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If you're a truck driver, then you know that keeping your truck clean is important. But do you know how to wash your truck properly? If not, you may be making some common mistakes that may actually be doing more harm than good.

Clean trucks make a huge difference to the impression people have of a company with a fleet of trucks. Clean vehicles demonstrate a company takes pride in its service, giving potential customers the impression that it’s a good company to do business with.

For some truck drivers working for these companies, it is part of their contract to wash and maintain the trucks they drive. This may sound easier than it is in reality, as there are a lot of factors to take into consideration. To avoid any issue with your employer for not doing a good enough job, it is important to know what you are doing. One option is to search for a "truck wash near me." But if you are intent on doing it for yourself, here are some of the key mistakes people make, and what you should be doing instead.

Mistake 1: Using the Wrong Type of Soap

A common mistake that people make when washing their trucks is to use dishwasher detergent or laundry soap. These types of soap have high acidity levels, which eventually damage the outer layer of paint on trucks and cars. Hand soaps and other common household soaps are also no good for the paint on trucks and cars. Designed to remove grease and stubborn cooking stains, the pH level is not good for truck and car paint.

This is why it is so important to use car or truck shampoo for cleaning a truck. These products are made with an oily lubricant in them, which is especially designed to help rather than damage the outer surface of a truck’s paint.

Mistake 2: Using Abrasive Cleaning Materials

Some people can be tempted to get an abrasive sponge to clean their truck. If it has mud and grime stuck on it, this can seem like a logical thing to do to help dislodge all the dirt. However, abrasive sponges can also damage the paint. Wash a truck with an abrasive sponge just a few times and you will already start to notice a difference in the paintwork, as it will gradually become duller. A particularly abrasive sponge can even chip and scratch paint work almost immediately.

Instead, it is important to use a soft sponge, or washing mitts if you find this easier. These should either be made of microfiber, or another soft material such as sheepskin. It is fine to use a wheel brush for the wheels, but make sure it is one that has been designed specifically for trucks or cars so it doesn’t cause scratches. You’ll also need a microfiber drying towel and a chamois cloth for the latter parts of the cleaning process.

Mistake 3: Washing in the Wrong Order

Washing different parts of the truck in the wrong order can prolong your truck washing process, and can result in an unclean truck at the end. The first thing to do is actually to clean the wheels. Using a specialist brush and car or truck shampoo, you can clean and lather the shampoo in all the crevices before you work on the rest of the truck. It is also a good idea to rinse off the whole truck with a hose before you start shampooing it. This will dislodge any easy bits of dirt, and working on a wet surface is easier than starting on a dry one.

In general, you should wash a truck from top to bottom, rather than from side to side. Start with the roof, ensure it is clean, and rinse it off a few times before moving on to the sides. This ensures that dirty drips from the top won’t impact the clean sides later in the cleaning process.

Mistake 4: Using Paper Towels

Some people do a great job of cleaning their trucks but then use paper towels at the end to dry it off. While it is a good idea to dry off the truck–as drying water spots can cause stains–it is important not to use paper towels. These paper towels can be abrasive and detrimental to the paintwork on the truck. Paper towels can also smear even the tiniest spots of dirt, which can undo all your hard work. Using microfiber towels instead keeps paintwork unscratched, and mops up all remaining water droplets and dirt specks efficiently.

Mistake 5: Not Using Wax

Many people think a truck washing process is complete once a truck has been shampooed, rinsed, and dried. However, wax is very important to preserve the paintwork. Especially for trucks that travel long distances and are exposed to more external influences, wax can make a big difference. It is important to use wax that has been specifically designed for trucks, and it should be reapplied every few weeks.