The upholstery of your car can become dirty fairly quickly from various different types of dirt. By using a dedicated car upholstery cleaner, you can rest assure that it’s safe to use on all automotive surfaces and that it provides excellent cleaning power.
The best car upholstery cleaner is dependent upon the type of surface that you are cleaning. The Meguiar’s G7919 is the best at removing stubborn dirt on carpets, headliners and cloth seats. For other auto types of upholstery, the Adam’s Interior Detailer is the best option.
Car interior cleaners need to be able to clean all surfaces, remove stains and odors whilst still being safe to use. This is a tough job and we recommend that you stick to products from an automotive background and those that are safe for all automotive surfaces.
Table of Contents
Car Interior Cleaner Comparison
| Car Interior Cleaner | Type | Size(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Meguiar's G9719 | Fabrics | 19 oz |
| Adam's Interior Detailer | Leather, Vinyl, Plastics | 16 - 640 oz |
| CarGuys Super Cleaner | All Surfaces | 18 - 128 oz |
| Chemical Guys Lightning Fast | Stain Remover | 16 - 128 oz |
| Chemical Guys Total Interior | Leather, Vinyl, Plastics | 16 - 128 oz |
| Turtle Wax T-246R1 | Fabrics | 18 oz |
| Mothers 05424 | Fabrics | 24 oz |
| Blue Coral DC22 | Fabrics | 22.8 oz |
| Armor All 7333 | Fabrics | 22 oz |
| Aero Cosmetics Interior Cleaner | Fabrics | 16 oz |
The interior of your car is where you spend most of your time driving but still people avoid giving it a good clean. The exterior of the car receives hundreds of dollars worth in detailing products each year, so why not spend the same inside the car?
Below is a list of the best car upholstery cleaners that are safe to use and effectively remove dirt, stains and bad odors.
The Best Car Upholstery Cleaner
1. Meguiar’s G9719 Auto Upholstery Cleaner
Meguair’s are one of the most reputable detailing brands and their carpet and car upholstery cleaner (G9719) is a highly rated option. It’s a professional strength formula that provides a deep clean and easily removes stubborn stains and odors from various auto fabrics.
The brand doesn’t provide a brush with this cleaner, so we highly recommend that you purchase one to work the product into the upholstery. In terms of using this cleaner, you will want to spray it onto the work area, wait 10 minutes and then work it into the dirt.
Other features of the Meguiar’s G9719 include:
- Dual purpose sprayer for general or spot cleaning
- Dries quickly without any residue
- Fast acting foam
- Ideal for carpet, cloth seats, headliner and more
- Penetrates and dissolves stains
- Fresh scent
Although expensive, it’s the best car upholstery cleaner to use for fabrics. This can include cleaning the headliner, carpet, seats and other automotive fabrics. It provides excellent deep cleaning qualities and removes even the most stubborn of stains and odors with ease.
Check it Out2. Adam’s Car Interior Detailer
For those looking to clean vinyl, leather and plastics inside their car, the Adam’s Interior Detailer is the perfect option. It comes in several sizes and different scents which include pumpkin spice, coffee and other interesting options.
Thanks to clever automotive cleaning technology, this car interior cleaner is able to stay cleaner for longer periods. It has been developed using advanced polymers that aren’t greasy and aim to prevent any dust building up as well as any unwanted odors.
Other features of the Adam’s Interior Detailer include:
- Eliminates dirt, dust and body oils
- Anti static and dust resistant
- Advanced UV protection
- Dual purpose sprayer
- Ideal for leather, plastic, vinyl, dash and more
- Odor neutralizers kill unwanted smells
- Choice of scents available
It’s the best car interior cleaner for leather, vinyl and plastics that lasts far longer than many of the alternatives. When used alongside the Meguair’s interior car cleaner above, you are able to achieve a professional finish to your car’s interior each and every time.
Check it Out3. CarGuys Super Cleaner For Car Upholstery
By far the most popular car upholstery cleaner on the market is the CarGuys Super Cleaner. It’s designed to be used on virtually any surface and has recently been improved by the brand with a new spray bottle, which is much easier to use.
It’s most effective when used upon surfaces made from plastic, rubber, vinyl, leather or other automotive fabrics. The brand states that it’s a multi-purpose cleaner and it can even be used as an engine degreaser if required.
Other features of the CarGuys Super Cleaner include:
- Suitable for all auto upholstery
- No harmful chemicals or glossing agents
- Can be used for multiple applications
- No residue left behind
- Available as a 18 oz or 128 oz bottle
- Made in the USA
The CarGuys Super Cleaner works on every automotive surface and is strictly a cleaner with no harmful chemicals. This means that no residue is left behind when wiped clear, which provides far better results. It’s one of the best car upholstery cleaner products on the market that’s versatile and won’t disappoint.
Check it Out4. Chemical Guys Car Stain Remover
The Chemical Guys Lightning Fast is a concentrated formula that’s specifically designed for auto upholstery. The powerful formula fights heavy stains with ease and without damaging any coloring of the fabric upholstery, which is common with other cheap products.
