Why Your Car Needs a Deep Clean Every 6 Months (The Damage You Can’t See)

By Platform Auto Detailing — Fylde Coast Vehicle Appearance Specialists

Most people think a car only needs a deep clean when it “looks” dirty.

The reality is completely different. Dirt, bacteria and contaminants build up long before you can see them — especially with Fylde Coast weather, salted roads, beach air and constant moisture.

A Deep Clean every 6 months isn’t about making a car look fresh.

It’s about protecting the surfaces you can’t see and preventing the long-term damage most drivers only notice when it’s too late.

Here’s exactly why the 6-month rule matters.

1. Winter Roads Cause Hidden Exterior Damage

Even if a car looks clean from a distance, the paintwork isn’t.

The biggest culprits:

• Road salt

• Traffic film

• Tar spots

• Iron fallout

• Moisture and grit

These bond to the paint, wheels and plastics — and no basic wash can remove them. Over time they cause:

• Clear coat dulling

• Corrosion

• Embedded contamination

• A rough, gritty surface

A Deep Clean safely removes this build-up and resets the paint back to a clean base.

2. Interior Bacteria Builds Up Fast

Inside the cabin, the damage might not be visible — but it’s definitely there.

In 6 months, the average car interior contains:

• Skin oils

• Food bacteria

• Damp smells

• Pet hair

• Dust mites

• Mould spores (especially in winter)

A Deep Clean covers the areas quick valets don’t go near:

• Seat extraction

• Steam cleaning

• Fabric sanitisation

• Tight crevices

• Air vents

• Plastics and switches

It restores the interior to a fresh, healthy standard.

3. Cheap Hand Car Washes Make It Worse

Most hand car washes cause:

• Swirl marks

• Chemical etching

• Streaks and staining

• Residue build-up

• Clear coat wear

They wash hundreds of cars a day using the same dirty mitts and buckets.

A proper deep clean actually repairs the damage caused over months of poor washing techniques.

4. Your Car Loses 20–30% Gloss Over Time

Paint gradually dulls without you noticing.

Every 6 months you should reset the finish with:

• Full exterior decontamination

• Gentle polishing (if needed)

• Protection (spray sealant or ceramic)

This stops the car from slowly looking older, duller and flat.

5. Prevents Long-Term Paint & Interior Wear

Skipping deep cleans leads to:

• Permanent staining on seats

• Etched bird droppings

• Oxidation

• Embedded tar

• Faded trim

• Swirled paint

• Oily, shiny steering wheels

A Deep Clean removes all of this before it becomes permanent.

6. Perfect Maintenance Routine

For most drivers, a 6-month interval is ideal:

• Winter → Summer reset

• Summer → Winter reset

If the car lives near the coast, carries kids or dogs, or is driven daily, every 3–4 months is even better.

What’s Included in Our Deep Clean Valet

Our Deep Clean is a full restoration-style service covering:

Exterior

• Full pre-wash

• Snow foam

• Contact wash

• Tar & fallout removal

• Deep wheel & arch cleaning

• Gloss enhancement

• 12-month ceramic spray sealant upgrade option

Interior

• Full hoover

• Steam cleaning

• Extraction where required

• Plastics cleaned & dressed

• Deep crevice work

• Glass & finishing touches

Time: 4-6hours

Price: £120–£180 depending on size/condition.

Ideal for daily drivers, family cars, work vehicles and cars that haven’t had a proper reset in months.

When to Book Your Next Deep Clean

If it’s been:

• 3–6 months since your last detail

• You use cheap hand car washes

• You haven’t had a decon in ages

• Your interior smells or feels damp

• Your paint feels rough

• Your glass is smeary even after cleaning

…it’s time for a Deep Clean.

Book Your Deep Clean Valet

Give your car a full reset and protect it properly.

Book online here:

Online Booking

Or message us on Facebook/Instagram to secure a slot.