Mobile valeting checklist: van loadout and site set up
By Sam W - SoapX Ltd.
A mobile valeter cannot pop back to the unit for a forgotten hose fitting. This free checklist covers the night before, setting up on someone else's driveway, and leaving the site cleaner than you found it.
Free download // Checklist 05
Van Loadout & Site Set Up checklist. Two A4 pages with a notes column for each step.
What is on the mobile valeting checklist
| Section | What you tick off |
|---|---|
| Night before | Water tank filled, pump, generator or battery pack charged and fuelled, chemicals checked and topped up, clean microfibre counted and bagged, hoses, reels, lances and fittings checked, PPE packed, bookings confirmed and route planned |
| On arrival | Introduce yourself and agree the job, walk round and intake sheet completed, permission for water or power, safe working area set up, check where your runoff goes, check for overhead hazards and nearby cars |
| Leaving site | Handover and aftercare explained, driveway rinsed of foam and product, all kit, rubbish and tape removed, hoses coiled and secured |
Every row has a notes column for your own reminders. It works with whatever kit you carry.
Water: know how much you need
Running dry halfway through the last job of the day is avoidable. Work out the litres for your bookings before you fill the tank. The valeting water tank calculator does the sum for you.
Runoff on someone else's property
Surface water drains in many streets run straight to a stream or river, not to a treatment works. Check local rules, contain runoff where you need to and keep chemical use sensible. Our guide on washing without polluting drains explains the difference between foul and surface water drains, and the run off facts and figures give the background.
The small things customers remember
- Hoses and cables routed away from paths, so nobody trips.
- No foam or slippery residue left on the driveway or steps.
- Every piece of tape, packaging and rubbish taken away.
How to get the most from it
- Keep a laminated copy in the van door.
- Run the night before list every evening, not just before big days.
- Use it with the job card, which comes earlier in this series.
- Write your own regular extras into the notes column.
Quick answers
How much water does a mobile valeter need per car?
It depends on the method and the car. Work it out from your own jobs and add a margin. The valeting water tank calculator helps.
Can I use a customer's water and power?
Only with their permission, and agree it when booking. Many valeters carry their own so they never need to ask.
Where should car wash water go on a driveway?
Ideally not into a surface water drain. Check local rules and contain or direct runoff to a suitable area where needed.
Kit for this job
- Hose Quick Connect Set with Spray Nozzle
- Pump Pressure Sprayer 1.5L
- Bottle Triggers, Caps and Taps
- Chemical Resistant Trigger Bottle 500ml
- Pit Crew Kit
Prefer one download? Get all 14 SoapX checklists in one PDF. They are free to print and share. Please do not resell them.
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