Due to the high concentration (20:1), you will want to dilute the formula with distilled water. However, if the car stain is fairly tough and in large quantities, you can keep the formula strong, which makes it even more effective.
Other features of the Chemical Guys Lightning Fast include:
- Dilutes with water at 20:1
- Hyper-cleaning formula removes tough stains
- Cleans and deodorizes
- Can be bought in bulk for extra value
- Versatile formula
- Advanced cleaning agents
- Ideal for all fabric auto upholstery
The Chemical Guys Lightning Fast formula is the best car stain remover that’s safe to use and provides quick results. It’s highly concentrated, which means that you can also dilute it to best suit your requirements. After usage, it’s designed to help reduce further staining, which is another great benefit of this product.
Check it Out5. Chemical Guys SPI22016 Total Interior Cleaner
Another popular car upholstery cleaner by the Chemical Guys brand is their Total Interior Cleaner. It’s designed to clean and protect most surfaces inside of your car with a formula that won’t spot, stain or etch sensitive materials.
A unique feature of this car upholstery cleaner is that it protects against fading and discoloration from harsh UV rays.
Other features of the Chemical Guys Total Interior Cleaner include:
- Available as a 16 or 128 oz bottle
- Safe for most automotive surfaces
- Contains disinfecting properties
- Leaves behind zero residue
- Versatile and gentle formula
- Shines and protects
The Chemical Guys Total Interior Cleaner is an excellent all-round option that’s safe to use on all automotive surfaces. It’s a versatile formula that not only cleans but also protects the interior from future staining or fading from UV rays.
Check it Out6. Turtle Wax T-236R1 Interior Car Cleaner
Turtle Wax are a huge detailing company that produce a range of affordable yet effective products. An example of their great reputation is this popular interior cleaner, which can be used on carpets, upholstery fabrics, plastic or vinyls for removing stains and odors with ease.
The bottle itself has a detachable micro scrub brush that allows for deep cleaning of fabrics and is able to remove even the toughest of stains or odors.
Other features of the Turtle Wax Car Interior Cleaner include:
- Triple action formula that cleans, deodorizes and protects
- Infused with “Oxy” cleaners for professional results
- Safe and effective on light or dark interiors
- “Micro Scrub” brush on the bottle
- Formulated with oxygenated cleaners
- Encapsulates and removes odors
- Produces a soil repelling silicone shield of protection
The Turtle Wax T-236 R1 Power Out formula is a high performing upholstery cleaner that features an integrated brush on the bottle. It offers the best value for money and is usable for both dark or light interiors.
Check it Out7. Mothers Carpet & Auto Upholstery Cleaner
The Mothers 05424 formula is another popular option that’s designed to clean all fabric auto upholstery. It’s simply to apply with the trigger spray bottle and is effective when used on vinyl, velour, carpet and sheepskin upholstery.
For the best results, the brand state that you should spray the cleaner, brush it into the stain and then finish up with a vacuum.
Other features of the Mothers 05424 include:
- pH balanced formula
- All fabric cleaner auto and home use
- Environmentally friendly
- Pulls out stubborn car stains
- 24 oz trigger spray bottle
- Satisfaction guarantee
As it’s a pH balanced formula, it won’t discolor any fabrics, which is a common issue with other similarly priced cleaners. Overall, it’s a cheap car upholstery cleaner that works perfectly for tackling tough dirt and stains that have accumulated inside your car overtime.
Check it Out8. Blue Coral DC22 Auto Upholstery Cleaner
If you are looking for the cheapest car interior cleaner that lasts multiple applications, the Blue Coral DC22 is the best option. It’s not a large brand in the automotive industry but this cleaner is one of the most popular within this article.
According to the brand, it’s effective upon grease, tar, coffee, lipstick, ink and several other stains that can be found upon the car’s upholstery.
Other features of the Blue Coral DC22 include:
- Effective brush on bottle cap
- Lifts tough stains with ease
- Bulk options for extra value
- Easy grip of the bottle
- 22.8 oz of the formula
- Effective car stain remover for tough stains
The Blue Coral DC22 is a highly effective car upholstery cleaner that won’t disappoint. Although it’s one of the cheapest, it can still outperform many of the premium options on the market. The addition of the brush, which wasn’t found on its predecessor is a great inclusion that makes it even more versatile.
9. Armor All Oxi Magic Car Upholstery Cleaner
The Armor All Oxi Magic is an affordable interior cleaner that deep cleans with a powerful “Oxygen” action. The brand state that it can tackle the toughest of automotive stains, which includes mud, oil, grass and much more.
This car upholstery cleaner is best suited to fabrics that require cleaning as the Oxi Magic formula dissolves any dirt that it comes into contact with.
