Wheel Appeal

It’s not just your spirits that could use a boost by winter’s end. How about a pick-me-up for that which always picks you up: the trusty family vehicle?

Do you find yourself reflexively muttering ‘sorry’ every time you pick up a friend, and swiping ineffectually at discarded juice boxes and toast crumbs on the passenger seat? Then listen up: after months’ worth of muddy boots, damp preschool art projects, wet dogs and backseat fries (even better, ketchup), your car needs your attention.

We’ve been on the alert for places that will spring clean your vehicle, inside and out, and we’ve found one great spot that’s particularly deserving of a visit—especially if you’re a mom with small kids.

Britewash is a family-owned and operated business on Hastings Street in Burnaby that provides a service to you and entertainment for your kids all in one fell swoop (okay, admit it, even we grown-ups still get kind of excited by that whole going through the carwash thing).

At Britewash, your car is parked at an outside bay while a team of cleaners descend upon it and pre-soak the exterior, tackle wheelwells, vacuum, beat the floor mats and more, depending on which package you’ve chosen (from the $24.95 ‘Express’ to the $36.95 ‘Luxury’). After that, you watch as it travels through the multi-windowed car wash tunnel and gets buffeted, foamed, waxed, sprayed and rinsed by the touchless technology. A quick hand-dry and it’s good as new—or at least a heck of a lot better than when you brought it in.

Total turnaround time? Usually only twenty minutes.

Now, while this is all great for car buffs, we really love all the family friendly features such as the comfortable viewing area with vending machines; the clean, private washroom that will hold a stroller, several toddlers and a mom all at once; the huge fish tank to keep kids entertained; friendly staff who will install wiper blades and washer fluid (we admit it, we don’t know how—especially not with the aforementioned toddlers underfoot); and the outdoor deck with hot dogs in the warmer months. It’s errand, entertainment and lunch all in one trip.

Oh, and if you happen to be the parent of one of those babies who needs an hour drive in the car to fall asleep at night, you’ll be happy to know the self-serve bays at Britewash are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. At least you can get the car clean while you’re on the sleep patrol.

Britewash
6123 Hastings Street (at Fell)
Burnaby
(604) 320-0048
www.britewash.com

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