Van Detailing for Minivans, Passenger and Work Vans

What does van detailing include?

A van detail covers the same basics as a car detail. Then it adds the parts that make vans hard to clean. Here is what our technicians focus on.

• Sliding door tracks: we brush and vacuum out the sand, crumbs and grit that make the door grind.
• Every seat row, including the third row, where snacks, gum and spills hide.
• Seat rails and fold-flat seat wells, which trap toys, coins, crayons and old fries.
• Car seat areas: the cushion and floor under child seats, where milk and juice soak in.
• Cargo floors: carpet, rubber liners or the bare wood floor of a work van.
• The headliner (the fabric ceiling), rear air vents and the grab handles small hands touch all day.
• Extra glass: side windows, rear door glass and mirrors, inside and out.
• Outside: wash, wheels and door jambs (the painted edges you see when a door is open).
• The roof: we clean it as far as we can safely reach. Tell us about roof racks when you book.

Minivan, passenger van or work van: which detail do you need?

Start with how the van looks today, not with the van type. A clean minivan and a trashed minivan need very different jobs.

A Mini Detail is a standard clean inside and out. A Full Detail is a deep interior clean plus an exterior detail. Deep Interior Only uses steam and enzyme cleaners, which break down food, milk and other messes.

Every van is quoted by size, number of rows and condition. The SUV prices below are for reference only. Send photos for an exact van quote.

What makes a van detail cost more?

Three things drive a van quote: size, number of rows and condition. Here is what adds time on the job.

Want ceramic coating (a hard, clear layer that protects paint) on a van? It starts at $799 on a sedan, and SUVs and trucks add $200. Vans are quoted by size.

After install, no washing for 10 to 14 days while it cures. Then use hand or touchless washes only, since a brush tunnel wash voids our coating warranty. A yearly Ceramic Maintenance Detail is also required.

You can keep the quote down: empty the van before we arrive.

• Size: a long wheelbase (a longer body between the wheels) or a high roof adds floor, glass and paint.
• Rows: a 12- or 15-seat passenger van has far more seats than a minivan.
• Condition: sand, pet hair, dried milk and sticky spills take extra passes.
• Smells: spoiled milk, vomit or pet accidents need steam, enzyme cleaners and odor treatment.
• Work dust: sawdust, drywall dust and paint flecks cling to cargo floors and seats.
• Roof grime: tree sap and bird droppings bake onto a roof nobody sees.

How does mobile detailing work for tall vans?

We come to you. That can be your home, your office, an apartment garage or a legal street spot. We bring our own water and power, so you don't need a hose or an outlet.

Tall vans need one extra check: space. Many older San Francisco garages have low ceilings. A high-roof van, like the Sprinter-style vans many people drive, often won't fit.

If it lives on the street or in a driveway, we work right there. We also need room to open the sliding doors and rear doors all the way.

You get a 1-hour arrival window and a text when we are on the way. We work 8 AM to 8 PM, seven days a week.

How does Bay Area life affect van cleaning?

Vans do a lot of hauling here. Kids, dogs, surfboards, groceries and tools all leave something behind.

• Beach sand: trips to Ocean Beach, Pacifica or Half Moon Bay pack sand into door tracks and seat rails.
• Salt air: vans parked by the water, in the Marina or Sausalito, get a salty film on paint and glass.
• Fog and marine layer: damp mornings mist up the glass. The mist shows every smudge and bit of haze on the inside.
• Rain season: muddy shoes soak floor mats, and damp carpet can start to smell musty.
• Street parking: tall vans often park under trees, so the roof collects sap and bird droppings.
• Hills: if your van parks on a steep street, tell us, so we can plan where to set up.

How can you clean a van interior yourself?

Van interior cleaning at home is safe if you go slow and use mild products. Work from the top down and from the back row forward. Keep the doors open for fresh air.

• Take everything out: car seats, mats, bins, toys and tools.
• Brush the sliding door tracks with a stiff paintbrush, then vacuum the loose grit.
• Don't soak the tracks. Power sliding doors have wiring and sensors close by.
• Vacuum each row. Use a crevice tool on seat rails and fold-flat seat wells.
• Blot small seat stains with a fabric cleaner. Test it on a hidden spot first.
• For car seat straps, follow the car seat manual. Most say mild soap and water only.
• Never use bleach on seat belts or car seat straps. It can weaken the webbing.
• Sweep up sawdust before you vacuum, so it doesn't clog the filter.
• Clean the glass last. Use two towels, one to clean and one to buff dry.
• Skip the roof unless you can reach it from a sturdy step stool on flat ground.
• Never mix cleaners, and wear gloves for vomit, urine or mold.

Can you detail a work van or a wheelchair van?

Yes. Work vans fit a regular van detail. We clean the cab, the cargo area and the outside.

Running several business vans? Our fleet washing guide compares drive-thru, in-house and on-site options.

Wheelchair-accessible vans have ramps, lift tracks and tie-down rails that trap grit. Tell us about them when you book, so we can plan around them. Lift motors and wiring should never be soaked.

Vans built out with beds, cabinets, solar or plumbing are a different job. We quote those through our RV detailing service. Text a few photos and we quote in under 10 minutes.

What should you send for an exact van quote?

A few details and photos help us quote the right time and price. Text them to (415) 483-5686 or use our quote form.

• Year, make and model.
• Standard roof or high roof.
• How many seats and rows it has.
• Photos of the worst row and the cargo area.
• Where it parks, and your garage height if it parks inside.
• Any smells, stains or pet hair.
• Roof racks, ladders, bike racks or a wheelchair lift.

When should you call a pro for van detailing?

A quick vacuum is easy. Some van messes are not. Call a pro when you see any of these.

• A smell comes back after you clean, like old milk, vomit or pet urine in the seat foam.
• Pet hair is woven into the carpet in every row.
• Stains cover more than one seat or the whole third row.
• You find mold after a rain leak. We clean surface mold, but a car with water damage may need a specialist.
• You are selling the van or turning in a lease.
• Your work van needs to look sharp for clients.

Frequently Asked Questions