10 Best Interior Car Cleaners for Your Dashboard And Upholstery

Your car shouldn’t just look good on the outside. Its interiors should look and feel just as amazing. However, the passage of time and constant use will eventually make your interiors dirty and faded, and once (or before) this happens, you need to find a solution that works.

The answer? The best interior car cleaners that will deep clean your dashboard and upholstery, restoring them to their original shine or even making them look better.

That said, you need to find the right products to clean specific parts of your interiors, such as the seats, windows, etc. since not all universal cleaners can do an excellent job. In any case, most interior car cleaners are affordable, so finding the right product/s shouldn’t be an issue.

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10 Best Interior Car Cleaners

Without further ado, here are the ten best interior car cleaners that you can buy in 2020:

1.  CarGuys Super Cleaner

The best of the best is the CarGuys Super Cleaner, a highly versatile and useful interior car cleaner that works great not only for your dashboard and other interior parts but also for a few exterior plastics.

This is because it makes use of a special formulation that can effectively clean almost any kind of surface, from plastic, to canvas, vinyl, upholstery, and carpets, which means it’s a one stop shop solution that you can use for your vehicle. It even does all of these things without using harsh, harmful chemicals, and it won’t leave any gloss or residue.

And if that isn’t enough, you’ll also be pleased to know that it comes with a mild but appealing scent that will leave your vehicle smelling wonderful for several hours after you use the cleaning solution. It’s even packaged in a ready-to-use bottle and comes with a cleaning towel so you can use it right out of the box.

2.  Meguiar’s G16216

Taking the second spot is the Meguiar’s G16216, which promises an easy one-step cleaning solution to solve all your vehicle interior problems. All you have to do is to spray the cleaner on the surface you want to clean, then wipe it off.

What you’re getting here is a non-greasy, durable finish that’s safe to use on all interior surfaces including your dashboard, door panels, steering wheels, and more, and it’s guaranteed to leave all these surfaces looking brand new.

To top it all off, this interior car cleaner also offers superior UV protection so you won’t ever have to worry about cracking and fading. The only downside we found is that it comes with a somewhat unpleasant smell, but nothing that you won’t get used to after some time.

3.  Chemical Guys SPI-663-16

In third place is the Chemical Guys SPI-663-16, which is easily one of the most affordable but high-quality and value for money cleaning solutions that you will ever find. It’s a multi-surface cleaner that works great on your entire car interior.

These include your dashboard and other interior surfaces such as the steering wheel, seats, navigation screens, and LCD displays. Moreover, this quick detail spray not only cleans your interior, but also conditions and protects it.

Not to mention, it also offers advanced UV protection that helps prevent any fading and cracking, and its formulation also works in restoring your interior’s original showroom appearance. It even boasts of an advanced anti-static technology that effectively repels dirt and dust to keep your interior looking clean for longer.

4.  KevianClean KC-24-ID

Ranking fourth is the KevianClean KC-24-ID, a high quality interior car cleaner that comes in a huge 24 ounce bottle, giving you plenty of cleaning solution that you can use for several uses, thereby giving you great value for your money.

It also features a gentle but effective non-toxic formulation that is 100% free of any harsh chemicals, making it great to use on just about any surface. In fact, it’s so gentle that you can even use it without gloves.

Furthermore, it also provides maximum UV protection that is far superior to most other dashboard cleaners on the market. What this means is your dashboard won’t crack or fade in the foreseeable future. Of course, you can also use it on various other surfaces, including leather, plastic, vinyl, and other interior surfaces.

5.  Meguiar’s G13616

Our fifth pick is the Meguiar’s G13616, which comes from a reputable brand that has been delivering quality car care products and accessories for several decades. This car cleaner, for one, features a safe formulation that is suitable for use on all of your vehicle’s interior surfaces.

It features an improved formulation that makes for better performance in terms of deep cleaning. That means you can use it on various interior surfaces including rubber, plastics, leather, vinyl, and even LCD screens. It even offers excellent protection against cracking and fading thanks to the sun blocking agents in its formula.

To add to that, it also makes use of a convenient trigger that is designed to eliminate any greasy residue and prevent your dashboard from looking sad and forgotten. In fact, it even leaves a rich and dark finish that is sure to make your dashboard looking new.

