The short answer
In the Seattle area, most daily-driven cars need a proper exterior wash every 2 to 4 weeks through the wet season and a full interior-and-exterior detail every 4 to 6 months. Cars with kids, dogs or long commutes need the interior done more often. Cars parked near Puget Sound or under evergreens should be washed sooner, before salt and sap have time to sit on the paint.
What wears Seattle-area cars down
- Rain and road spray: months of wet roads coat the lower panels and wheels in grime
- Salt air near the water: in Edmonds, Mukilteo, Richmond Beach and the ferry lines, salt does its damage when it sits
- Tree sap, needles and pollen: under the evergreens of Mill Creek, Seaview or Innis Arden, sap bakes on in summer
- Wet interiors: wet shoes and umbrellas keep carpets damp, which leads to smells and, eventually, mold
A simple schedule
- Exterior wash: every 2 to 4 weeks, more often near the water or under trees
- Interior vacuum and wipe-down: every 2 to 4 weeks with kids or pets, monthly otherwise
- Full detail (deep interior, shampoo where needed, leather, jambs): every 4 to 6 months
- Before selling: a full detail a day or two before your listing photos
When a membership makes more sense
If you follow that schedule, you're booking something almost every month. That's what the Scrub Bros Shine Club is for: $199 a month for unlimited Club visits on one car, at your home or office. Book your next visit once the last one is done. Start with a Signature Detail ($299 for members) if the car needs a full reset first.
If you'd rather book as needed, a Signature Detail is $349, and $299 for your first with code FIRST299.
Common questions
Is it bad to wash your car in the rain?
No. Rain doesn't clean off road film, salt or sap, so a wash in wet weather still protects the paint. We work in most conditions and reschedule only for heavy rain, snow or unsafe weather.
How often should I clean my car's interior?
A quick vacuum and wipe-down every 2 to 4 weeks with kids or pets, and a deep clean with shampoo where needed every 4 to 6 months.
Can a detailer come to my office?
Yes. We detail in office lots, apartment garages and condo guest spots as long as there's room to open the doors and the lot allows it.
We come to you
Mobile detailing in Edmonds, Lynnwood, Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo, Mill Creek, Bothell and Kirkland.