DFB5.0
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Interior Cleaners & Detailers
When I started cleaning cars in my teens and early 20’s, my method of “cleaning” an interior centered around slathering ArmorAll or similar onto the dashboard and door trims. Oh how things changed when I started to learn what those products did and didn’t do. As I grew my knowledge base, so did the products used to clean and maintain car interiors.
In very basic terms, an interior cleaner is used for, you guessed it, cleaning. In that I mean assisting the removal of dirt, mud, dust, cosmetics and skin oils from plastic, vinyl, infotainment screens, carpet and leather. An interior detailer on the other hand is used to maintain that cleanliness on a regular basis.
For this post, I’m focusing on general interior cleaners and detailers that are safe for use on multiple surfaces. I won’t be covering specific, tailored products like leather, fabric and glass cleaners.
Interior Cleaners -
It wasn’t until I started to detail other people’s cars did I see the need for an interior cleaner. In other words, my cars don’t really progress to the point where I need something more than a damp towel or a light wipe over with an interior detailer. My first response was to use an all-purpose-cleaner.
For the occasional use, APC can be used, but it’s not always ideal. Why? Because the alkalinity of those products can cause damage to sensitive materials, especially on older cars and on certain plastics. It’s also not a good idea to clean leather with an alkaline chemical, especially on a semi-regular basis. Put it this way, you don’t clean your own skin with an alkaline soap, so why would you do that to the skin of your car seats?
Now, those precautions might sound overly cautious, but if you are working on someone else’s car, turning an interior white due to a reaction with an APC is going to be a massive headache. I will say, a well experienced detailer using an APC will know that product back to front, which poses less of a risk. It’s the less experienced that grab an APC, mix it strong or inaccurately, then going to town on a fragile or aged interior that poses the most risk. That’s why I generally recommend staying away from APC if you can help it.
This is where dedicated interior cleaners come into the equation. You may think this is just a cash grab, but its more about being safe without compromising the cleaning ability or wasting time your time. Of the interior cleaners I have shortlisted here, they are all pH neutral and suitable for use across most interior surfaces, including leather, fabric, vinyl, plastic and rubber. Unlike an interior detailer, they don’t leave protection behind, they are pure cleaners.
Griot’s Interior Cleaner – This is one a few Griot’s products that I have used, but probably my favourite. What sets this interior cleaner apart is the complete lack of scent or colorants, its just does its job without shouting about it. This product can be used in a spray and wipe manner, or dialled up via agitation with a brush or scrub pad. Suitable for all interior surfaces, including leather, fabric, carpet and plastics, it wipes away to leave a residue finish.
Cleaning Ability – 10/10
Protection – Nill
Finish – Matte/OEM
Scent – Nill
DFB Score – 10/10
Gtechniq Tri-Clean – Another all-surface interior cleaner with a pH neutral formulation, this is one of the few products from Gtechniq that I like. Compared to the other cleaners here, Tri-Clean offers antibacterial and antimicrobial qualities, killing 99.9% of bacteria while also absorbing odors. This product seems to better suited to spray and wipe applications, where it delivers a really nice feel under the towel, then flashes away to a residue free finish. It will lather up with a brush as well. The scent is an acquired taste, a strong disinfectant-like aroma that is probably my least favorite aspect of the product. The anti-bacterial aspect probably makes it a good choice for those with small children.
Cleaning Ability – 7/10
Protection – Nill other than being able to kill bacteria
Finish – Matte/OEM
Scent – Pine disinfectant
DFB Score – 8/10
P&S Xpress – I initially bought a small bottle of this product, not expecting much from it. Within 10-seconds of use, I fell in love. For what is a relatively affordable, bulk quantity product, Xpress has a very premium fell to it. It’s fantastic as a spray and wipe cleaner, but add some agitation and it comes alive. It lathers up superbly, lifting dirt into the lather, which can then be easily wiped away with a towel. Again, the finish left behind is a clean, dry and residue free appearance. Being pH neutral, its safe for use across all interior surfaces, leather included. This is another interior cleaner with a subjective scent, but I really like it.
Cleaning Ability – 10/10
Protection – Nill
Finish – Matte/OEM
Scent – Lemon/Lime?
