zone”
If you have little ones with car seats, you’re probably already familiar with the “lost zone.” It’s that space between the car seat and the van seat where snacks, toys, crumbs, and just about everything else seem to disappear.
Make it a habit to check and clear out this area whenever you unbuckle your child. Staying on top of it keeps your van cleaner overall and helps avoid any unpleasant surprises later.
6. Be quick to clean up messes
If you let a spill or stain sit for too long, it will eventually become part of your car’s ambiance. Blood, soda, dirt and mud can leave a lasting impression literally on your car’s interior.
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5. Keep your van in the garage
You may not have a garage available, but if you can find an enclosed space, your cleaning tasks will be cut in half. Mother Nature is not considering the fact that you took your van to the car wash yesterday.
4. Keep a trash bag in your van
If you’re constantly commuting to work in traffic, driving kids to and from school or just spending a lot of time in your van in general, it’s not a bad idea to keep a small trash can or trash bag around. At the end of the day, when you’re too tired to pick up what’s been left behind in the car, it’s nice to have somewhere to consolidate that mess to be taken out later.
3. When you pump gas, do a quick clean
If you take the 5 minutes spent waiting for your gas tank to fill up to do a quick pick-up around the front and back seats of your car, you can maintain a certain level of cleanliness.
2. Make washing part of your routine
If you can take some time Sunday afternoon to throw a bucket of soapy water and clean water over your chariot, you have a routine of keeping your exterior somewhat tidy.
1. Keep it clean so it stays clean
If your car is constantly clean, you will be more inclined to maintain it. Dirty laundry analogy: If you keep one pair of dirty socks on the floor, it is much easier to add a second pair, then the third pair, than a whole mess.
Interested in purchasing a new or used conversion van or camper van for your next road trip or summer adventure? Visit Classic Vans to see why we are the official road trip experts of summer!
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