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The Best Auto Cleaners

Last updated on August 9, 2024
Categories Cleaning Tags

We looked at the top 7 Auto Cleaners and dug through the reviews from 16 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Auto Cleaners.

 

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Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in a category.

Our Picks For The Top Auto Cleaners

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Key Takeaway
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

Honda Aerosol Spray Polishing Auto Cleaner, 3-Pack

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Honda

Aerosol Spray Polishing Auto Cleaner, 3-Pack

Grease and grime are no match for this heavy-duty auto cleaner. Since the spray also polishes, you won't have to spend any additional time to get your car looking like new. The cleaner is safe to use on a variety of surfaces, including plastics, aluminum, chrome, and even surfaces that are painted.

Overall Take

Stock Up and SaveWith this auto cleaner set, you'll receive three cans for the price of one.

 Runner Up

P21S Stain Removing Orange Scented Auto Cleaner

P21S

Stain Removing Orange Scented Auto Cleaner

If you love citrus scents, you'll want to go with this auto cleaner. Not only will it tackle tough stains, but it will also leave your vehicle smelling like fresh oranges. The attached sprayer makes the cleaner easy to apply on everything from your floor mats to your engine.

Overall Take

Smells GreatThis auto cleaner won't stain your driveway.

 We Also Like

CAR GUYS Multi-Surface Residue Free Auto Cleaner

CAR GUYS

Multi-Surface Residue Free Auto Cleaner

This versatile auto cleaner can work on multiple surfaces, such as upholstery, plastic, canvas, leather, metal and others. It lifts away dirt and grime at a molecular level. The cleaner can replace multiple others in your chemical cabinet.

Overall Take

Versatile ChoiceThis auto cleaner can clean upholstery, canvas, plastic and even leather.

Pros
" Great on rubber, leather and vinyl. Money back guarantee. Safe for navigation screens. Pleasant odor."
Cons
"Following instructions is important, because this powerful cleaner can strip leather and upholstery dye and leave marks."
 Strong Contender

Armor All Interior & Exterior Auto Cleaner Set, 8-Piece

Armor All

Interior & Exterior Auto Cleaner Set, 8-Piece

This handy auto cleaner kit comes with everything a car enthusiast needs to keep their ride looking shiny and new. It comes with wax, glass cleaner, multi-purpose cleaner and much more. The kit also includes a large wash pad.

Overall Take

Everything You NeedThis vehicle care will help you tackle every part of washing and detailing.

Pros
" The wash and wax will break through any grime without leaving streaks. The wheel and tire products will ensure that your tires look clean for a good amount of time."

Buying Guide

Whether a vehicle is brand new or new to you, getting into a shiny and spotless car that smells perfectly clean is pretty exciting. However, after you’ve driven it for a few weeks, that smell and look starts to fade away. While your car may no longer be brand new, you can still keep it smelling and looking new by taking care of it and detailing it with the best auto cleaners.

The key benefit of cleaning your car on a regular basis is that it will keep it looking great. However, a clean car can actually help you feel more relaxed while driving because you won’t be surrounded by clutter and dirt. Not to mention, a clean car could actually lead to safer driving because there will be fewer distractions within your field of vision. You can also increase your visibility by ensuring your windows and windshield are spotless, so you can better see what is going on around you.

Not only is regularly cleaning your car therapeutic for you, but it’s also good for the car. On the exterior of the car, deposits of dirt, salt and other debris can corrode the paint on the vehicle. Similarly, on the inside of the car, spills and dirt can ruin interior features that can have an impact on future trade-in or resale value.

When selecting which auto cleaners to use, the most important aspect is to check what the cleaner is for and to use it accordingly. For example, don’t use an external cleaner on the inside of the car or don’t use an interior cleaner on the engine of the car, even if this seems a harmless move. It’s vital to use the products as designed to avoid damaging any finishes and to get the best results.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
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Products Considered

We identified the majority of the auto cleaners available to purchase.
7

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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16

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: CarCareHunt, House Grail, Wheels Mate, BestReviews, Car Detailing Planet.

214,961

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 7 Auto Cleaners and also dug through the reviews from 16 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Auto Cleaners.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

The Best Bang For Your Buck

Armor All Interior & Exterior Auto Cleaner Set, 8-Piece

Key Takeawy

This handy auto cleaner kit comes with everything a car enthusiast needs to keep their ride looking shiny and new. It comes with wax, glass cleaner, multi-purpose cleaner and much more. The kit also includes a large wash pad.

What other experts liked

The wash and wax will break through any grime without leaving streaks. The wheel and tire products will ensure that your tires look clean for a good amount of time.
- BestReviews
It’s a great option if you are on a tight budget but still want your car to be clean and shiny.
- Car Detailing Planet

What other experts didn't like

The wash pad can collect a fair amount of dirt and pebbles.
- BestReviews

What to Look For

  • How often do you clean your car? Some people actually go years without getting a car wash and simply let rain do the job. However, it’s best to clean the exterior of the car every two weeks or so, according to experts. You can go to a car wash or wash your car by hand. In doing so, you remove any road salt, dirt, pollen, tar, road grime and other things that can dull the surface of your car if left on too long.
  • When it comes to the interior of the car, stick to the same schedule of every two weeks. Getting into the habit of detailing your car will ensure you maintain it well so it always has the lovely new-car smell.
  • The best way to start cleaning the interior of the car is to grab a trash bag and put in any food wrappers, papers, tissues, masks or other items that have accumulated in the car. This small action will immediately make your car look neater.
  • Keep in mind that you will need to vacuum the floor of your car at least twice during the cleaning. The first time is when you will get the surface dust and debris that you can see. After that, you will need to go over it again to get any smaller particles.
  • If you have leather interiors in the car, they will need to be treated frequently, especially if you live in a cold climate. The winter weather can dry out the leather and cause it to crack if it’s not treated properly with the right solution.

More to Explore

While bleach and hydrogen peroxide are often used as cleaners in other environments, they are not ideal chemicals to use on your car. They can actually cause damage to the plastic and vinyl materials used in your vehicle. If you don’t have any auto cleaners on hand, you can use plain old soap and water to clean your car. Avoid using ammonia-based cleaning products on your vehicle at all costs, as well.

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