You arrive at a customer's house to move a cream sofa, and the truck bed still has oil stains from yesterday's engine part, a bag of cement dust in the corner and a puddle where the rain got in overnight. The customer looks at the sofa, then at your truck, then at you. Most will not say anything. Many will ask for a different driver.
A clean, dry truck bed is one of the cheapest ways to look reliable. It also protects you from damage claims.
What customers see first
Before they read your offer details, customers see the truck. A household load is made of things people paid for and care about: a mattress, a wardrobe with a mirror door, a fridge, a television. They are about to hand those things to a stranger.
A truck that looks cared for tells them you will take care of their belongings. A truck that looks abandoned tells them the opposite, even if you are the best driver in town.
The ten-minute routine before a household job
Do this the evening before, or at the start of the morning:
- Sweep the bed, including the corners and the gaps near the tailgate.
- Remove loose stones, sand, screws, nails and any bits of metal. A single nail can tear a mattress.
- Wash off oil, fuel and grease. Use soap and water where you can, and dry the floor afterwards.
- Check the sides and the tailgate for sharp edges, rust flakes and loose bolts.
- Look at the roof or canopy if you have one. A leak is easy to spot on a dry day and hard to find in the rain.
- Pack your straps, ropes, blankets and tarpaulin in an order you can reach quickly.
If the previous job was cement, sacks of grain, building materials or anything that leaves a residue, add a wet wash and let it dry fully before the next household load.
Dust, mud and the rainy season
In the rains, the bed stays wet and muddy even after the weather clears. Mud on the floor transfers to the bottom of every box and every piece of furniture. In the dry season, harmattan dust gets into everything. Carry a broom, a cloth and a plastic sheet. A clean sheet on the floor gives the customer's goods a dry base even when the truck is not perfect.
Our guide on harmattan moves explains how dust affects wooden furniture, and our guide to rainy season moves in Lagos covers the wet side.
Smell is part of cleanliness
Fuel, fish, livestock or fertiliser leave a smell that stays in the wood and in the canopy. A sofa that arrives smelling of the last load is a complaint waiting to happen. Air the bed in the sun, wash it and, if you can, avoid mixing food or chemical jobs with a household job on the same day.
If you must do both in one day, do the household load first.
Protect the goods, not just the floor
A clean bed is the base. On top of it, you still need padding and straps. Read padding and protecting furniture on the truck and securing a load with straps, ropes and tarpaulins to finish the job properly.
Carry spare blankets and a roll of stretch film. If a customer's mattress has no cover, wrap it before it goes in.
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Keep the cab tidy too
The customer may sit in the cab for part of the trip, or you may talk to them through the window at the pickup. Clear the dashboard, remove rubbish and keep the seat clean. It costs nothing, and it shows you take the job seriously.
Photograph the bed before loading
A quick photo of the empty, clean bed before the first item goes in is useful if there is ever a disagreement. It pairs well with the habit in our guide to photographing the load at pickup and drop-off.
Make it part of your week
Set a fixed time, perhaps Sunday evening, to wash the truck and check the bed. A weekly wash takes much less time than a deep clean after a bad month. It also helps you spot rust, leaks and loose parts before they cause a breakdown. For the mechanical side, see your morning walk-round.
How this helps on Sphere
On Sphere, customers see the vehicle and choose between the offers they receive. A driver whose truck is clean and ready is easier to say yes to, especially for whole-house moves where the customer is trusting you with everything they own. If you are not yet on the platform, you can apply as a driver and submit your licence, ID and vehicle details for approval. Drivers keep 90% of each job.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I clean the truck bed?
Sweep it before every household job and give it a proper wash at least once a week. After a dirty load such as cement or produce, wash it before the next customer.
What if it rains during the move?
Keep a tarpaulin and a clean plastic sheet ready. Cover the load before it leaves the doorway, and keep the floor dry as far as you can.
Can I carry a dirty load and a household load on the same day?
Yes, but do the household load first. If that is not possible, wash and dry the bed fully in between.
Is a clean cab really important?
It matters because customers notice it. A tidy cab shows you take care of the whole job.
Should I tell customers about the state of my truck?
Be honest. If your bed has a known fault such as a rough spot or a leak, say so and protect the goods with covers before you accept the job.
Start driving
Turn your truck or van into steady income
Accept move requests in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan on your own schedule. Free to join, and you keep 90% of every job.
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