A clean car interior not only looks great, but it can also extend the life of the leather, vinyl, plastic, and other components with proper maintenance. And it makes you feel good when you drive a clean car.
Detailing by professionals can cost you hundreds of dollars, however doing it yourself can be relatively easy and inexpensive.
With the right interior car cleaner, you can get rid of stains or bad smells, and protect the entire interior at the same time. If you are wondering what are the best products, here are our top picks for cleaning your car´s interior at home.
Best Car Interior Cleaners (2022) – First Look
Best Overall: CarGuys Super Cleaner at Amazon, “The Super Cleaner uses a high-tech approach to do the job, is safe, non-toxic and doesn’t need to be rinsed with water.”
Best Universal Protectant: 303 UV Protectant Spray at Amazon, “The number one choice for many car lovers as universal protection for a multitude of materials.”
Best Value: Chemical Guys InnerClean Detailer at Amazon, “It’s easy to use, cleans quickly, and is able to wipe away dirt, dust, and body oils from interior surfaces.”
Best For Cleaning Plastics And Vinyl: Carfidant Ultimate Car Cleaner at Amazon, “Described as liquid gold by satisfied customers, it can be safely used to clean leather seats, cloth and fabric seats, carpets and mats, upholstery, dashboards, vinyl, and plastic.”
Best For Built-in Screens: Chemical Guys Total Interior Cleaner at Amazon, “It´s designed to clean any hard, soft, clear or shiny surface of a car which makes it ideal for cleaning windshields, dashboard, leather seats or upholstery.”
Best Overall: CarGuys Super Cleaner
Car Guys Super Cleaner is a favorite all-rounder of many car lovers. It’s ideal for cleaning almost every surface in your car’s interior. The Super Cleaner is marketed for professional detailers and can be used for cars, boats, and even your home.
The CarGuys Super Cleaner uses a high-tech approach to do the job, is safe, non-toxic, and doesn’t need to be rinsed with water. While the all-purpose cleaner can also handle cleaning furniture such as sofa, carpet, and outdoor accessories like a spa cover or sunbrella, you need to avoid glass or instrument panels.
One last thing! The company is so sure that their CarGuys Super Cleaner is one of the best all-around multipurpose cleaners on the market, so if for any reason, you will not be satisfied with its cleaning effect, they will provide a full refund.
Best Universal Protectant: 303 UV Protectant Spray
Firstly, the 303 Aerospace UV Protectant is not a cleaner. It can´t remove stains or stubborn dirt from your car´s interior. On the other hand, this product is specially designed to restore the look of rubber, leather, vinyl, and fiberglass.
Originally engineered for aerospace and aviation applications, 303 Aerospace Protectant is the number one choice for many car lovers. It provides fantastic protection for a multitude of materials. What´s more, the product has a non-toxic and environmentally friendly formula – no petroleum distillates, silicones, ammonia, or alcohol.
Often rated as one of the best car interior protecting products on the market, 303 UV Protectant Spray should be used on your vehicle’s dashboard every 30-45 days to give you the most possible protection from the sun’s UV rays, preventing fading and cracking over time. You should use the protectant after you have cleaned the area, and then wipe the area with a dry, clean microfiber towel.
Best Value: Chemical Guys InnerClean Quick Detailer
If you are looking for a combination of cleaner and protectant then InnerClean from Chemical Guys is for you. It’s easy to use, cleans quickly, and is able to wipe away dirt, dust, and body oils from interior surfaces restore a crisp OEM sheen and protect against harmful UV solar rays.
While you can safely clean everything from carpet to upholstery, arm rests, cup holders dashboard, steering wheels, and even navigation screens, it usually leaves behind a strong and fruity pineapple scent. Note: Do not spill the InnerClean inside your car, because it tends to leave yellow stains.
Best For Cleaning Plastics And Vinyl: Carfidant Ultimate Car Interior Cleaner
Described as liquid gold by satisfied customers, Carfidant Ultimate Cleaner can be safely used to clean leather seats, cloth and fabric seats, carpets and mats, upholstery, dashboards, vinyl, and plastic. Just spray a little bit of the product on the area, and wipe it off with the microfiber towel.
What smell does it leave behind? Don’t worry, the Ultimate Cleaner is designed to clean without any crazy smells or residues. In addition to that, the cleaner is completely clearcoat safe so you can use it on your painted surfaces as well.
The Carfidant Ultimate Car Interior Cleaner is perfect to be used on plastic or vinyl surfaces and works really well both in the car and around the house.
Best For Built-in Screens: Chemical Guys Total Interior Cleaner & Protectant
This is another great value product from Chemical Guys that helps you to quickly clean the interior of your car. It´s designed to clean any hard, soft, clear or shiny surface of a car which makes it ideal for cleaning windshields, dashboard, leather seats, or upholstery. The unique formula is also blended with UV blockers that help shield interior car parts from harsh sunlight.
It should effectively remove light dirt, stains, spills, fingerprints, and grime without leaving behind a greasy or oily feel while acting as a protectant against cracking and fading on dashboard plastics, cup holders, center consoles, and sun visors. If you are looking for a product that can clean, protect and disinfect almost any surface in your car then the Chemical Guys Total Interior Cleaner should be in your shopping cart.
Interior Car Cleaners Buying Guide
Cleaning the interior of your car isn’t difficult, but it can be time-consuming. While many car owners clean their vehicles almost every week, few do the interior at the same time. However, you’ve got to clean out the inside of your car, not only for a better look, but it can also extend the life of the leather, vinyl, plastic, and other components.
Which Car Interior Products And Tools To Use For Cleaning
- Vacuum cleaner
- Car interior cleaning products
- Polishing materials
- Brushes and applicators
Top Car Cleaning Brands
Chemical Guys – Chemical Guys is a worldwide provider of the highest quality car care chemicals, car wash accessories, buffing pads, machines, and knowledge. They have a reputation as one of the best worldwide names in the car care, car wash, detailing, and car care industry.
303 Products – Since 1980, 303® has been the premium choice for avid boaters, car enthusiasts, homeowners, and those who refuse to settle for any less than the best. Primarily designed for the aerospace industry, 303® has a variety of cleaning and protection products that are designed and formulated to be used on a wide range of surfaces including all rubber, vinyl, plastic, fabric, and leather materials.
Meguiar’s – Established in 1901, Meguiar’s® has become one of the world’s leading surface care product companies, providing highly specialized products for almost every conceivable type of surface.
How To Properly Clean Car Interior
- Remove any rubbish and unwanted items from the car
- Clean and polish the dashboard
- Clean glass on the inside of the car
- Clean the seats and doors
- Vacuum and clean the carpet
Sources
- Tips for Cleaning for Fall, HowStuffWorks
- How Often Should You Wash Your Car?, HowStuffWorks
Main photo by Alexandru G. STAVRICĂ
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