Winter is brutal on interiors. Mud from boots, damp from wet coats, condensation, crumbs, and months of general life all accumulate. You probably don't see half of it — but your passengers do.
A good APC is one of the most versatile products in any detailer's kit. Dilute heavily for sensitive surfaces like Alcantara, or use neat on stubborn carpet stains. One product, a dozen jobs.
Cold temperatures and constant use dry leather out faster than most people realise. Left untreated, it cracks — and cracks are expensive to repair.
Don't skip the cleaning step. Conditioning dirty leather just seals the dirt in. Clean first, condition second — always.
Glass care is arguably the most underrated job in detailing — yet it has a massive impact on driving. Smeared glass causes terrible glare in low winter sun, makes wipers streak, and makes your interior feel grubby however clean everything else is.
Do glass last. Overspray from other products settles on glass throughout the detail — clean it at the end for a genuinely streak-free result.
Here's one most people overlook: rubber door seals, window seals, and plastic trim take an absolute battering in winter. Cold temperatures make rubber brittle, moisture accelerates perishing, and untreated plastic fades. A bit of targeted protection now prevents expensive replacements later.
Rubber seals are often the first thing to perish on an older car, and replacements are expensive. A bit of maintenance now genuinely extends their lifespan by years — and healthy seals mean no water leaks, wind noise, or failed MOTs down the line.
Spring always catches people out. The sun comes out one Saturday morning and suddenly you want to do the full detail — and you've run out of shampoo, your wash mitt is tatty, and you can't find the clay bar.
February is the best time to audit your kit and order what you need. No pressure, no rush, just making sure you're ready when the weather finally turns.