6.  Nextzett 92441015

Another promising option is the Nextzett 92441015, which is a highly potent interior car cleaner that is capable of removing rubber scuff marks. This powerful cleaner can also eliminate grime and dirt on various types of surfaces including leather, vinyl, and plastic.

As a matter of fact, you can also use it on other surfaces aside from your dashboard, like the seats, armrests, and steering wheel. It’s just not as suited for old and aging textiles as you need to apply less product or dilute it with water so as not to damage the delicate material.

Notwithstanding, it’s a great cleaner made with zero harsh chemicals and is even silicone-free and biodegradable, so you can be sure that it won’t ever damage your vehicle. It even leaves a nice anti-static finish that lets you go longer in between cleaning sessions by effectively repelling dirt and debris.

7.  TriNova 33534

We also really like the TriNova 33534, a quick interior detailer that boasts of fast cleaning action and a versatile range of applications on a wide array of surfaces including rubber, leather, plastic, and vinyl, making it highly suitable for use on just about any vehicle.

It’s also really simple and easy to use since all you have to do is spray a bit of the product then wipe it off to get rid of dirt and grime. It also makes use of anti-static technology, which essentially means your car interiors will repel any further dust and residue so they don’t build up on the surface, therefore leaving your car cleaner for longer.

More than that, this cleaner also offers superior protection against the harsh UV rays of the sun, which is what causes fading and cracking. This way, you get to prolong the lifespan of your dashboard and other interior surfaces.

8.  Griot’s Garage 11104SP

Don’t forget to check out the Griot’s Garage 11104SP, the best in class when it comes to the car vinyl cleaner category, though it also performs well on other surfaces such as leather and vehicle interior fabrics.

It also doesn’t contain any dye or additive so you don’t have to worry about accidentally staining or discoloring your precious interior. Not to mention, it’s also free of fragrances, and won’t leave behind any oily residue.

All in all, it’s a potent cleaning solution that works great in dealing with particularly tough and stubborn stains. It’s also fairly easy to use with just a few sprays and wipes, and even comes in a sizable 35-ounce bottle to give you enough product for lots of cleanups.

9.  Nextzett 92470515

You might also want to consider the Nextzett 92470515, which is one of the best cleaning solutions for leather finishes in your car interior. It’s actually the perfect product for most modern vehicles as it features a highly effective formulation that deep cleans leather.

Of course, it also proves effective on various other surfaces such as colored plastic trim. It even leaves a shine-free and anti-static finish that really lasts for a long time. Plus, it’s engineered with sun-blocking agents to provide long-lasting protection against harsh UV rays.

What’s more is that its formulation does not contain any silicone, making it a safe product that you can use on just about anything. It even leaves a nice citrus scent. It does come with a drawback- it’s not the most effective on radio screens and dashboards, as it tends to leave some haze on those surfaces, though you can just buff that out with a microfiber cloth.

10. Sonax 263241

Finally, there’s also the Sonax 263241, which is a solvent and silicone free potent cleaning solution that is ideal for use on plastic dashboards, though it also works well on many other types of car interior surfaces.

Aside from its potent cleaning properties, it also leaves an anti-static finish and prevents electrostatic charges in order to give your interior surfaces dust repellent capabilities, so you can go longer before having to clean your car again.

Furthermore, it is also capable of restoring and maintaining your vehicle interior’s original matte finish, and also keeps it looking clean and neat over a long period of time. Not only that, but it also doesn’t leave an oily residue on the dashboard.

Things to look for in an interior car cleaner

There are lots of amazing universal cleaners on the market, as well as specialized options that effectively target specific areas of the interior of your vehicle. As such, it can be difficult to choose a product just from the sheer number of options alone.

Besides, even with the number of available cleaning solutions on the market, not all of them can deliver satisfactory results, so you really need to be careful with your buying decision. To help you out, we listed down the most important factors you need to consider:

Interior surface

There are five areas in your vehicle’s interior that will require frequent detailing: your dashboard, windows, upholstery, carpet, and general trim. You need to make sure that you’re either getting a multi-surface cleaner that can effectively clean all these surfaces for a more convenient and economical option, or buy the best-specialized products that will give you professional results.

Dashboard and trim

For your dashboard and trim, you’ll likely need a vinyl or rubber cleaner with protective properties. Spray this solution on the said surfaces then wipe it up with the use of a microfiber cloth. Or, if the dashboard and trim are particularly dirty, use soapy water to get rid of most of the dirt before applying the cleaning solution.

