Car Interior Cleaning

Car interior cleaning is a subject that has been grossly complicated by the industry itself. Take a look at the inside of your car to observe not only the many forms of dirt, but the many forms of materials of which you will be required to try and clean!

The industry would have you buy a special cleaner for every type of material used to build your car. But if you were to follow the lead of the industry, you would have a mountain of products:

• Carpet cleaner
• Vinyl cleaner
• Leather cleaner
• Plastic cleaner
• Interior shampoo
• All purpose cleaner
• Multi-surface cleaner

"Darren, car interior cleaning shouldn't be so confusing but I find myself quickly overwhelmed!"

Car Interior Cleaning Made Simple

Let me bullet point some critical points before I lead to the products that will simplify your world and help you produce professional level results.

• The perfect car upholstery cleaner does not exist (no product will take out every form of dirt/stain within your cars interior.
• Many people have unrealistic expectations (you can't clean 5-10 years worth of acculturated dirt and expect this area of your car to look perfectly new. No car upholstery shampoo is going to be able to do that)
• Regular, basic cleanings will always trump any fervor induced cleaning attempts unleashed on years of untouched dirt in your car. (regular and frequent cleanings are both far easier and quicker in the long run)
• With a few exceptions, virtually any basic cleaners (like the one's below) can be used to clean any material or surface within your cars interior.

Car Upholstery Cleaners

Choosing the best car upholstery cleaner will actually be more about choosing the right"delivery system" rather than thinking you are going to find the "best"!

I have divided the sections into (2) groups based on the volume of car upholstery cleaner needed:

Driveway Detailers:

• Likely to only need a limited amount to first start with.
• Doesn't want to complicate things, but keep things super simple.
• Doesn't want to have to source a separate sprayer/bottle for their choice in a top rated car upholstery shampoo.
• Doesn't want to deal with proper dilution ratios.

Professionals:

• Likely to be doing (or at least hoping) to do many cars.
• Wants the performance, but needs to think economically for the bigger picture of running a professional detailing business.
• Values economy over convenience.
  

Car Interior Cleaning:
What Would Darren Do (WWDD)

People often ask me the same question:

"Darren, just tell me what you would do!"

So, to keep things simple and honest, I’m starting with the exact products and tools I personally use in my professional work—no guesswork, no fluff. I’ll show you exactly what I do.

Car Interior Cleaner

Chemical Guys Fabric Clean on Amazon

Deep-Clean Fabrics Like a Pro – Every Time!
Chemical Guys Fabric Clean Concentrate restores carpets and upholstery to like-new condition with powerful foaming action and odor-eliminating technology trusted by detailers worldwide.

• Restore Fabrics, Carpets & Upholstery Like New!
  Lift dirt, stains, and odors with deep-penetrating, high-sudsing foam that delivers professional-level results on automotive fabrics and interiors.
• Foaming Power That Works Smarter!
  Intense foam lifts grime to the surface for easy removal with a microfiber towel or hot water extractor—no harsh scrubbing required.
• Professional Results Without the Residue!
  This low-moisture, detergent-free formula leaves fabrics soft and clean—no crusty texture, no mildew risk, just a fresh, like-new feel.
• Eliminates Odors at the Source!
  Infused with patented odor-eliminating enzymes that actively destroy odor-causing microbes, not just mask them—say goodbye to lingering smells.
• Economical & Efficient—20:1 Mix Ratio!
  A little goes a long way. Mix just 1 part Fabric Clean with 20 parts water for a powerful cleaning solution that maximizes value and performance.
• Trusted by Pros, Loved by Enthusiasts!
  Chemical Guys is the go-to brand for both beginners and detailing pros—delivering premium products, expert support, and a worldwide car care community.

Car Interior Cleaning Brushes

Car Upholstery Scrub Brush Set on Amazon

Soft Bristle Brush for Leather and Interior Cleaning
This horsehair brush is designed for gentle cleaning on leather and a range of interior surfaces, offering reliable performance without damaging delicate materials.

• Gentle Cleaning for Leather Surfaces
  Soft, long horsehair bristles clean without scratching, making this brush suitable for maintaining leather seats and other delicate interior finishes.
• Versatile Use Across Multiple Surfaces
  Suitable for cleaning car interiors, leather seats, shoes, boots, upholstery, and carpets. Also works well for auto detailing, home use, and general maintenance.
• Removes Loose Surface Debris
  The soft bristles help sweep away dust, pet hair, and light debris, supporting routine cleaning without aggressive scrubbing.
• Comfortable, Ergonomic Handle
  Made from durable ABS plastic, the handle is ergonomically shaped to provide a steady grip and comfort during longer cleaning sessions.
• Durable and Wear-Resistant
  Bristles retain their shape with repeated use, and the handle is built to withstand frequent cleaning tasks, offering consistent performance over time.

Non-Scratch Scrub Pads on Amazon

• Non-scratch —safe for virtually any material in your car
• Easily shapes to your hand and the contours of your car upholstery for car interior cleaning
• Comes in long lengths which means you get more pad for your money, but you can cut to the exact size that is perfect for you
• The exact scrub pads I use professionally -leather and vinyl seating in particular

Car Interior Cleaning Cloths

Microfiber Detailing Cloths on Amazon

• I only use micro-fiber cloths regardless of the detailing task I am doing
• Micro-fibers are safer, more absorbent, and lint free than any of your 100% cotton towels you may currently be using
• The exact micro-fibers cloths I use professionally for 80% of all my interior/exterior detailing tasks (I do keep the more expensive micro fibers on hand for specialty requirements)
  

Driveway Detailers

Not everyone is a professional detailer—and that’s perfectly fine.

Most car owners just want to keep their vehicle looking clean, cared for, and comfortable without overcomplicating things.

If you're someone who simply wants to bring a little beauty and freshness back to your car without needing a garage full of tools or products, you're not alone.

What you need is a simple, effective solution—no mixing, no separate bottles, no guesswork. Just a ready-to-use interior cleaner that gets the job done. And yes, I’ve got just the thing for that.

Griot's Garage Interior Cleaner (RTU)

Griot's Garage Interior Cleaner on Amazon

A Simple, Effective Solution for Cleaning Virtually Every Surface Inside Your Vehicle:

This all-purpose interior cleaner is built for versatility, making it an essential tool for car care and beyond.

• Cleans All Interior Surfaces with Ease
  Safely and quickly removes dirt and grime from seats, dashboards, carpets, and more—ideal for cars, trucks, SUVs, RVs, and even boats.
• No Sticky Residue, No Greasy Buildup
  Leaves behind no film or residue that attracts dust, helping surfaces stay cleaner longer and maintaining a fresh, natural finish.
• Safe for Use on Delicate Materials
  Free from dyes and harsh additives, it's safe for fabrics, vinyl, headliners, door panels, and other sensitive surfaces without risk of discoloration.
• Effortless Application, Professional Results
  Made in the USA to high standards, this cleaner breaks down dirt with minimal scrubbing—making it a reliable addition to any detailing setup.
• Multi-Use Beyond the Garage
  Works just as well around the house—clean shoes, furniture, bags, and more with this versatile, all-in-one cleaning spray.

Car Interior Cleaning Detail Brushes

Unlike the car upholstery scrub brushes from above that will be needed for the bulk of shampooing and cleaning your car interior, the brushes below represent duties of cleaning and detailing the inside of your car with brushes that are of more precision in detailing the nuances and intricate areas of your cars interior.

Maxshine Detailing Brushes

Maxshine Ever-So-Soft Detailing Brushes on Amazon

• Perfect set of detail brushes for the extra sensitive areas of your cars interior
  
• Two sized brushes makes for a perfect detail brush set
  
• One could be dedicated as a dry detail brush, the other could be dedicated to use with car interior cleaners

Car Interior Cleaning Steps

• Choose a Quality Car Upholstery Cleaner
  Select one of the top-rated cleaners from above that suits your needs—pay attention to whether it's a ready-to-use formula or a concentrate.
• Dilute If Needed
  If you’re using a concentrated formula, mix it according to the manufacturer's instructions before applying.
• Pre-Vacuum the Area
  Thoroughly vacuum carpets or cloth upholstery to remove loose dirt and debris — it's always best to remove as much of the dirt while it remains dry before applying any liquid cleaners —this allows the cleaner to work more effectively.
• Apply the Cleaner Lightly
  Spray a light, even mist of upholstery cleaner directly onto the surface. Avoid over-saturating, especially on fabric seats or carpets.
• Agitate with a Scrub Brush
  Use a suitable brush to gently scrub the treated area. This helps lift embedded dirt and stains from the fibers.
• Wipe Up with a Clean Cloth
  Use a clean, absorbent cloth—preferably microfiber—to blot and remove loosened dirt and excess cleaner.
• Repeat as Needed
  Repeat the process as necessary. Keep your expectations realistic—some heavily soiled areas may take more than one pass.

Car Interior Cleaning Doesn’t Need to Be Complicated

You don’t need to study detailing like rocket science just to keep your car clean and looking good.

The truth is, the industry often pushes a different “specialized” cleaner for every surface in your interior—leather, plastic, vinyl, fabric, and so on.

But here’s the reality: one well-formulated cleaner (like any of the products mentioned above, no matter which version you go with) is more than capable of handling all of those surfaces with excellent results.

Forget the marketing hype, the endless labels, and the overpriced “single-surface” products. Most of it is just clever packaging wrapped around the same basic formula. Stick with something simple, effective, and versatile—and keep both your car and your wallet in better shape.

Sincerely,

Darren Priest