DFB Score – 10/10
Koch Chemie Pol Star – I primarily bought this as a dedicated fabric and carpet cleaner, but it can be used as an all-round interior cleaner as well. Compared to the ready-to-use products listed here, Pol Star was designed to be diluted. KCx suggest dilutions from 5:1 out to 20:1, I have it mixed at 8:1 for heavier cleaning ability. Pol Star is pH neutral and largely free of scent and colorants. I’ve found Pol Star a very effective bulk quantity leather cleaner, it lathers up with a brush or scrub pad to perfection, then wiping away to reveal a completely matte finish. It can also be put into a small foaming bottle.
Cleaning Ability – 10/10
Protection – Said to offer light “conserving” ability
Finish – Matte/OEM
Scent – Nill
DFB Score – 9/10
McKee's Floor Mat & Cargo Liner Rejuvenator – I know, I know, another dedicated product, but hear me out. After trying various APC’s and other cleaners, I just wasn’t getting the finish I was looking for when it came to cleaning rubber floor mats and cargo liners. I tried a product from Chemical Guys that was supposed to clean and refresh, but it was absolutely useless. I then bought a bottle of this MeKee’s and haven’t looked back. Teamed with a dedicated tyre brush, this product lathers up to perfection, rinses away and dries to reveal a completely clean rubber floor mat. If I could, I would use APC here rather than having yet another product in the cabinet, but this stuff works!
Cleaning Ability – 10/10
Protection – Nill
Finish – Matte/OEM
Scent – Slight chemical aroma
DFB Score – 10/10
A General Warning About Interior Cleaners – I once had a rep tell me that if you are using cleaning chemicals on or around buttons and switches, that its better to use one of the many interior detailers on the market. These products have an element of IPA within their formulars, which is primarily used to help deliver a streak free finish. However, that IPA aspect also helps if you get some residue around buttons and their connections, in effect it flashes away rather than staying wet and causing long term damage.
Interior Detailers –
For the most part, interior detailers are a relatively recent growth area of the car care sector. Yes, they existed before this, but not to the extent that they do now. I’ll go out on a limb and say that most of us here are only ever going to need an interior detailer on their own cars. These products are generally milder in cleaning ability and primarily used to remove dust, fingerprints and the odd scuff. They can be used across all surfaces, including screens, leather and even glass. Some of them also contain mild dressing potential, anti-static properties and an element of UV protection. It’s to the point now that I don’t actually bother to apply a dedicated interior dressing such as 303, Perl or Hyper Dressing.
Note – Scoring for cleaning ability here will be lower than noted for the cleaner section above. This reflects how interior detailers are less cleaning orientated, however this doesn’t necessarily reflect my overall score.
Auto Finesse Spritz – Another British brand, another crap product. It’s thoroughly unremarkable that I really don’t have anything to say about it. The fruity bubble gum scent is weird, especially after sitting for a few minutes. In any case, it seems this brand is relegated to the UK now, it's been dumped in Australia, and I’m not sure about the US market, they are basically the UK equivalent of Chemical Guys.
Cleaning Ability – 0/10
Protection – UV and Anti-static inhibitors
Finish – Matte to Satin
Scent – Fruit Punch
DFB Score – 1/10
Armour Detail Supply Pilot – This is a bit of an inbetweener in that it seems to offer more cleaning ability than most here, but also containing the anti-static and UV inhibitors common to most here too. I love the scent, I love the feeling it has under the towel, it cleans really well, and finishes out to natural, OEM finish. This is my current favourite interior product, be that a cleaner or detailer. Actually, its one of my favourite detailing products full stop.
Cleaning Ability – 7/10
Protection – UV, Anti-static and Microbial inhibitors
Finish – Matte/OEM
Scent – “Spiced Pear”
DFB Score – 10/10
Carpro InnerQD – This is another product I instantly fell for. I really like how InnerQD wipes on and tends to flash away quite quickly, making it ideal for use on interiors with a lot of glossy trims. Unlike some interior detailers, InnerQD doesn’t alter the look of the treated surface, again, desirable on gloss trims. I’ve found it better than others on screens, and its nice for a quick wipe down of leather. The lemon scent is pleasant although pretty strong, so it does tend to linger for a while. I remember when this product first went on sale, people were asking me how this differs from the very similar Meguiar’s Quick Interior Detailer, other than the higher price. Well, they function very similarly, the Meg’s offering a touch of enhancement/dressing potential, while InnerQD smells much better and offers an anti-static property.
Cleaning Ability – 6/10
Protection – UV and Anti-static inhibitors
Finish – Matte/OEM
Scent – Lemon
DFB Score – 9/10
DIY Detail Interior Clean & Protect – This product seems to offer a little more cleaning ability than most listed here, likewise offering more “dressing” potential in offering a satin sheen. It can be used across all surfaces, apparently Alcantara too. The key point of difference here being the apple scent, a refreshing point of difference to all of the lemon scented interior cleaning products on the market. A very competent product, just one that I don’t love.
Cleaning Ability – 7/10
Protection – UV Inhibitor
Finish – Matte to Satin
Scent – Apple
DFB Score – 7/10
Ethos Interior Detailer – Another interior detailer that offers more dressing potential. If you prefer a more obvious before and after, this is your product. Having said that, it won’t create slickness or a greasy finish, just an enhanced OE look. I would use this for the delightful scent alone, the coconut aroma lingers in the cabin for longer than most. This product does seem to be better suited to spray and wipe applications, and I’ve found it a touch smeary on gloss surfaces. Still, a very nice product.
Cleaning Ability – 6/10
Protection – UV inhibitor, odour prevention
Finish – Satin Sheen
Scent – Coconut
DFB Score – 8/10
Gyeon Interior Detailer – While it smells nice, that classic Carpro/Gyeon scent, I really don’t like this product. To me, it feels like it has too much IPA in it, leaving the treated surface with a dry appearance. While its ok on glossy trims to deliver a streak free finish, everywhere else its too harsh. I also found it lacked any meaningful cleaning ability outside of dusting.
Cleaning Ability – 1/10 (Little to none)
Protection – Nill
Finish – Matte/OEM
Scent – Fresh
DFB Score – 2/10
Koch Chemie ASC – This stuff has that unique KCx scent, but from my use, it has the least cleaning ability of this bunch. It’s an ok product, ideal for fingerprint removal and light dusting of glossy trims and screens because it leaves no residue behind. But frankly, I think there are way better options out there, even a damp towel will do what this does.
Cleaning Ability – 1/10
Protection – Nill
Finish – Matte/OEM
Scent – Pleasant, fresh
DFB Score – 2/10
Meguiar’s Quick Interior Detailer – There seems to be two versions of this product, the retail version sold in small trigger bottles, and the gallon size in the Detailer range. Unless you like the smell of stale vinegar, stay away from the gallon size. Now, I can hear you say, scent isn’t everything, but I found it was making a freshly cleaned customer car smell worse than when they arrived for treatment. That said, what I love about this product is how it offers a slight enhancement but largely leaves a completely matte, dry finish………………no gloss, no greasiness. It offers some mild UV protection as well. In the retail size, this is an excellent product, in gallon size, its counterproductive.
Cleaning Ability – 7/10
Protection – UV inhibitors
Finish – Matte/OEM
Scent – Lemon
DFB Score – 7/10 (RTU), 0/10 (gallon, the stench is that bad)
Nextzett Cockpit Premium – Like ADS Pilot, this is another hybrid cleaner/detailer. Again, it seems to offer more cleaning ability, but also leaves behind UV protection as well. Most don’t like the lemon scent, but it doesn’t bother me. I really love the residue free finish it leaves behind. In Australia, it seems pretty well priced too, undercutting InnerQD.
Cleaning Ability – 9/10
Protection – UV inhibitors
Finish – Matte/OEM
Scent – Lemon
DFB Score – 7/10
P&S Swift – This is another product I instantly liked. Relatively new on the market, P&S designed this to be an interior finisher, but it can also do some decent cleaning if lathered up with a brush. Like the Ethos Interior Detailer, Swift will leave behind a more noticeable amount of dressing, but still finishes down without a greasy look or feel. Also like the Ethos, it can leave some streaks on glossy surfaces. The “orange-sickle” scent is completely unique, a real treat compared to the usual lemon found in these products. My favorite use for Swift is on rubber floor and cargo mats, it offers just the right amount of enhancement without creating a slippery surface. One of P&S’s best products.
Cleaning Ability – 8/10
Protection – UV inhibitors
Finish – Satin Sheen
Scent – “Orange-sickle”
DFB Score – 10/10
WoWo’s Interior Finisher – I only bought this because it was on clearance. As the name suggests, this is an interior finisher, so it's more of a mild dressing and wouldn’t be ideal for light cleaning like others here. For that reason, I would keep it off screens and glossy surfaces and stick to plastics, vinyl and leather. Delivering a satin finish, it also contains anti-static and UV inhibitors. Like all WoWo’s products, this is a good, but not GREAT product.
Cleaning Ability – 5/10
Protection – UV and Anti-static inhibitors
Finish – Satin Sheen
Scent – Mint
DFB Score – 3/10
The Alternative Way –
As always in detailing, there are many ways to arrive at the same result. Just because a product implies that its for exterior use, that doesn’t necessarily mean it can’t be used on the interior as well……………………..
Rinse-less & Waterless Wash – I think the use of these products as interior cleaners is quite overlooked. What I love about using a rinse-less for interior cleaning and dusting is how mild they are on treated surfaces. I will often use ONR for interior wipe downs, from plastic to leather. For filthy interiors, I like the idea of having a bucket of rinse-less mixed up to soak down towels with cleaning solution while also allowing you to rinse them out as needed. Super safe and super economical.
Exterior Detail Sprays / Quick Detailers – For a while, I was using Meguiar’s Last Touch and P&S Paint Gloss for interior dusting/wipe downs. Typically used as a drying aid or gloss enhancer on paint, surprisingly these products work just as well on the interior without making treated surfaces shiny. These two have some anti-static properties to them, which can also help when used as a "vacuum aid" for pet hair and sand removal on carpet. And finally, they bring a nice scent to the interior.
H2O – While I love using specific products for specific roles, the reality is, sometimes all you need is a damp towel. This would apply to a well maintained interior where you are simply removing dust build up, a situation where you frankly don’t need a product at all.
Associated Tools and Accessories –
Cleaning chemicals are only as good as the towels and tools they are teamed with. Some of the following will be subjective, at the very least use this list as a starting point.
Brushes –
For interior work, I think you want both boars hair and synthetic bristle brushes. The firmer boars hair is ideal for cleaning harder surfaces, the soft synthetic for glossy trims and delicate finishes. You also need a leather cleaning brush and a firm carpet brush.
Detail Factory boars hair brush -
Detail Factory synthetic bristle brush -
These small brushes come in handy for cleaning pedals or getting crud out of seat stitching and seams.
Towels & Pads –
A scrub pad or mitt can make short work of larger surfaces. These have stiff fabric bristles that deep clean hard plastics and leather.
In most cases I prefer square towels, but on the interior, I prefer a larger rectangular towel. The TRC Car Wash Towel are brilliant here as they are perfectly sized, soft enough to be safe but firm enough to be effective. I’ve also found them to be extremely durable, even after years and years of hard work. An alternative would be something like the TRC Edgeless 365 or Creature.
I think you also need a couple of microfiber applicators, these always come in handy to applying a dressing or even cleaning glass.
Final Thoughts -
So, which of the above should you buy?
P&S Xpress is going have you 99% covered when it comes to interior cleaning. It works safely on all surfaces, is affordable and can also be diluted if you want or need. If you have rubber floor mats, I also think you want McKee's product too.
For an interior detailer with a natural finish, I can't go past Armour Detail Supply Pilot, its just so nice in every way. I know scent is subjective, but I would use this product for the scent alone. If that spicy pear scent doesn't appeal, Capro InnerQD was my previous favorite and is still a stellar product.
If you prefer a more obvious before and after, then P&S Swift is easily my pick here. It strikes a great balance between cleaning and dressing, smells unique and looks great.
And if you want to dispense with a collection of products, just grab your favorite rinse-less wash, then mix it in a dedicated spray bottle. Simple, cheap and easy.
