Ah, summer holidays. Six glorious weeks of day trips, ice creams, sandcastles, and memories made. But while the kids had the time of their lives, your poor car has been quietly suffering.
Now September is here, the school run is back and suddenly you realise your once-respectable vehicle looks (and smells) like it survived a mini-festival. If your car could talk, it would probably be begging for a spa day.
Here are five classic things parents always find in their car after summer and why it’s best not to leave them there. (Don’t worry, we’ll also share a quick home tip for each plus the easy way to get it all sorted in one go.)
1. Sweet Wrappers 🍬
Somewhere between the motorway service station bribes and “just one more treat” moments, a mountain of sweet wrappers has migrated under the seats.
Why it’s bad: Apart from looking messy, wrappers often hide sticky surprises melted chocolate, gooey sweets, and crumbs that attract bacteria (and the odd uninvited insect).
At-home tip: Keep a small car bin or even an empty cereal box handy for wrappers. A quick weekly clear-out works wonders.
The pro fix: Our Back-to-School Valet includes a full interior clean we’ll find and remove every last wrapper, crumb, and chocolate smudge so your car feels like new.
2. Sunscreen Stains 🧴
A hero in the park, a villain in your car. Those greasy handprints on the seats, door handles, and windows? Classic sunscreen.
Why it’s bad: Sunscreen leaves oily stains that can be tough to shift, and it seeps into upholstery over time, leaving a shiny, grimy look.
At-home tip: Dab with a mild dish soap and warm water mixture. Don’t scrub too hard or you’ll spread the stain.
The pro fix: Our deep-clean treatments are designed to lift stubborn oils and leave fabrics fresh, without damaging the upholstery.
3. Melted Crayons 🖍️
The kids’ entertainment pack seemed like a great idea… until you discovered a waxy rainbow fused to your seat fabric.
Why it’s bad: Crayon wax melts quickly in the summer sun and bonds to surfaces like glue. Left unchecked, it can permanently stain fabric and plastics.
At-home tip: Place a piece of kitchen roll over the wax and run a warm (not hot) hairdryer over it to lift the worst of it.
The pro fix: Our specialists know exactly how to treat wax without spreading it further. We’ll make sure your seats are back to their rightful, crayon-free state.
4. Juice Box Spills 🧃
Kids + cartons + car bumps = sticky disaster. The dreaded juice box spill can turn even the freshest car into a sticky trap.
Why it’s bad: Spilled juice seeps into carpets and fabrics, leaving sugar behind. Over time, that sugar ferments, causing unpleasant smells and even mould.
At-home tip: Blot immediately with paper towels, then rinse with warm water and baking soda. Avoid rubbing it just pushes the liquid deeper.
The pro fix: With our interior shampooing, we don’t just mask the odour we lift the sugar and bacteria from the fibres so the smell doesn’t come back.
5. Sand 🏖️
The ultimate summer souvenir. Sand travels home from every beach trip and somehow manages to multiply once inside your car.
Why it’s bad: Sand acts like sandpaper on carpets and upholstery, wearing fibres down. It also finds its way into vents, creating a permanent gritty feel.
At-home tip: Use a stiff brush before hoovering it loosens the grains so your vacuum can actually pick them up.
The pro fix: Our Back-to-School Valet includes professional-grade extraction tools that pull sand (and dirt) from even the deepest fibres.
Less Mess = Less Stress
The truth is, you’ve got enough on your plate with back-to-school uniforms, after-school clubs, and packed lunches. Why add “deep-clean the car” to the list?
With our Back-to-School Valet, you can give your car the reset it deserves. We’ll take care of the sticky, sandy chaos so you can get back to the school run in a car that looks, smells, and feels fresh.
🎉 Special Offer: 20% Off This September
Book your Back-to-School Valet today and enjoy a fresh start for you, the kids and your car. But be quick, this limited-time offer ends soon.
👉 Book your valet now at rinseworks.co.uk/booking
Because let’s be honest: after six weeks of summer chaos, your car deserves an A+ fresh start.