Cleaning a bus may seem like a lot of work. However, if you look at it as a series of small steps, you will realize that it is really just like a combination of cleaning a room and cleaning a car, both of which you probably have experienced. The only difference is the scale.
Start with the inside of the bus, working from the top down. If you wash the outside first, you will track all sorts of water and mud into the bus as you're trying to clean it.
Go through the bus and pick up any large trash that may have been left behind by riders. It's a good idea to wear a pair of heavy rubber gloves for this task: You can never be too careful.
Scrape off any gum or other gunked-on debris with a razor blade. Don't worry about collecting it, just sweep it up later.
Wash the interior windows with a spray window cleaner and paper towels--rags will leave little bits of fluff behind. If there is grime that does not want to come loose, soak it with the cleaner, work on another area and come back after a few minutes.
Clean the seats. If they are upholstered, use the upright attachment on a vacuum cleaner. If they are vinyl or solid plastic, use a general surface cleaner and a rag. Be sure to wipe down the backs and sides of the seats as well.
Clean any walls, poles and other surfaces with the surface cleaner and rag. Swap out dirty rags for clean ones as needed.
Sweep out the entire bus floor, including any bits of gunk and debris that have been created in the cleaning process. Sweep the dirt into a dustpan and throw it away, don't just sweep it out the door--if a police officer sees you, you may be fined for littering.
Mix the floor cleaner with water in the mop bucket, according to its instructions.
Mop the floor of the bus, starting at the back and working your way forward. Finish with the area by the front door as you exit the bus. The floor will dry as you clean the exterior.
Park the bus near a water hose. In this case, the higher the pressure the better. If you can find a spot that also is shaded, your job will be much more pleasant.
Mix a batch of carwash soap to water in the bucket. The exact ratio of soap to water will be on the soap's label. It will take several batches to clean an entire bus, so don't be afraid to dump it and make more as it gets dirty. Don't be tempted to just use dish soap, it's not designed for this kind of work.
Spray the entire bus, including the roof, to wet it and wash off any leaves or other debris.
Lather soap in a sponge, mitt, brush or rag and scrub the roof clean, using a stepladder to get the required height.
Spray off the bus roof.
Select a side of the bus and clean it the same way that you cleaned the roof, first by spraying it with water then scrubbing it clean. Always work from the top down so that you don't drip dirt and water over areas you've already cleaned. Spray the area with more water when it's done to rinse off the soap and dirt.
Clean the other three sides of the bus following the same steps.
Scrub the wheel wells and tires with a brush. If desired, use a tire treatment to revitalize the rubber.
