Contributor
When I started Cleen Detailing, my first customer was my Dad.
He'd never paid to have his car detailed before — let alone by a company that comes to your home.
That surprised me, because my Dad is the kind of guy who:
- Rarely buys anything "expensive" for himself
- Hunts for deals on Facebook Marketplace
- Is a true do-it-yourselfer
- Takes enormous pride in his black 2010 Lexus (which I have no doubt will hit 400,000 km one day)
He's also been an emergency physician in Ottawa for 35+ years — someone who has devoted his whole life to caring for others: his patients, his family, his friends.
So when he booked his first detail with Cleen, I assumed he did it out of love — to support his son's new business.
Boy, was I wrong
The look on his face when he came out to see the car was priceless. He couldn't believe the years of salt, grime, and dirt we pulled out of that Lexus.
I still have the before & after:
Since that day, my Dad has been our #1 customer
He gets his interior + exterior detail every spring and fall, and recently added our 1-Step Buff & Polish with 5-Year Protective Coating to bring the gloss back and shield the paint from the elements.
(True story: my uncle Mark saw it afterward and genuinely thought Dad had bought a new Lexus — he booked a coating for his own car the very next week.)
Why a clean car matters more than it sounds
I'm proud that Cleen can give my Dad a little extra peace and comfort on his daily drive to and from the hospital.
We're not in the business of saving lives. But we are in the business of bringing a little comfort and joy to the people who are too busy looking after everyone else to look after themselves.
So to all the Dads who take care of everyone before themselves — it's your turn for a treat.
Happy Father's Day, Dad. This one's for you.
— Matt, founder of Cleen Detailing
P.S. Need a gift for a special someone?
Until midnight Sunday, June 21, lock in $50 of savings by either:
- Booking online with code DAD and schedule any Interior + Exterior combination for a future date. No gift card needed.
- Or buy a gift card. Grab one before June 21 and use code DAD whenever you book later — perfect for gifting, or to lock in your own savings.
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