The Truth About Total Reset by Chemical Guys – Is It Just Another Scent Bomb?
We’ve seen this before—big claims, bold packaging, and “odor-eliminating” sprays that never actually fix the problem. Let’s break down what Total Reset really is, and what your car interior actually needs.
What Total Reset Claims
Chemical Guys markets Total Reset as a "molecular-level odor eliminator" with a long-lasting scent and deep odor control. It sounds impressive—but let’s be honest:
- There’s no cleaning chemistry inside
- It’s mostly fragrance + water or light solvent
- The odor “neutralization” effect fades quickly
In reality, it’s a glorified air freshener—not a cleaning solution.
What You’re Actually Spraying
We looked at the ingredients and tested the product. Here’s what stood out:
- Fragrance-first formula—strong citrus scent upfront, but nothing to remove the source of odors
- No surfactants—meaning no ability to clean the dirt, sweat, bacteria, or oils causing smells
- Residue potential—on screens, plastics, and fabrics if overused
The Scent Bomb Problem
Products like Total Reset can make your car smell good—for a day. But then you’re back where you started. And with repeated use, they can layer artificial chemicals on your interior surfaces without removing the root issue.
The Smart Fix: Clean First, Scent Second
Instead of masking smells, remove them. Here’s the system that works:
Step 1 – Complete Cabin Cleaner
- Removes odor-causing grime, not just covers it
- Safe on leather, cloth, vinyl, plastic, glass, screens
- Dries streak-free with a natural OEM matte finish
Step 2 – Scrub Buddy Pad
- Use on seats, door panels, carpets, headliners
- Dislodges gunk from textured surfaces without damaging them
Step 3 – Jimbo’s Air Freshies
- Clean, subtle citrus scent
- No sticky residue, no chemical overload
- Pairs perfectly with a cleaned interior—not a dirty one
The Verdict
It’s not that Total Reset doesn’t smell good—it’s that it doesn’t solve the real problem. If you want your interior to actually smell clean and stay clean, the spray-only scent bomb approach isn’t the answer.
Try this instead:
- Complete Cabin Cleaner – Clean all surfaces safely
- Scrub Buddy Pad – Agitate without damage
- Air Freshies – Finish with a real scent, not a chemical mask
Smart Detailing Wins Every Time
Professional detailers don’t use scent bombs. They clean first—then finish with purpose. Now you can do the same.
