With more and more new car interiors containing vinyl materials these days, it is important to understand which products are the best, and the safest, to clean your car’s vinyl with. You want to use a product that not only cleans, but it will restore your car’s vinyl to its like-new condition and protect it from stains and damaging UV-rays in the future. In this review we will look at some of the best car vinyl cleaners for 2022.
- CAR GUYS Plastic Restorer
- Carfidant Ultimate Leather Cleaner
- KevianClean Vinyl Protectant
- Meguiar’s Vinyl Cleaner
- Aero Cosmetics Interior Cleaner
- Auto Magic Cleaner
2022’s Best Car Vinyl Cleaner – Top Picks:
| CAR GUYS Plastic Restorer | Carfidant Ultimate Leather Cleaner | KevianClean Vinyl Protectant | Meguiar’s Vinyl Cleaner | Aero Cosmetics Interior Cleaner | Auto Magic Cleaner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Manufacturer Part Number | PR-8OZ | CARF-L301 | KC-24-ID | M-3916 | 728G | 57 |
| Capacity | 8 Oz | 18 oz | 24 oz | 16 oz | 128 oz | 128 oz |
| Country of Origin | USA | USA | USA | USA | USA | USA |
| Price | Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon |
If you listen to the manufacturers of any of these cleaning products, they will all tell you that their product is the best thing since sliced bread. That may be true and it might not. Here are the features we feel an automotive vinyl cleaner should include:
Feel
The last thing you want from any part of your interior is a leftover oily, greasy, or sticky feel. This is especially true for things you come into contact with each time you enter into your car, like the steering wheel or the shift knob.
Best Car Vinyl Cleaner for Feel: CAR GUYS Plastic Restorer
Dust and Dirt Resistance
An interior cleaner should not have to be used on a daily or weekly basis. Some users complain that their choice of vinyl cleaner seems to attract dust almost as fast as they finish using it. If your choice of vinyl cleaner turns into a dust magnet, what good is it really?
Best Car Vinyl Cleaner for Dust and Dirt Resistance: Meguiar’s M3916 Mirror Glaze Heavy Duty Vinyl Cleaner
Safe to Use
Some products contain chemicals that can be harmful to you, your pets, or interior auto materials. The vinyl cleaner you choose to use should be non-toxic and free of any ingredients that could cause damage if it accidentally comes into contact with your skin or other unintended materials in your car’s interior.
Best Car Vinyl Cleaner for Safe Use: KevianClean Interior Defense Car Vinyl Protectant
Ease of Application
An automotive vinyl cleaner should be user-friendly and easy to apply and wipe away. Its container or spray bottle should be designed in such a way that it will be almost effortless to use, easy to apply the cleaner, and also easy to apply in narrow, tight, hard to reach places.
Best Car Vinyl Cleaner for Ease of Application: Carfidant Ultimate Leather Cleaner
CAR GUYS Plastic Restorer
This plastic restorer has a patented, water-based polymer formula that makes it last longer than other detailing products of its kind. It will work on any type of interior or exterior plastic or vinyl material. Because it repels water, you will never get those ugly streaks some products leave after being exposed to water.
This restorer has a creamy feel to it that quickly is absorbed into any vinyl or plastic trim. Many cleaning products on the market remain wet for long periods of time, not this one. Car Guy’s is not greasy or oily to the touch and will dry completely with no sticky residue, even though it retains its wet look. It’s easy to apply and a little product goes a long way. And it is made in the U.S.A.
Pros
- Helps to seal and protect plastic
- Water repellent and resistant
- Leaves a glossy finish
- Environmentally friendly
- Made in the U.S.A.
Cons
- May not drastically improve damaged, sun-faded areas
- Can act as a dust magnet
- Not a concealer – will not totally hide deep scratches
- Users complain that it must be re-applied after a few weeks
Carfidant Ultimate Leather Cleaner
This leather cleaner is fragrance free, contains no dyes, and will not harm leather, bonded leather, vinyl, or any other leather-blended materials. It works really well in removing dirt and stains with no hard scrubbing, bringing back that “like new” look and feel.
This is a professional grade detailing product that is easy for even amateur detailers to use. Just spray it on and wipe away dirt and grime. As with any cleaner of this type, always do a small test in an inconspicuous area to make sure it will not cause any discoloration. Carfidant backs their leather cleaner with a 100% money-back guarantee if you are not totally satisfied with the product.