Happy cleaning!
When I started cleaning cars in my teens and early 20’s, my method of “cleaning” an interior centered around slathering ArmorAll or similar onto the dashboard and door trims. Oh how things changed when I started to learn what those products did and didn’t do. As I grew my knowledge base, so did the products used to clean and maintain car interiors.
In very basic terms, an interior cleaner is used for, you guessed it, cleaning. In that I mean assisting the removal of dirt, mud, dust, cosmetics and skin oils from plastic, vinyl, infotainment screens, carpet and leather. An interior detailer on the other hand is used to maintain that cleanliness on a regular basis.
For this post, I’m focusing on general interior cleaners and detailers that are safe for use on multiple surfaces. I won’t be covering specific, tailored products like leather, fabric and glass cleaners.
Interior Cleaners -
It wasn’t until I started to detail other people’s cars did I see the need for an interior cleaner. In other words, my cars don’t really progress to the point where I need something more than a damp towel or a light wipe over with an interior detailer. My first response was to use an all-purpose-cleaner.
For the occasional use, APC can be used, but it’s not always ideal. Why? Because the alkalinity of those products can cause damage to sensitive materials, especially on older cars and on certain plastics. It’s also not a good idea to clean leather with an alkaline chemical, especially on a semi-regular basis. Put it this way, you don’t clean your own skin with an alkaline soap, so why would you do that to the skin of your car seats?
Now, those precautions might sound overly cautious, but if you are working on someone else’s car, turning an interior white due to a reaction with an APC is going to be a massive headache. I will say, a well experienced detailer using an APC will know that product back to front, which poses less of a risk. It’s the less experienced that grab an APC, mix it strong or inaccurately, then going to town on a fragile or aged interior that poses the most risk. That’s why I generally recommend staying away from APC if you can help it.
This is where dedicated interior cleaners come into the equation. You may think this is just a cash grab, but its more about being safe without compromising the cleaning ability or wasting time your time. Of the interior cleaners I have shortlisted here, they are all pH neutral and suitable for use across most interior surfaces, including leather, fabric, vinyl, plastic and rubber. Unlike an interior detailer, they don’t leave protection behind, they are pure cleaners.
Griot’s Interior Cleaner – This is one a few Griot’s products that I have used, but probably my favourite. What sets this interior cleaner apart is the complete lack of scent or colorants, its just does its job without shouting about it. This product can be used in a spray and wipe manner, or dialled up via agitation with a brush or scrub pad. Suitable for all interior surfaces, including leather, fabric, carpet and plastics, it wipes away to leave a residue finish.
Cleaning Ability – 10/10
Protection – Nill
Finish – Matte/OEM
Scent – Nill
DFB Score – 10/10
Gtechniq Tri-Clean – Another all-surface interior cleaner with a pH neutral formulation, this is one of the few products from Gtechniq that I like. Compared to the other cleaners here, Tri-Clean offers antibacterial and antimicrobial qualities, killing 99.9% of bacteria while also absorbing odors. This product seems to better suited to spray and wipe applications, where it delivers a really nice feel under the towel, then flashes away to a residue free finish. It will lather up with a brush as well. The scent is an acquired taste, a strong disinfectant-like aroma that is probably my least favorite aspect of the product. The anti-bacterial aspect probably makes it a good choice for those with small children.
Cleaning Ability – 7/10
Protection – Nill other than being able to kill bacteria
Finish – Matte/OEM
Scent – Pine disinfectant
DFB Score – 8/10
P&S Xpress – I initially bought a small bottle of this product, not expecting much from it. Within 10-seconds of use, I fell in love. For what is a relatively affordable, bulk quantity product, Xpress has a very premium fell to it. It’s fantastic as a spray and wipe cleaner, but add some agitation and it comes alive. It lathers up superbly, lifting dirt into the lather, which can then be easily wiped away with a towel. Again, the finish left behind is a clean, dry and residue free appearance. Being pH neutral, its safe for use across all interior surfaces, leather included. This is another interior cleaner with a subjective scent, but I really like it.
Cleaning Ability – 10/10
Protection – Nill
Finish – Matte/OEM
Scent – Lemon/Lime?
DFB Score – 10/10
Koch Chemie Pol Star – I primarily bought this as a dedicated fabric and carpet cleaner, but it can be used as an all-round interior cleaner as well. Compared to the ready-to-use products listed here, Pol Star was designed to be diluted. KCx suggest dilutions from 5:1 out to 20:1, I have it mixed at 8:1 for heavier cleaning ability. Pol Star is pH neutral and largely free of scent and colorants. I’ve found Pol Star a very effective bulk quantity leather cleaner, it lathers up with a brush or scrub pad to perfection, then wiping away to reveal a completely matte finish. It can also be put into a small foaming bottle.
Cleaning Ability – 10/10
Protection – Said to offer light “conserving” ability
Finish – Matte/OEM
Scent – Nill
DFB Score – 9/10
McKee's Floor Mat & Cargo Liner Rejuvenator – I know, I know, another dedicated product, but hear me out. After trying various APC’s and other cleaners, I just wasn’t getting the finish I was looking for when it came to cleaning rubber floor mats and cargo liners. I tried a product from Chemical Guys that was supposed to clean and refresh, but it was absolutely useless. I then bought a bottle of this MeKee’s and haven’t looked back. Teamed with a dedicated tyre brush, this product lathers up to perfection, rinses away and dries to reveal a completely clean rubber floor mat. If I could, I would use APC here rather than having yet another product in the cabinet, but this stuff works!
Cleaning Ability – 10/10
Protection – Nill
Finish – Matte/OEM
Scent – Slight chemical aroma
DFB Score – 10/10
A General Warning About Interior Cleaners – I once had a rep tell me that if you are using cleaning chemicals on or around buttons and switches, that its better to use one of the many interior detailers on the market. These products have an element of IPA within their formulars, which is primarily used to help deliver a streak free finish. However, that IPA aspect also helps if you get some residue around buttons and their connections, in effect it flashes away rather than staying wet and causing long term damage.
Interior Detailers –
For the most part, interior detailers are a relatively recent growth area of the car care sector. Yes, they existed before this, but not to the extent that they do now. I’ll go out on a limb and say that most of us here are only ever going to need an interior detailer on their own cars. These products are generally milder in cleaning ability and primarily used to remove dust, fingerprints and the odd scuff. They can be used across all surfaces, including screens, leather and even glass. Some of them also contain mild dressing potential, anti-static properties and an element of UV protection. It’s to the point now that I don’t actually bother to apply a dedicated interior dressing such as 303, Perl or Hyper Dressing.
Note – Scoring for cleaning ability here will be lower than noted for the cleaner section above. This reflects how interior detailers are less cleaning orientated, however this doesn’t necessarily reflect my overall score.
Auto Finesse Spritz – Another British brand, another crap product. It’s thoroughly unremarkable that I really don’t have anything to say about it. The fruity bubble gum scent is weird, especially after sitting for a few minutes. In any case, it seems this brand is relegated to the UK now, it's been dumped in Australia, and I’m not sure about the US market, they are basically the UK equivalent of Chemical Guys.
Cleaning Ability – 0/10
Protection – UV and Anti-static inhibitors
Finish – Matte to Satin
Scent – Fruit Punch
DFB Score – 1/10
Armour Detail Supply Pilot – This is a bit of an inbetweener in that it seems to offer more cleaning ability than most here, but also containing the anti-static and UV inhibitors common to most here too. I love the scent, I love the feeling it has under the towel, it cleans really well, and finishes out to natural, OEM finish. This is my current favourite interior product, be that a cleaner or detailer. Actually, its one of my favourite detailing products full stop.
Cleaning Ability – 7/10
Protection – UV, Anti-static and Microbial inhibitors
Finish – Matte/OEM
Scent – “Spiced Pear”
DFB Score – 10/10
Carpro InnerQD – This is another product I instantly fell for. I really like how InnerQD wipes on and tends to flash away quite quickly, making it ideal for use on interiors with a lot of glossy trims. Unlike some interior detailers, InnerQD doesn’t alter the look of the treated surface, again, desirable on gloss trims. I’ve found it better than others on screens, and its nice for a quick wipe down of leather. The lemon scent is pleasant although pretty strong, so it does tend to linger for a while. I remember when this product first went on sale, people were asking me how this differs from the very similar Meguiar’s Quick Interior Detailer, other than the higher price. Well, they function very similarly, the Meg’s offering a touch of enhancement/dressing potential, while InnerQD smells much better and offers an anti-static property.
Cleaning Ability – 6/10
Protection – UV and Anti-static inhibitors
Finish – Matte/OEM
Scent – Lemon
DFB Score – 9/10
DIY Detail Interior Clean & Protect – This product seems to offer a little more cleaning ability than most listed here, likewise offering more “dressing” potential in offering a satin sheen. It can be used across all surfaces, apparently Alcantara too. The key point of difference here being the apple scent, a refreshing point of difference to all of the lemon scented interior cleaning products on the market. A very competent product, just one that I don’t love.
Cleaning Ability – 7/10
Protection – UV Inhibitor
Finish – Matte to Satin
Scent – Apple
DFB Score – 7/10
Ethos Interior Detailer – Another interior detailer that offers more dressing potential. If you prefer a more obvious before and after, this is your product. Having said that, it won’t create slickness or a greasy finish, just an enhanced OE look. I would use this for the delightful scent alone, the coconut aroma lingers in the cabin for longer than most. This product does seem to be better suited to spray and wipe applications, and I’ve found it a touch smeary on gloss surfaces. Still, a very nice product.
Cleaning Ability – 6/10
Protection – UV inhibitor, odour prevention
Finish – Satin Sheen
Scent – Coconut
DFB Score – 8/10
Gyeon Interior Detailer – While it smells nice, that classic Carpro/Gyeon scent, I really don’t like this product. To me, it feels like it has too much IPA in it, leaving the treated surface with a dry appearance. While its ok on glossy trims to deliver a streak free finish, everywhere else its too harsh. I also found it lacked any meaningful cleaning ability outside of dusting.
Cleaning Ability – 1/10 (Little to none)
Protection – Nill
Finish – Matte/OEM
Scent – Fresh
DFB Score – 2/10
Koch Chemie ASC – This stuff has that unique KCx scent, but from my use, it has the least cleaning ability of this bunch. It’s an ok product, ideal for fingerprint removal and light dusting of glossy trims and screens because it leaves no residue behind. But frankly, I think there are way better options out there, even a damp towel will do what this does.
Cleaning Ability – 1/10
Protection – Nill
Finish – Matte/OEM
Scent – Pleasant, fresh
DFB Score – 2/10
Meguiar’s Quick Interior Detailer – There seems to be two versions of this product, the retail version sold in small trigger bottles, and the gallon size in the Detailer range. Unless you like the smell of stale vinegar, stay away from the gallon size. Now, I can hear you say, scent isn’t everything, but I found it was making a freshly cleaned customer car smell worse than when they arrived for treatment. That said, what I love about this product is how it offers a slight enhancement but largely leaves a completely matte, dry finish………………no gloss, no greasiness. It offers some mild UV protection as well. In the retail size, this is an excellent product, in gallon size, its counterproductive.
Cleaning Ability – 7/10
Protection – UV inhibitors
Finish – Matte/OEM
Scent – Lemon
DFB Score – 7/10 (RTU), 0/10 (gallon, the stench is that bad)
Nextzett Cockpit Premium – Like ADS Pilot, this is another hybrid cleaner/detailer. Again, it seems to offer more cleaning ability, but also leaves behind UV protection as well. Most don’t like the lemon scent, but it doesn’t bother me. I really love the residue free finish it leaves behind. In Australia, it seems pretty well priced too, undercutting InnerQD.
Cleaning Ability – 9/10
Protection – UV inhibitors
Finish – Matte/OEM
Scent – Lemon
DFB Score – 7/10
P&S Swift – This is another product I instantly liked. Relatively new on the market, P&S designed this to be an interior finisher, but it can also do some decent cleaning if lathered up with a brush. Like the Ethos Interior Detailer, Swift will leave behind a more noticeable amount of dressing, but still finishes down without a greasy look or feel. Also like the Ethos, it can leave some streaks on glossy surfaces. The “orange-sickle” scent is completely unique, a real treat compared to the usual lemon found in these products. My favorite use for Swift is on rubber floor and cargo mats, it offers just the right amount of enhancement without creating a slippery surface. One of P&S’s best products.
Cleaning Ability – 8/10
Protection – UV inhibitors
Finish – Satin Sheen
Scent – “Orange-sickle”
DFB Score – 10/10
WoWo’s Interior Finisher – I only bought this because it was on clearance. As the name suggests, this is an interior finisher, so it's more of a mild dressing and wouldn’t be ideal for light cleaning like others here. For that reason, I would keep it off screens and glossy surfaces and stick to plastics, vinyl and leather. Delivering a satin finish, it also contains anti-static and UV inhibitors. Like all WoWo’s products, this is a good, but not GREAT product.
Cleaning Ability – 5/10
Protection – UV and Anti-static inhibitors
Finish – Satin Sheen
Scent – Mint
DFB Score – 3/10
The Alternative Way –
As always in detailing, there are many ways to arrive at the same result. Just because a product implies that its for exterior use, that doesn’t necessarily mean it can’t be used on the interior as well……………………..
Rinse-less & Waterless Wash – I think the use of these products as interior cleaners is quite overlooked. What I love about using a rinse-less for interior cleaning and dusting is how mild they are on treated surfaces. I will often use ONR for interior wipe downs, from plastic to leather. For filthy interiors, I like the idea of having a bucket of rinse-less mixed up to soak down towels with cleaning solution while also allowing you to rinse them out as needed. Super safe and super economical.
Exterior Detail Sprays / Quick Detailers – For a while, I was using Meguiar’s Last Touch and P&S Paint Gloss for interior dusting/wipe downs. Typically used as a drying aid or gloss enhancer on paint, surprisingly these products work just as well on the interior without making treated surfaces shiny. These two have some anti-static properties to them, which can also help when used as a "vacuum aid" for pet hair and sand removal on carpet. And finally, they bring a nice scent to the interior.
H2O – While I love using specific products for specific roles, the reality is, sometimes all you need is a damp towel. This would apply to a well maintained interior where you are simply removing dust build up, a situation where you frankly don’t need a product at all.
Associated Tools and Accessories –
Cleaning chemicals are only as good as the towels and tools they are teamed with. Some of the following will be subjective, at the very least use this list as a starting point.
Brushes –
For interior work, I think you want both boars hair and synthetic bristle brushes. The firmer boars hair is ideal for cleaning harder surfaces, the soft synthetic for glossy trims and delicate finishes. You also need a leather cleaning brush and a firm carpet brush.
Detail Factory boars hair brush -
Detail Factory synthetic bristle brush -
These small brushes come in handy for cleaning pedals or getting crud out of seat stitching and seams.
Towels & Pads –
A scrub pad or mitt can make short work of larger surfaces. These have stiff fabric bristles that deep clean hard plastics and leather.
In most cases I prefer square towels, but on the interior, I prefer a larger rectangular towel. The TRC Car Wash Towel are brilliant here as they are perfectly sized, soft enough to be safe but firm enough to be effective. I’ve also found them to be extremely durable, even after years and years of hard work. An alternative would be something like the TRC Edgeless 365 or Creature.
I think you also need a couple of microfiber applicators, these always come in handy to applying a dressing or even cleaning glass.
Final Thoughts -
So, which of the above should you buy?
P&S Xpress is going have you 99% covered when it comes to interior cleaning. It works safely on all surfaces, is affordable and can also be diluted if you want or need. If you have rubber floor mats, I also think you want McKee's product too.
For an interior detailer with a natural finish, I can't go past Armour Detail Supply Pilot, its just so nice in every way. I know scent is subjective, but I would use this product for the scent alone. If that spicy pear scent doesn't appeal, Capro InnerQD was my previous favorite and is still a stellar product.
If you prefer a more obvious before and after, then P&S Swift is easily my pick here. It strikes a great balance between cleaning and dressing, smells unique and looks great.
And if you want to dispense with a collection of products, just grab your favorite rinse-less wash, then mix it in a dedicated spray bottle. Simple, cheap and easy.
Happy cleaning!
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