Because the interior of your truck is a reflection of you as a driver, it is in your best interest to keep it organized. Maintaining a clean truck is one of the most important aspects of being a professional driver. It allows you to give people a favorable impression of the trucking industry no matter where you go.
It is nearly summertime and that calls for the perfect timing to clean out your truck. Although it may require some effort on your part, it will be well worth it. Having a clean space in which you can work and live speaks great lengths about personal organizational skills.
If you want to keep your truck clean but you’re not sure where to begin then hopefully this article will help guide you. Here are five simple yet effective tips for cleaning the interior of a semi-truck, so you can get your truck clean in no time.
Tip #1: Create Your Cleaning Schedule
Defining your cleaning schedule is perhaps one of the key components to ensuring your truck stays clean. After all, you do want to set a positive impression on others and also the trucking industry in itself. It might seem like a daunting task although it will be well worth the effort.
Some things to consider as part of your cleaning schedule:
- How often will you clean your truck? (i.e. once per week, twice per week)
- Which areas will you clean of your truck? (i.e. inside, outside, or both)
- Are there convenient locations to clean your truck? (typically this would be the truck stop although there might be some that are more convenient than others)
- How detailed will you get with your cleaning? (getting into smaller areas is key so consider doing so as well)
The frequency of how often you clean your truck will probably depend on usage. It’s safe to assume once per week would be the bare minimum. Twice per week might be necessary if excessive internal and external usage takes place. Cleaning the inside of your truck at least once per week is recommended. Keep it looking fresh and clean.
If you frequent a certain truck stop, perhaps consider it as your one-stop for truck cleaning. Interior and exterior. Attention to detail is important if you want to reflect on cleanliness.
Tip #2: Air Freshener
A fresh scent aroma is something that will be appealing to you and others. The average truck driver commutes 125,000 miles per year. That is a lot of mileage to withstand a bad smell in your semi-truck cabin. There are a variety of options when it comes to air fresheners. Having one on-hand can never hurt and will help maintain that fresh smell inside your cabin.
Some of the most common air fresheners you can choose from are:
- Spray bottle kind. This is the kind of air freshener that you have to carry and place in a safe place. Leaving it in your cabin though might not be such a great idea.
- The mirror kind. This is the type of air freshener that you hang over your rearview mirror or somewhere where it can hang from the top of the cabin.
- The vent kind. These can be easily clipped onto one of the air vents inside your cabin. That way when you have the air or heater on it will blow a fresh scent directly into your cabin.
Regardless of which kind of air freshener you choose, having one in your cabin is a must for a continued fresh smell. Most of the air fresheners last for 30 days. Some even longer.
Tip #3: Wipe and Swipe
Most truck drivers touch everything inside their semi-truck cabins. Everything from the wheel, dashboard, entertainment area, gear shifter, and everything in between. Imagine the amount of bacteria and dirt that stacks up over time. It’s actually quite disgusting if you try to paint a visual for yourself.
Head down to the local grocery store and pick up a pack of disinfectant wipes. You can also get a bigger bang for the buck at Sam’s Club or Costco even. There is usually a variety of disinfectant wipes to choose from. Having some on-hand, in your truck, in your cabin is something you will never go wrong with. It will help you keep the germs and bacteria away.
Tip #4: Trash Bags
It is easy to give in to the temptation to wait until the larger bag you are using to store your daily trash is completely full before emptying it. However, doing so can result in smells that are far from pleasant. Using small trash bags will encourage you to dispose of it on a daily basis. Smells can carry fast throughout the cabin and it’s important to dispose of your trash on a regular basis. Have some on hand in your truck cabin. You can pick some up at a local grocery store and even some that come in a small rol.
Tip #5: Expand Your Storage
Semi-truck cabins are actually quite small. When attempting to store additional items they can suddenly feel even smaller. Not to mention that if you are trying to stay more organized and declutter there is a stronger demand for additional storage. Storage bins are a great way to increase your storage space. It is also a fairly inexpensive way to do so.
Plastic storage containers have evolved significantly over the last 10-20 years. They are far more compact, durable, and accessible than they used to be. When people think of additional storage, they are only considering it for their home. Never really for their car or let alone for your semi-truck
Conclusion
Cleanliness is Godliness. Most trucker drivers commute well over 100,000 miles per year. That is an immense amount of miles and travel involved. Keeping the inside of your semi-truck clean can seem like a challenging task. It doesn’t have to be tough if you put a plan in place that will serve you over and over again. After all, you are the one who will be spending the majority of your time inside that cabin. Keep it fresh, clean, organized, and clutter-free.
Are you a truck driver looking for a company that will not treat you like a number? Do you want to be a part of a family instead of a company that treats you like a notch on the belt? We are always looking for self-motivated, driven, and energetic people to join our family. Reach out to us at (909) 746-0370 or by email at: recruiting@scetrans.com. You can also follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
