One of the important parts of car maintenance is maintaining the inside of your own vehicle. This means regularly cleaning the interior so that it smells great and looks great.
It also makes it easier to find any problems with the interior accessories.This way you’ll be able to spot any damage, cracks, blemishes, or problems starting to form.
You definitely don’t want your car smelling bad or making it easier for germs and bacteria to grow. That’s why you should regularly clean the inside using the best car interior cleaner you can find.
These car dashboard cleaners make it easy to clean the interior while protecting the dashboard and other interior components. The inside is going to smell great, look great, and make for a more enjoyable driving experience.
In this post, we put together a list of the best dashboard cleaners and interior cleaning products available for you to use. This makes it easier to find the right products to use for cleaning the inside of your car.
Don’t forget to scroll past our recommendations for some helpful tips, an in-depth buying guide, and FAQ section. Otherwise, let’s jump right into it!
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The Best Dashboard Cleaner Products and Car Interior Cleaners
Chemical Guys Total Interior Cleaner and Protectant (Best Car Interior Cleaner Overall)
The Chemical Guys Total Interior Cleaner and Protectant is our recommendation at the best dashboard cleaner and interior cleaning product for most people. This is a product that will both clean and protect the surfaces in your vehicle.
With the spray bottle design, this cleaner is great for cleaning the dashboard, seats of all types, rubber surfaces, and even the navigation or glass. Once applied, it protects these surfaces from fading, harsh UV rays, and discoloration.
The spray bottle also makes it easy to apply when you’re using a microfiber cloth. Get inside the car, find the problem areas, and start spraying to begin the cleaning process.
With the gentle formula inside you don’t need to worry about any harmful or toxic chemicals. This formula also won’t damage anything in the interior and shouldn’t leave behind a haze or greasy residue.
Once you’re done cleaning, the interior is going to look fresh, clean, and shiny. With the right application you’ll be able to remove layers of dirt, grime, grease, oils, and other debris to give the interior that new car look.
Overall, the Chemical Guys Total Interior Cleaner and Protectant is our top recommendation as the best car interior detailing spray. It’s easy to use, has some amazing reviews, doesn’t leave behind any residue, and is ideal for cleaning most surfaces.
Meguiar’s Ultimate Interior Detailer (Best Interior Detailing Spray)
The Meguiar’s Ultimate Interior Detailer is another great option if you’re looking for a simple and effective interior detailing spray. This is the popular choice for many at-home detailers due to the great results that this spray provides.
One of the best features of the Meguiar’s Ultimate Interior Detailer is the small that’s left behind. It isn’t overwhelming and it truly smells like a new car when you’re done the cleaning process.
Application is easy thanks to the spray bottle design. Once applied, this detailing spray cleans and protects all of the interior surfaces in one easy step.
It’s safe to use this spray on all interior surfaces. This means you can use it on the steering wheel, navigation screen, dashboard, center console, and everything else inside without worrying about damaging these components.
After being applied there is a superior UV protection that keeps the interior looking better for longer. It also leaves behind a satin-sealed finish that prevents dust build-up and looks great for weeks.
You also don’t need to worry about any greasy or slippery surfaces being left behind. This detailing spray dries quickly and starts to protect the different surfaces and components that you have thoroughly cleaned.
With the Meguiar’s Ultimate Interior Detailer it’s easy to keep up with regularly cleaning the vehicle interior. This is bound to be one of your favorites if you’re looking to add a new detailing spray to your supplies.
Car Guys Super Cleaner
The Car Guys Super Cleaner is a fan favorite and a great option if you’re looking for an effective all purpose cleaner. This is a spray that can be used to clean the seats, dashboard, rubber, wood trim, and just about any other surface in your vehicle.
The Car Guys Super Cleaner has been formulated to clean almost all kinds of surfaces, ranging from carpets and upholstery all the way to vinyl, plastic, and canvas. As a top rated dashboard cleaner, it doesn’t leave behind any residue and won’t be glossy once it’s dried.
Since it doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals, it’s safe to use and the ingredients won’t harm you or your vehicle. After application, there is a mild yet appealing scent that lingers in your vehicle even hours after cleaning.
When it comes to the application, the spray bottle is easy to use for reaching all the areas inside the vehicle. It even comes with a free cleaning towel so you can start cleaning right away.
It’s worth mentioning that you shouldn’t use this product on delicate instrument panels, navigation screens or the windows and glass. There are other options for products to use for cleaning these areas.
Otherwise, the Car Guys Super Cleaner is a versatile and easy to use dashboard cleaner cleaning in the inside of your car. It doesn’t have any harsh chemicals, it’s effective at cleaning multiple surfaces, and it even comes with a free cleaning towel.
Meguiar’s Quick Interior Detailer Wipes (Best Interior Detailer Wipes)
The Meguiar’s Quick Interior Detailer Wipes are ideal for quick wipe downs and for spot cleaning any messes, spills, or stains. These wipes are an easy way to quickly spot clean the vehicle interior without having to use any sprays or microfiber cloths.
The benefit of these is that they can be safely used for cleaning interior plastics, leather, rubber, metal, and even the navigation screens. They feature a gentle, high-lubricity cleaning formula that quickly lifts dust, dirt, spills, and grime while restoring the original appearance of the Interior surfaces.
Another benefit to these wipes is that they contain UV blocking agents to prevent any cracks or damage from the sun. This makes it easier to preserve the original appearance of your interior while having it look clean and fresh.
The wipe itself is a non-linting wipe that doesn’t leave behind any residue or a greasy appearance. Once you’re done wiping there will be a shiny, new car gloss that’s left behind.
With 25 full size wipes, the Meguiar’s Quick Interior Detailer Wipes is a great product to leave in your vehicle. These make it easy for quickly cleaning the interior, which is ideal for spot cleaning and keep everything clean without much effort.
Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner and Conditioner Complete Leather Care Kit
For detailing a leather interior, it’s the Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner and Conditioner Complete Leather Care Kit that we’d recommend. This kit comes with both a leather cleaner and leather conditioner
Using the leather cleaner makes it easy to wipe away contaminants without harming the leather. The cleaner penetrates the pores of leather so it can lift and suspend any dirt and oils.
Next, treating it with the conditioner helps to nourish the leather while preventing it from drying out, cracking, or fading from regular wear and tear. Once it’s conditioned, the leather will be restored to its silky smooth texture with a fresh new scent.
Another benefit to this kit is that it doesn’t leave behind any residues or greasy marks. It’s easy to use and will definitely help preserve your leather seats for years to come.
Overall, the Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner and Conditioner Complete Leather Care Kit is a great kit for maintaining the leather seats in your vehicle. The spray bottle is easy to use and the conditioner leaves the seats looking and smelling new while protecting them for long-term use.
Armor All Interior Cleaner Spray (Best Cheap Car Interior Cleaner)
The Armor All Interior Cleaner Spray is our recommendation if you’re looking for an easy and cheap car interior cleaner. This is a multi-purpose cleaner that can be used effectively for cleaning the entire interior of your vehicle.
It’s safe to use this cleaning spray on the dashboard, carpet, console, clear plastics, rubber, and most other components inside your car. It features a balanced formula that’s engineered to lift away dirt and debris without harming any of the surfaces.
The spray bottle makes this cleaner easy to use just by spraying any problem areas. Once they’re sprayed, it’s simple to use a microfiber cloth to easily remove tough dirt, dust, and grime.
Afterwards, there isn’t any residue or greasy spots left behind. It also leaves behind a pleasant smelling scent that isn’t overpowering.
Overall, the Armor All Interior Cleaner Spray is an affordable cleaner for detailing the interior of your vehicle. Armor All is a popular brand so it’s easy for us to recommend this product, especially if you’re on a tight budget.
Why Use a Car Interior Cleaner
Less Wear and Tear
It’s a good idea to regularly clean the interior of your vehicle. Rather than paying someone to do it, you should make an effort to clean the inside once every few weeks.
The problem with leaving behind spilled substances, dirt, and debris is that it can increase the wear and tear on these interior surfaces. Harmful UV rays will lead to cracks forming in the interior, which otherwise could have been avoided.
Regularly cleaning the inside can make your car look much newer and in better condition, despite having an older or higher mileage vehicle. These car interior cleaners keep the leather, upholstery, and other surfaces looking new while preventing discoloration and fading.
Prevent Health Issues
As soon as you shut the door the interior becomes a closed environment. This makes it harder for germs, dust, and other harmful particles to get circulated and expelled from the interior.
Using a car interior cleaning spray regularly helps to improve and maintain the air quality inside the car. This can prevent certain health issues and make it easier to drive if you’re suffering from asthma, allergies, or other breathing related problems.
Better Driving Safety
It’s surprising how many people continue to drive with a dirty windshield. With a dirty windshield it’s harder to see, especially in certain conditions, and you’ll be driving with poor visibility. You
It’s the same for the windows and mirrors if they’re not regularly cleaned. Cleaning the interior of your vehicle as well as the glass increases your ability to see and helps to minimize any risks on the road due to poor visibility.
Types of Car Dashboard Cleaners and Interior Cleaning Products
Spray
The most popular type of cleaning product is a car interior cleaning spray. These are relatively affordable, readily available, and easy to use.
The sprays can be used to clean different surfaces inside your car, saving you time and money. Many car owners prefer using spray products since they’re versatile, effective, and easy to use for cleaning the interior.
Interior Wipes
Another popular option are interior wipes for reaching all of the hard-to-reach spots inside the car and giving them a thorough cleaning. Unfortunately, even the best car interior wipes aren’t as good as using the sprays we just mentioned.
The benefit of using these wipes is to wipe everything down once you’re finished given the interior a thorough clean with a spray and microfiber cloth. This helps to add an additional layer of protection and give the car a “just detailed” appearance.
Wax
For leather surfaces, some people prefer to use a car interior wax or leather cleaner. This is a product specifically designed for cleaning leather surfaces inside a vehicle.
Those of you with leather seats will find these products to be a good choice. They do a good job for cleaning, conditioning, and protecting the leather compared to sprays.
These car interior waxes also protect against UV rays while giving the leather a supple, rejuvenated look. This is another option to use after thoroughly cleaning the inside using a cleaning spray.
How Much Do Car Interior Cleaners Cost?
Under $10
There are some great options for car interior detailers available for under $10. The products you find this price range will generally be designed to work on one or two surfaces.
For example, you’ll be able to find the leather specific sprays that work great on leather seats and interiors. There will also be some car interior sprays for under $10, though there are some better options to choose from.
$10 to $20
Most average car interior cleaning products sell within this price range. This is what you can expect to spend if you’re putting together your own supplies for detailing the interior.
There are even some high-quality sprays available in a single package for this price. The great budget to start out with for collecting different sprays and dashboard cleaners for your own detailing job.
Over $20
In this price range you can start finding some good quality car vacuum cleaners and detailing kits. Depending on how often you detail the interior, it might be worth buying some of these products for getting everything done.
It’s also possible to buy larger containers of cleaner, ranging in size from 1 to 5 gallons for example. These are a good choice if you’re doing a lot of cleanings and you want to buy something cost effective for regular use.
Key Features
Surface Compatibility
One of the first features to consider is the surface compatibility of the best car interior detailer you’re looking for. It’s not convenient or cost effective to be using products that only work on one or two surfaces.
Instead, look for products that have more general utility. This makes it easier to use the products on a wider variety of surfaces saving you time and money.
UV Protection
Another important feature to look for when it comes to finding a car interior cleaner is the UV protection. One of the main causes of surface cracks, fading colors, and general wear and tear are the harmful UV rays coming through the window.
For UV protection, look for the best car interior protectant that has this feature. This is a feature available with most sprays, something you want typically find with car wipes or waxes.
Dust Repellent
Not only can modern car detailing products clean stains and grime, they also come with compounds that act as dust repellents. Even after you’ve wiped them clean, they continue working on the surfaces of the car interior.
They work by using special ingredients to prevent dust from sticking to the dashboard and seats. This is definitely a feature to look for when you’re browsing the best car interior detailing products.
High Quality Finish
The hardest part of detailing the inside of the car is getting the finish right. Even using a product to remove stains can leave behind a greasy mess if you’re not careful.
Look for products that come with a matte finish. This means they won’t leave behind any greasy looking or obvious messes and stains if you don’t clean everything off properly.
Scent
Choosing a cleaning product that’s odorless or scented is based on personal preference. Some people don’t like driving with obnoxious scents wafting through the interior.
Take a look at the different scents available when you’re browsing different products. Opt to go for an odorless car detailing spray if you don’t want your car to smell like anything artificial.
Toxicity
The last feature worth considering is the overall toxicity of any of the products you’re using. Using a toxic car detailer can’t be detrimental to both your health and the environment.
Look for interior detailers that are water-based and non-toxic. These are healthier to use and easier to clean off when you’re detailing your interior.
Helpful Tips
- Start vacuuming the interior of your car before using any liquid cleaner. This gets rid of all of the dust, dirt, and leftover debris so you have a cleaner surface to work with. It also makes the cleaning process less messy so you can work more efficiently.
- When you start cleaning the interior it might start to seem overwhelming. Rather than focussing on everything at once, break down the cleaning into smaller areas. This makes it more manageable and it’s easier to clean similar surfaces together.
- Use a scrub brush on difficult stains after spraying them to break up the tough dirt and debris. Next, use your microfiber cloth to wipe away anything that’s left over.
- For tough stains it’s a good idea to spray lightly a few times and let it soak before getting to work on it. Try not to use a heavy application, as this could ruin the surface.
- Consider picking up one of the best car detailing kits you can find in your budget. These come with everything you need for cleaning both the exterior and interior of your vehicle effectively.
- When you’re first getting started, you might not be able to fully clean the interior in one go. This is even harder for dirtier vehicles with a lot of dirt and grime. Make an effort to take your time and work on areas one by one until the entire interior is clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should You Use Full-Strength Products or Dilute Them?
When it comes to sprays, most of them are already diluted. This makes them safer to use on interior surfaces without worrying about damaging them.
On the other hand, if you’re buying larger bulk containers then it might be a good idea to dilute them with some distilled water. Always refer to the instructions on the container to see what the manufacturer recommends.
Can Car Interior Detailers Fix Scratch Marks?
Unfortunately, these cleaning products aren’t designed for scratch marks and scuffs. They’re only meant to work on cleaning the interior by making it easier to remove dirt, dust, and grime.
If you have some scuffs and scratches then you might want to look into other fixes. There are some better options for repairing the interior and refreshing some of the most worn areas.
Can You Clean Glass With Car Interior Detailers?
This isn’t something we would recommend. Most car interior cleaners won’t work effectively on glass and can leave behind streaks or marks that are difficult to remove.
Instead, you would be better off getting a specific car glass cleaner to use for cleaning the interior windows and glass in your vehicle. These are designed for the sole purpose of cleaning glass and will work more effectively.
How Often Should You Clean the Interior of the Car?
It’s a good idea to clean the interior of your car at least once per month. This helps to keep everything clean, fresh, and smelling great.
Those of you without the free time should consider taking advantage of a car detailing service. This would get the same effect, though it wouldn’t be as cost effective.
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