Why should we consider car cleaning kits? For starters, we car fans possess enviable, if not slightly disturbing, love affairs with our cars, which often extend to finding the very best car cleaning products. You'll often see us slumped over our engine bays on a Sunday morning, detailing our motors to an immaculate level.
Car cleaning is quite therapeutic, and you can reach levels of zen that yoga masters only dream about. Furthermore, having a complete set of car cleaning products, including the right car shampoo, is as pleasurable and satisfying as a clean car itself. All lined up on the shelf in perfect uniformity.
The best car cleaning kits at a glance:
Best comprehensive car cleaning kit (Editor's pick): Autoglym Supreme Car Care Collection - buy from Amazon.
Best value car cleaning kit: CarPlan Demon Care Cleaning Kit - buy from Amazon.
Best pressure washer car kit: Nilfisk Core 140 Power Control Car Edition - buy from Amazon.
Below, you'll find a shortlist of the best car cleaning kits. We've picked each one specifically because they all have a range of top products and even some handy solutions like alloy wheel cleaners. On top of this, you may be able to wiggle out of paying for these yourself if you drop a discreet (or not so discreet) 'ahem, car cleaning stuff, ahem, early birthday present' to your household.
The best car cleaning kits:
Best comprehensive car cleaning kit (Editor's pick)
Description
This is the most comprehensive car cleaning kit here. We like a lot of Autoglym's gear because it simply works, and many of our favourites are included in this kit. These included Rapid Ceramic Spray, Super Resin Polish and Vinyl & Rubber Care. The Autoglym Collection includes products for interior, exterior, and wheels, plus applicators. It is ideal for those looking for a foundation set that covers all bases or as a gift.
Pros
- Great for a deep clean
- Storage bag
- Super Resin Polish is superb
Cons
- Probably won't use the tyre dressing much
Best value car cleaning kit
Description
We like value for money here and heartily recommend such products that still do the job. With the exception of the air freshener, this kit from CarPlan is brilliant. Although not as durable as a proper wax, the spray-on shine is ideal for people who really can't be bothered polishing or waxing their car properly.
Pros
- Spray shine is very convenient
- Correct types of cleaning products included
- Very affordable
Cons
- Air freshener isn't nice
- Other products are more effective
Best snow foam kit
Description
Unlike almost every snow foam kit out there, the one from Meguiar's fits both Karcher and Nilfisk pressure washers. Gold Class is a double act; it can be used as a snow foam but also as a regular car shampoo. It's excellent as either - it's also biodegradable. Meanwhile, the snow foam cannon pressure washer attachment helps produce very rich foam.
Pros
- Universal adaptors included
- Great fun
- One of the best snow foam cannons
Cons
- Can be easy to chew through 473ml
Best pressure washer car kit
Description
The stylish Core 140 is one of our favourite pressure washers. It's the balance between powerful and compact, and it's cleverly packaged to house all the attachments. Now you can have this stellar machine, which includes a collection of nozzles plus a snow foam cannon and car brush.
Pros
- One of the best domestic pressure washers
- Snow foam cannon and brush included
- Right-angle nozzle for wheel arches and car underside
Cons
- Only comes with a one-size hose pipe adaptor
Best cleaning kit for a showroom-like feel
Description
Cars on display in showrooms are generally kept spotless from the bottom up from dust or the occasional handprint. To achieve that same level of detail, King of Sheen offers a waterless cleaning kit designed to give your car that very same feeling.
It comes with six 500ml bottles, from tyre cleaner to vinyl cleaner, and includes a handy vent brush to attend to the dust gathered in your car's air vents. It's important not to treat the cleaning kit as a replacement to washing your car. It's more of a 'finishing touch' approach if that's what you're after.
Pros
- Comes with lots of equipment
- Vent brush is a handy tool
Cons
- 500ml bottles can be gone through fairly quickly
Best for aromas
Description
If you like aromas, this Autobrite Essential Detailing kit is for you. The polish and wax smell of chocolate and the interior cleaner emits a lasting fresh fragrance. Beyond the aromas, this kit cleans very well too and has fantastic applicators for a detailed clean.
Pros
- Many applicators
- Amazing aromas
- Fantastic gift
Cons
- The synthetic wool wash mitt isn't the best
Best for interiors
Description
The interior of a car is where we spend almost all of our time, from commuting to the odd road trip. Therefore, a dedicated cleaning kit for it is important for both atmospheric and hygiene reasons. With Autoglym's interior kit, you get three 500ml bottles which can tend to the upholstery, plastics, rubber, and glass.
Pros
- Non-greasy interior cleaners
- Good value
- Includes CAR top-rated interior dressings and shampoos
Cons
- 500ml bottles don't last too long
Best cleaning kit for paintwork care
Description
If you are finickity about the condition of a car's paintwork, grab this kit from Meguiars. It offers a full arsenal of effective weaponry specifically tasked to restore and rejuvenate paintwork. The five-inch polishing machine is dual action, so it's easy to use and speed variable is between 3000 and 7500opm for applying compound, finish polish, and wax. The branded kit bag is quite cool too.
Pros
- Makes paintwork look incredible
- Heavier compound and finer polish included
- Dual action polisher with appropriate pads
Cons
- Only worthwhile for very enthusiastic DIY car detailers
Best cleaning kit for ragtop cars
Description
There are a few of us who own soft top cars, which we love dearly. Keeping the roof in prime condition is important not only for appearances but also condition and longevity of the fabric. This Turtle Wax All-in-One Soft Top kit has a cleaner for removing dirt and a conditioner for weather protection and water repellency.
Pros
- Quick and easy
- Affordable
- Effective
Cons
- 500ml bottles are easy to chew through
What to look for in a car cleaning kit:
Car cleaning is more than just a dash of shampoo and a spritz of wheel cleaner. It's also polishing, waxing and enough accessories to make your eyes roll. With this in mind, your best bet is to look at what products of a car cleaning kit you'll actually need, as opposed to buying a selection of products that'll sit unused on a garage shelf.
For the total beginner, a set with buckets, wash mitts and barrel brushes will be a good way of getting all the basics to hand before you need to get to work. These sets are excellent because they're non-consumable, they'll last until they break, making them excellent investment pieces. There are more specialised products for the intermediate cleaner, such as bird dropping remover.
Plus, you'll be able to save a bit of cash with a bundle as opposed to buying everything separately.
For verdicts, scoops, news and analysis from the team, delivered direct to your inbox, subscribe to the CAR newsletter.
You can enjoy CAR in its traditional print format, or one of the swelling number of digital editions, optimised for Apple iPhones, Android devices, iPads, tablets and desktop computers.
Myles Warwood is an Autos Products Writer for CAR, specialising in e-bikes and F1. He's a particular lover of hot hatches and cycling.