Chemical Guys Total Interior Cleaner Review – Does It Live Up to the Hype?
When it comes to all-in-one interior cleaners, Chemical Guys Total Interior Cleaner & Protectant is one of the most popular options on the market. But popularity doesn’t always mean performance. We put it to the test on real car interiors and compared it directly to Complete Cabin Cleaner from Jimbo’s Detailing to see how it really stacks up.
What is Chemical Guys Total Interior Cleaner?
Chemical Guys markets Total Interior Cleaner as a one-step solution for cleaning and protecting virtually every interior surface — from dashboards and door panels to infotainment screens and leather seats. It’s designed to leave behind a protective layer to help resist UV damage and light dust buildup.
How We Tested It
We applied Chemical Guys Total Interior Cleaner on three vehicles — a daily driver SUV, a black-interior sedan, and a lightly soiled pickup. We tested on:
- Dashboard plastics
- Leather seats
- Infotainment touchscreens
- Center consoles
- Gloss black trim
Performance Results
Cleaning Power
Total Interior Cleaner handled light dust and fingerprints well, but required multiple passes to remove stubborn grime. On steering wheels and armrests with body oil buildup, performance dropped off compared to Complete Cabin Cleaner, which cut through buildup in fewer passes.
Finish & Appearance
The product left a slightly glossy finish on plastics — which some might like — but it wasn’t truly matte. If you want a true OEM-style, streak-free finish, Complete Cabin Cleaner delivered better results.
Surface Safety
Chemical Guys Total Interior Cleaner is marketed as safe for all surfaces, and in our tests it did not cause discoloration or haze. However, on sensitive high-gloss touchscreens, we found it occasionally left smudges unless buffed with a clean microfiber.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Safe for most interior surfaces
- Convenient all-in-one formula
- Light, pleasant scent
Cons
- Struggles with heavy grime
- Not a true matte finish
- May require extra buffing on screens
How It Compares to Complete Cabin Cleaner
When compared directly, Complete Cabin Cleaner offered stronger cleaning power on tough spots, a true matte OEM finish, and zero streaks on glass or infotainment screens — without the need for a separate protectant. It’s also pH balanced and safe for delicate surfaces.
Verdict – Is It Worth It?
Chemical Guys Total Interior Cleaner is a decent all-in-one for light cleaning, but if you want stronger performance, a matte finish, and streak-free results on every surface, Complete Cabin Cleaner is the better choice.
Upgrade Your Interior Cleaning Game
Get the streak-free, matte OEM finish your car deserves with Complete Cabin Cleaner. Safe on all interior surfaces and tough on dirt, it’s the pro’s choice for a clean, factory-fresh look.
