Cleaning your commercial vehicles regularly is essential to protect your fleet, meet compliance standards, and keep your brand looking sharp on the road. But even with the best intentions, many fleet operators and drivers make small mistakes with their vehicle cleaning products that can lead to bigger problems—wasted money, damaged paintwork, and poor results.
The good news? They’re easy to fix once you know what to look out for.
At LPW, we supply professional cleaning products designed specifically for HGVs, trucks, and fleet vehicles. We’ve worked with operators across the UK and have seen firsthand how using the right product the wrong way can cause more harm than good.
Here are 7 of the most common cleaning product mistakes—and how to avoid them to keep your trucks and fleet in top condition.
1. Using General Household or Car Cleaning Products
The mistake:
Many operators turn to off-the-shelf car shampoos or even household cleaners to save money. These products might work for personal vehicles, but they simply aren’t powerful enough to tackle the industrial dirt, diesel fumes, and road grime that builds up on commercial fleets.
The fix:
Use a commercial-grade Traffic Film Remover (TFR) like LPW Ultra Wash or Ultra Wash Plus. These products are specifically formulated to remove heavy-duty soiling without damaging paintwork or decals. Plus, they’re caustic- and solvent-free, making them safe and effective for regular use.
2. Not Diluting Concentrated Cleaning Products Correctly
The mistake:
Using concentrated products without proper dilution wastes product and can leave streaks or damage the vehicle’s finish. It’s also a common cause of residue buildup on panels and windows.
The fix:
Always follow dilution instructions. For example, our Ultra Wash Plus is highly concentrated and should be diluted depending on soiling levels and water hardness. Using a 200L syphon hand pump for drum containers or a 1000L IBC gravity feed dispensing kit with the bottom outlet ensures your TFR or screenwash is dispensed safely and consistently—helping you achieve the correct dilution every time.
3. Letting Cleaning Products Dry on the Vehicle
The mistake:
Spraying TFR or other cleaners on a vehicle and leaving it to dry—especially on a hot day—can lead to streaks, residue, and in some cases, surface staining.
The fix:
Apply TFR in shaded areas where possible and never allow it to dry on the surface. After application, allow 2–5 minutes of dwell time, then rinse thoroughly with an industrial pressure washer like those available from LPW Fleetcare.
4. Ignoring Cab Interior Cleaning
The mistake:
While the exterior often gets most of the attention, neglecting the cab interior can result in unpleasant working conditions, poor hygiene, and a build-up of bacteria—especially in shared or long-haul vehicles.
The fix:
Use proper interior cleaning products like LPW Fleetcare’s Driver Cab Cleaning Kit, which includes sanitising spray, dashboard cleaner, glass cleaner, and air freshener. Our anti-viral cleaning sprays and microfibre cloths help keep the cab clean, safe, and comfortable.
5. Using Inadequate Screenwash in Cold Weather
The mistake:
Not switching to a more powerful screenwash in winter can result in frozen washer systems, poor visibility, and even MOT failure due to a lack of screen cleaning ability.
The fix:
Use a screenwash designed for your operating environment. Our Extreme Screenwash Concentrate works in temperatures down to -15°C, providing reliable windscreen cleaning even in harsh winter weather. Available in 20L, 200L, and 1000L IBCs for bulk supply.
6. Using Pressure Washers That Aren’t Built for Fleet Cleaning
The mistake:
Using low-powered or domestic-grade pressure washers may not provide the pressure or durability needed for frequent fleet washing. They often wear out quickly and underperform when it matters.
The fix:
Invest in a professional-grade solution like our LPW 400 Series Pressure Washers, which are built for tough commercial environments. Choose from hot or cold, mobile or wall-mounted units with high-pressure chemical systems and optional contactless technology for cost tracking and automation. Explore our Industrial Pressure Washers range.
7. Skipping Pre-Rinsing and Dwell Time
The mistake:
Some operators spray TFR directly onto a dry, heavily soiled surface or rinse too soon without letting the cleaner break down the grime. This reduces effectiveness and leads to re-cleaning.
The fix:
Always pre-rinse the vehicle to remove loose dirt, then apply TFR and allow it to dwell for a few minutes before rinsing. This ensures the cleaning agents have time to penetrate the traffic film, making the cleaning process far more efficient.
Get the Most Out of Your Fleet Cleaning Products
Using the right products is only part of the equation—knowing how to use them properly makes all the difference. From correct dilution and dwell time to investing in professional-grade equipment, avoiding these common mistakes will help your fleet stay cleaner, look better, and last longer.
At LPW Fleetcare, we offer a wide range of TFRs, screenwash, industrial pressure washers, and interior cleaning products, all designed specifically for commercial fleets and HGV operators. We also provide bulk supply options, dispensing kits, and rental packages for full fleetcare management.
Explore our full range of commercial vehicle cleaning products here:
