Interior Detailing Mistakes That Most People Don’t Realize They’re Making
Your car’s interior gets touched more than anything else—steering wheel, buttons, screens, seats, and carpets. But it’s also where a lot of detailers go wrong.
Here are the most common interior detailing mistakes—and how to fix them for a clean, OEM-like finish that lasts.
1. Using All-Purpose Cleaner on Everything
All-purpose cleaners can dry out leather, streak screens, and leave glossy residue where you don’t want it.
What to do instead: Use a dedicated, interior-safe product like Complete Cabin Cleaner. It’s safe on leather, vinyl, rubber, touchscreens, and more—with no shine or stickiness.
2. Spraying Products Directly on Surfaces
Spraying directly onto buttons, vents, or screens can lead to overspray, drips, and electronics damage.
What to do instead: Spray onto a microfiber towel or applicator first—then wipe. It’s safer and more controlled.
3. Forgetting the Seat Tracks and Hidden Areas
Most detailers clean only what they can see. But odors, dust, and crumbs love to hide under the seats and in cupholders, vents, and consoles.
What to do instead: Move the seats forward and back. Clean the rails. Vacuum under the mats. Use brushes or compressed air for tight areas.
4. Using Shiny Dressings on Dashboards
Glossy dressings may look “detailed,” but they attract dust, reflect harsh light, and feel greasy to the touch.
What to do instead: Stick to products that leave a clean, matte finish—like Complete Cabin Cleaner—and avoid silicone-based dashboard sprays altogether.
5. Using One Towel for Everything
Wiping leather seats, dirty door panels, and screens with the same towel spreads oils and scratches delicate surfaces.
What to do instead: Use color-coded or separate towels for glass, leather, and plastics. Always use a clean towel on screens and gauges.
6. Scrubbing Too Hard with the Wrong Tool
Using hard brushes or stiff pads on soft-touch surfaces can cause permanent texture damage or scratches.
What to do instead: Use a soft brush or a Scrub Buddy Pad for deep cleaning plastics, leather, and rubber without harming the surface.
7. Ignoring the Headliner
The headliner collects odors, smoke, and grime over time—but gets overlooked in most interior details.
What to do instead: Spot clean gently using a soft towel with a light mist of Complete Cabin Cleaner. Never oversaturate—it can loosen adhesives.
See our full interior detailing guide:
Interior detailing is all about control, subtlety, and using the right tools. Skip the greasy dressings, harsh cleaners, and rushed wipe-downs—and your car will not only look better, it’ll stay cleaner longer.
🧼 Interior Must-Haves from Jimbo’s:
- Complete Cabin Cleaner – Safe on all interior surfaces
- Scrub Buddy Pad 3-Pack – Gentle yet effective cleaning pads
- Everyday Microfiber Towels – Interior-safe, streak-free towels
Clean smarter—not harder. Your interior will thank you.
