We've gone no-nonsense here because finding proper, effective upholstery cleaners for your car can be a headache-inducing exercise. To save you extra cost on Nurofen, we've done the hard work for you.
Upholstery cleaners are a tricky thing. They are burdened with a single, formidable task of getting the marks out of car interiors. Because so many products claim to be successful in this area, the true challenge comes in knowing which products can and which products can't pass muster.
Fortunately, you have CAR at hand to advise on which car upholstery cleaners are proven to work. What we've done here is provide a selection of effective upholstery cleaners, general detail cleaners, and bona fide stain removers. The good thing is that you don't have to pay much for a good concoction.
Best upholstery cleaners
Best for easy use
There is no foaming theatrics from Autoglym's interior shampoo, just low-key spray-on results. This is a superb interior cleaner you can use on most surfaces apart from leather. It's difficult to overemphasize how great this cleaner is at dealing with soiled upholstery.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Little mess
Cons
- You'll need everything else
Best foaming upholstery cleaner
The name you know well and big names don't always produce results. Yet Turtle Wax does with its upholstery cleaner. This stuff foams, and you need to apply it quite generously (you don't need to go overboard) to fabrics and upholstery. It's good for lightly stained seats and also removes odours.
Pros
- Built-in brush
Cons
- Not as effective on heavy stains
Best stain removers
Best stain remover
For stubborn stains, look to dedicated stain removers. This offering from Greased Lightning is a case in point. Spray it and let it soak in (test on an inconspicuous area first, of course), then wipe it with a cloth. Grease, coffee, and food stains are all dealt with. The large one-litre bottle means it lasts too.
Pros
- Heavy duty
Best for Alcantara
The Colourlock Fabric Cleaner Kit is a proper stain remover that is delicate enough to even be used on fabric as fussy as Alcantara if needs be. You only need a small amount to damp a cloth and lightly rub onto stains. The waterproofer helps repel any future stains.
Pros
- Comprehensive set to lift your stains
- Can be used on a range of fabrics, including Alcantara
Cons
- Expensive option
Best interior detail cleaners
Best dashboard cleaner
These extra-strength Armor dashboard wipes are perfect for cleaning a whole host of different surfaces, making them the perfect choice for tackling dashboards. Vinyl, rubber or plastic - these wipes are designed to lift dirt, dust and grime from most surface types, leaving a pleasant citrus fragrance on their wake. Worried your wipes may dry out between cleaning sessions? Fear not, for this pack of dashboard wipes features a Smart Seal lid to keep them primed and ready to go at a moment's notice.
Pros
- Great for a detailed clean
Cons
- Not as effective on car seats
Best value interior cleaner
The Sonax version of Griotus Garage Interior cleaner. Similarly universal in what surfaces it can be used on, you'll find this German-made cleaner thoroughly dependable.
Pros
- Dependable cleaner
- Effective on nearly all surfaces
Cons
- Better options