Other features of the Armor All Oxi Magic include:
- Oxygen action that dissolves on contact
- Tackle stubborn dirt and stains
- Penetrates deep into the fabric fibers
- Large 22 oz bottle that goes along way
- Pleasant scent left behind after use
Overall, it’s a cheap car upholstery cleaner that provides great results on most automotive fabrics. Whether you have recently spilled coffee or have stubborn stains to tackle, the Oxi Magic formula is more than ideal.
Check it Out10. Aero Cosmetics Car Interior Cleaner
Another affordable option is by the Aero Cosmetics brand, who are well-known for their waterless car wash. However, their cost effective car upholstery cleaner is suitable for tackling dirt upon fabric, leather, trim panels and many other automotive surfaces.
As with many of the brands other detailing products, this upholstery cleaner also meets the Boeing Aircraft Interior Specification and Airbus AIMS standards.
Other features of the Aero Cosmetics Cleaner include:
- Safe to use on all interior types
- Aviation grade quality
- Made in the USA
- Available as a 16 or 32 oz bottle
- Fast acting formula
- Easy to use
The Aero Cosmetics car interior cleaner offers outstanding value for the money considering its high quality formula. Its fairly unique as there aren’t many other cleaning products that meet the high standards that this formula does.
Check it OutCar Interior Cleaner Buying Guide
The interior of your car is where you spend a lot of time. Therefore, it’s worthwhile keeping it clean and free of stains or bad odors. To do this, you will want to use a car upholstery cleaner that’s safe to use inside of your car and avoid any strong domestic alternatives.
Many people can damage their upholstery by using something that would be better used within their home than upon automotive surfaces.
When it comes to tough stains and odors within fabrics, you may need to purchase additional brushes to work in the product. If you are still unable to remove the dirt, we recommend that you purchase a steam cleaner for car use as well as a dedicated fabric cleaner.
To help you make an informed buying decision, we have produced the below guide regarding car upholstery cleaners.
Types of Car Interior Cleaner Products
Car interiors use contain surfaces that include leather, vinyl, plastic, fabric, alcantara and much more. Therefore, it’s worthwhile purchasing multiple types of car interior cleaner products for the best results rather than an “all in one” cleaner.
For example, you may have the best car carpet cleaner on the market but it wouldn’t be useful for cleaning leather, vinyl or plastics.
There are many all-purpose products but we advise that you purchase cleaners that are dedicated to specific surfaces. This ensures that you can achieve the best possible cleaning results from a single application.
How To Clean Auto Upholstery
When it comes to cleaning car upholstery such as the car seats, door cards, plastic panels and others, you may take a different approach.
For example, when it comes to cleaning fabrics such as the car seats, you will want to use a fabric upholstery cleaner and a brush. The purpose of the brush is to agitate the dirt and help lift it away from the fabric. If you are cleaning leather, you can use a car leather cleaner or an auto upholstery cleaner. Once you have sprayed the cleaner, it can be wiped clear.
Before using any car upholstery cleaner, you want to ensure that any large or loose dirt is cleaned with a sponge and water beforehand. Once dry, you can use the cleaner without the need of scrubbing it in.
The majority of cleaners work by simply spraying it onto the upholstery, letting it soak into the dirt and then wiping it away. It’s that simple and below is the result of doing exactly that on a leather headrest that was fairly dirty.
We used the Adam’s Polishes interior detailer for this piece of dirt on the leather and it works great on other leather surfaces, vinyl and plastic auto upholstery.
Some car interior cleaners may only be suited towards certain types of materials and you should always read the instructions beforehand. Unless you have something fairly special i.e. Alcantara, most formulas are safe to use on a range of materials.
After cleaning any leather upholstery, we highly recommend that you use the best leather conditioner for cars afterwards. This ensures that the leather remains protected from the sun and other elements.
Pleasant Scent
Once you have successfully cleaned and removed any odors from your car upholstery, there will be a distinctive smell as a result. Many brands offer various smelling car interior cleaners and mixing things up is great fun. When testing out the Adam’s Polishes upholstery cleaners, we purchased some of there other cleaners as shown below.
We were surprised by how accurate the smell was and we highly recommend that you try them out for yourselves.
Conclusion
When it comes to the interior of your car, you can spend hours cleaning and using a variety of products. Once you have finished the clean, we recommend treating yourself to a new car air freshener to maintain the pleasant smell.
The interior will always come dirty overtime but cleaning it on a regular basis with the best car upholstery cleaner you can buy will make it far less stressful.
We highly recommend that you combine interior cleaners for the best finish inside of your car. By this statement, we suggest that you choose a dedicated carpet cleaner such as the Meguiar’s and an auto upholstery cleaner such as the Adam’s Interior detailer for other upholstery such as leather, vinyl and plastics.
Before using a car interior cleaner, you want to ensure that the car has been vacuumed thoroughly beforehand. Spraying and working in a car upholstery cleaner can induce scratches and may not be as effective if not vacuumed.
Therefore, we highly recommend purchasing a vacuum for car detailing that comes with a range of attachments for getting into any tights posts inside of the car.