Upholstery and carpet

Your upholstery and carpet cleaner should work well with the material used on them. For instance, leather seats require cleaners that can lift grime and dirt off of the leather pores, as well as prevent the leather from drying out and cracking by treating and conditioning it.

On the other hand, if your upholstery features fabric, you’ll need something that is able to deep clean fabric in order to get rid of stains and make your upholstery look brand new, and ideally, one that can also leave a fresh scent.

Glass and windows

Your glass and windows will often require special cleaning solutions that will leave a streak-free finish. This usually works as the cleaner creates a foamy product that can dissolve particulates on the glass’ surface, which can then be wiped off without leaving streaks or film.

Type of interior car cleaner

There are, in general, three different types of interior car cleaners: sprays, wipes, and waxes. Here’s how they differ from one another:

Spray

Cleaning sprays are the most popular and widely used option since they are easy to use and can effectively clean different interior surfaces, therefore saving you lots of time and money. They also typically offer added features such as UV protection. In short, spray cleaners are easy to use, versatile, and highly effective.

Interior wipes

Interior wipes are particularly great in helping you reach and deep clean hard to reach nooks and crannies so you can give your car interiors a ‘just detailed’ appearance. However, interior wipes aren’t that good when it comes to dealing with tough stains, and will require considerably more time and effort to clean your interiors.

Wax

Car interior waxes, also referred to as leather cleaners and leather balms, are mainly intended for interior leather surfaces. These waxes do an excellent job of cleaning, protecting, and conditioning your leather, while also offering UV protection and giving the leather a supple and rejuvenated look and feel.

Quality finish

Not all interior car cleaners can leave a nice looking finish after use. For instance, while some cleaners can effectively remove tough stains, they also leave streaks and blotchy spots. Ideally, your car cleaner should leave a matte finish that works for all types of surfaces.

UV protection

A really important feature that you should expect from an interior car cleaner is reliable UV protection since this is what ensures that your interior surfaces won’t wear, fade, or crack due to the harsh effects of the sun rays.

Dust repellent

The beauty of most car interior cleaners is that they now come with dust repellent capabilities by leaving an anti-static finish after application and wiping. This means you don’t only get to clean grime and stains, but also prevent dust from building up on the dashboard or the seats for quite a long time after you’ve cleaned your car.

Scent

Some cleaning solutions come with fragrances, while others do not. Whichever you choose is entirely up to your personal preferences. That said, if you do opt for a cleaner with some sort of fragrance, do make sure that you read the customers’ reviews to make sure that this scent actually smells nice rather than overwhelming.

Toxicity

Many interior car cleaners are made with harsh chemicals that are toxic to the environment and can be harmful to you and your car. That said, you do need some potency in your cleaning solution if you want to be able to get rid of grime, grease, and stains. Even so, you should be able to find a potent but non-toxic water-based cleaner that is safe and effective to use.

Price

Finally, you should also determine how much you are willing to spend on an interior car cleaner. That’s not to say that they’re expensive- in fact, most car cleaners cost somewhere between ten to twenty dollars, which will give you a decent amount of cleaning solution that will last for several cleanups.

Still, cheaper solutions will likely only work on a couple of surfaces, such as leather. The quality and performance will also be mediocre. For higher quality multi-surface sprays and decent vacuum cleaners, expect to pay at least $15 or upwards of $20.

A few tips before you go…

• Before you go all out in your scheduled cleanup, do a colorfast test by using the product in a small, inconspicuous area to make sure that it won’t result in bleeding or running dyes.
• Don’t forget to read and follow the directions on the product label if you want to achieve the best possible results.
• Consider buying a detail brush if your regular microfiber cloth isn’t quite working as well as you would expect, since a detail brush helps agitate the cleaner and works up a lather that can deeply penetrate your target area.

Final thoughts

Shopping for the best interior car cleaner should be easy as long as you know what to look for. There are hundreds of available options on the market, so you are sure to find something that perfectly works for your interior cleaning needs.

That said, we highly recommend the CarGuys Super Cleaner, which is the best overall cleaning solution that promises versatility, reliability, and excellent overall performance on all kinds of interior surfaces, all without using harsh chemicals.