The Ultimate Guide to Interior Car Cleaning Products

From dashboards and carpets to door panels and odors—interior detailing can get overwhelming fast. This guide breaks down what actually works, what to avoid, and why switching to pro-grade products like Jimbo’s can save you time and frustration.

Whether you're dealing with pet hair, mystery smells, or sticky fingerprints—this is your go-to interior detailing game plan.

1. All-Surface Interior Cleaners

Skip the clutter of “glass cleaner,” “leather only,” and “vinyl wipes.” A good interior cleaner should safely work across everything—leather, dash, screens, and buttons.

Jimbo’s Complete Cabin Cleaner is pH-balanced, streak-free, and leaves a clean matte finish with no shine or greasiness.

Learn what makes a good all-surface cleaner and why it works better than off-the-shelf alternatives in our deep dive: What Makes a Good Interior Detailer.

2. Odor Eliminators That Actually Work

Masking smells with fruity sprays never works. A real odor eliminator destroys the source—like bacteria, mold, or smoke residue.

Not sure what works and what’s marketing fluff? Read: Best Car Odor Eliminators for Smelly Cars.

Also check out how our Complete Cabin Cleaner stacks up to a popular product in: Total Reset vs Complete Cabin Cleaner.

3. Interior Scrub Pads > Brushes

Scrub pads like the Scrub Buddy give you more control and a safer clean than bristle brushes, especially on textured surfaces like door panels or plastic seats.

Bonus: they won’t leave scratch marks on rubber or gloss black trim.

4. The Right Towels for the Job

Low-pile towels = for glass and screens. High-pile = for wiping down interiors. You don’t need 10 kinds of microfiber, but the wrong one can leave lint or streaks everywhere.

We recommend:

• Everyday Microfiber Towels – general wipe-down and product removal
• Softer Than Soft Towels – for screens, gloss trim, and sensitive surfaces

5. Don’t Use APC Inside Unless You Know What You’re Doing

All-purpose cleaners can be too aggressive for soft-touch plastics and dashboards. They can cause streaks, hazing, or cracking over time.

See our full comparison here: Interior Cleaner vs APC – What’s Safer for Your Dashboard?.

6. Don’t Trust Store Brands Without Reading the Label

Some interior cleaners from big box brands look nice but are either too shiny, overly scented, or just not safe for screens and buttons.

See how our Cabin Cleaner compares to one of the biggest names in the industry: Chemical Guys vs Jimbo’s Interior Cleaners.