Pros
- Water-based, non-toxic, and biodegradable
- Works on any type of leather material
- 100% money back guarantee
- Made in the U.S.A.
Cons
- Will not condition leather, needs to be followed with a conditioning product
- May cause discoloration, always test in an inconspicuous area first
KevianClean Interior Defense Car Vinyl Protectant
KevianClean Interior Defense cleans, protects, and provides UV ray protection to all interior car materials and surfaces: dashboards, plastic trim, door panels, leather, rubber, and vinyl. It is never greasy or oily. It will leave behind a finish with a soft, low-gloss shine.
The Interior Defense formula contains a Carnauba additive that conditions as it cleans. It is designed to help prevent the aging, drying, or cracking of your car’s interior components. It is made with natural, eco-friendly ingredients that will give you professional results. KevianClean will leave behind a pleasant lavender fragrance that is far from overpowering.
Pros
- Conditions as it cleans
- Provides UV ray protection
- Eco-friendly formula
- 60 day money back guarantee
- Made in the U.S.A.
Cons
- Not as good on ground in dirt
- Contains a fragrance that some people may not appreciate
- On the pricy side
Meguiar’s M3916 Mirror Glaze Heavy Duty Vinyl Cleaner
Meguiar’s M3916 has a deep cleaning formula that will penetrate and restore your car’s interior vinyl, leather, and plastic. Besides interior parts, Meguiar’s M3916 will also clean vinyl tops and unpainted bumpers and fenders. It will leave behind a non-greasy sheen that will make your interior and exterior vinyl and trim look like it is new again. It also protects against harmful UV rays and will not dull or discolor any surface it accidentally contacts.
If you have wax or polish residue on your plastic trim, this product will remove it completely and leave the surface ready for a follow-up protectant. It does require a little more elbow grease than other cleaners.
Pros
- Provides UV ray protection
- Works great on embedded dirt and grime
- Wipes off – no rinsing required
- Will not cause material fading
- Not the dust magnet that some cleaners tend to be
Cons
- Requires a protectant treatment after using
- Doesn’t work well on adhesive residue
- Has no affect on mold and mildew stains
- Does not condition
Aero Cosmetics Interior Cleaner
Aero’s Cosmetics Interior Cleaner will remove beverage spills and pretty much everything else. It really shows its stuff when it comes to attacking and removing stains. It can be used on seats, side panels, dashboards and headliners, even carpet. It doesn’t add shine but it does leave surfaces clean. One downside is its chemical odor, which is stronger than other cleaners on the market. It should not be used to clean navigation screens. No mixing is required; it is ready to go right out of the bottle. Just spray it on a surface and then wipe with a damp cloth until clean.
The Aero Cosmetics formula is alcohol and ammonia free, non-flammable, non-corrosive, and is biodegradable. It was originally made for use in the airline industry but has been adapted for use in automobiles.
Pros
- Good value for the price
- Does a great job at removing stains yet gentle
- Convenient to use
- Biodegradable formula
Cons
- Has a strong scent
- Does not remove odors
Auto Magic Vinyl/Leather Cleaner
Auto Magic cleaner is a mild, pH-balanced cleaner designed for automotive interiors. It is sold as a ready to use product with no dilution required. Place it in a mist sprayer to apply it directly to any leather, vinyl, plastic, or upholstered surface and scrub gently with a soft cloth or brush. Then just wipe it away with a clean cloth, no rinsing is required.
Pros
- pH balanced formula
- Works well on leather
- VOC compliant
- Ready to use
- Won’t cause color change
Cons
- Will dry out leather if a conditioner is not used as a follow-up
- Users sometimes complain about a left-behind residue
Conclusion
When you search for an interior vinyl cleaner for your car, “just acceptable” is not good enough. Car care companies have become very good at separating you from your money, convincing you to purchase products that are only adequate. The products in this review will get the job done and give you professional detailing results without that professional detailing cost. Without proper maintenance, vehicle interiors can wear down quickly, decreasing the overall value of your car. Vinyl, leather, and plastic can be easily cleaned with the products listed above and leave your car’s interior looking like it is brand new.