Are you looking for an incredible dashboard cleaner for your car?
You've come to the right place!
In this ProperMechanic.com guide, you will learn the following:
- Which products will clean your dashboard spotless
- Detailing tips for an impressive automotive interior
- Other products that will help maintain the interior of your vehicle
And much more!
Below is a quick list of all our top products. Keep scrolling to learn more about how to choose and use dashboard cleaners that leave your vehicle's interior dashing.
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Our Top Pick
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Our Top Pick
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Sonax
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View on Amazon |
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Best Budget
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Best Budget
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Meguiar’s
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View on Amazon |
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Best High End
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Best High End
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303 Products Aerospace Protectant
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View on Amazon |
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Innerclean
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View on Amazon | |
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Armor All
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View on Amazon |
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
(updated 7/13/2020)
Top Overall Pick:
Our favorite from this list is Sonax, partly because it comes in a classy looking bottle that will embellish your shelf full of detailing supplies.
This is a well thought out product Made in Germany that doesn't cost more than even the cheapest of brands, so we don't think the price is unreasonable like the 303 (30313CSR) Products Aerospace Protectant that sells for a pretty penny.
Sonax prevents fading, cracking, discoloration, etc, and can be used on all parts of the interior from the door linings to the door panels and even the instrument panel, and it even prevents static shock from happening.
Sonax is an all-purpose cleaner for your vehicle's interior.
Detailing your vehicle doesn't have to be such a chore. When you have the right products and tools it's kind of fun?
We know just as well as you do that there are plenty of options for cleaning the dash of your best car.
Which car dashboard cleaners are the best suited for your car interior?
If you care about the car then you don't want to damage its dashboard by putting the wrong product on it.
Protect your investment and clean the dash with the right stuff. And it's best just to not get it dirty in the first place.
We got you. And don't forget to always hit us up for questions because we like talking about this kind of business.
Top 5 Best Dashboard Cleaning Products
What Are Dashboard Cleaners For Car Detailing?
The dashboard cleaner is a product that is specifically made for cleaning up the trim and dash of your car.
It's not a leather treatment, so be sure to buy a leather conditioner or glass cleaner if you need a solution for leather surfaces like seating and trim or windows.
Dashboard cleaners are made from a mixture of cleaning ingredients and UV protectant.
What Are The Different Types of Dashboard Cleaners For Car Detailing?
Wipes
Want the convenience of pulling a disposable wipe out of a container and wiping down the dash on demand? That's where wipes come in handy.
Spray bottle
Purchasing a dash cleaner that comes in a spray bottle is the more economical way to purchase. Sure, you're going to have to chase down your
Citrus-based
Using a citrus-based cleaner is the safest bet when avoiding chemical damage on your vehicle's dashboard.
Don't use cleaners that have strong chemicals like bleach to clean your vehicle's trim. All citrus-based cleaners will work great on the dash, even if they aren't made especially for the job.
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How Does Dashboard Cleaner For Detailing Work?
The dashboard and trim of your car accumulate dust over time, and you eventually even breathe it into your lungs.
At the same time, your dashboard is exposed to the elements, as well as heating up and cooling down.
That's why it's a good health practice to wipe down the dash once or twice a month to eliminate uncomfortable and unsanitary conditions in your immediate space.
Tip: Did you know that dust also accumulates in your air vents? You can easily clean all air vents in your vehicles by spritzing the dashboard cleaner inside the open vent and blowing it out with compressed air. And the next time you run the air in your car you'll notice your air vents are blowing out clean air with a fresh scent.
If you really want to do a good job detailing your dashboard you will use a microfiber cloth.
What To Look For In The Best Dashboard Cleaner For Vehicle Detailing?
There are a lot of different products that will work when cleaning dust and grime off of the dashboard.
And when you drive a nice vehicle it's nice to keep it clean. There is nothing worse than hopping into an expensive Mercedes or Porsche only to find that the owner treats it like a garbage can.
So what should you look for when looking for the best dashboard cleaner?
Price
Price is a good thing to consider. Why? Because there are always those high-priced brands that really might not be the best option.
Quality
Some products leave your dashboard feeling greasy and smelling strange.
The best products usually include some kind of citrus to leave the vehicle smelling naturally clean.
UV protection
Some dash cleaners have advanced protection to prevent damage from harmful UV rays that will cause the dash to crack, discolor and dry out.
Think of it as sunscreen for your vehicle's interior.
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What To Look For In The Best Carburetor Cleaner For Engine Repair?
Any carburetor cleaner will do the trick; the important part is that you read the label carefully before purchasing so you know which parts you should and shouldn't clean with that specific product.
Because you don't want to unintentionally destroy vehicle parts with strong chemicals.
Carb cleaner product ingredients vary from product to product, but here are some main ingredients that you will see:
- Acetone
- Chlorine
- Xylene
- Toluene
- Propane
- Methyl Ethyl Ketone
- etc. varies by product
Our Reviews Of The Best Dashboard Cleaners For Car Detailing
Pick #1: Sonax
Want a German-made dash cleaner that comes in a perfect sized spray bottle waiting for you to spray it onto a microfiber cloth and see your dashboard the cleanest it has ever been?
Then you might want to give Sonax a try.
Sonax even removes dust, oil, grime, and even prevents electro-static charges from happening.
Sonax is also silicone and solvent-free to renew the OEM quality of a vehicle's trim.
And in most cases, if it's made in Germany like Sonax is, then it probably does a good job at cleaning the dashboard.
Pros
Cons
Pick #2: Meguiar's
Meguiar's makes a quality product at a price that is on a budget.
This 15.2-ounce spray bottle cleans all interior surfaces and leaves a finish that isn't greasy, and it is also safe for use on navigation screens.
If you are looking to deep clean your vehicle's interior, Meguiar's will help you do it successfully, and this product also provides UV protection for the whole interior of your car.
Check Meguiar's other detailing products for keeping your vehicle in its best cosmetic condition.
Pros
Cons
Pick #3: 303 Products Aerospace Protectant
303 takes car care to the next level with their Aerospace Protectant that has powerful UV blockers. 303 takes care of dirt spots and repels dust.
This is our most expensive pick because it costs more than double than other dashboard cleaners, so if you want to try a product that is advertised at the highest of quality, try 303.
Besides, it has 'aerospace' in the name so it must be good! Made in the USA.
Pros
Cons
Pick #4: Innerclean
The convenience of Innerclean is that it comes in a large 1-gallon container that is ideal for detailing businesses and car dealerships as well as motivated detailers that like to have the right product on hand.
Pros
Cons
Pick #5: Armor All
Armor All wipes are a quick and easy solution for leaving the interior of your vehicle impeccable with minimal effort.
You don't even have to go chasing down a rag for application because Armor All wipes pull out easily from the container and are moist enough to clean off dirt and dust, scuff marks, dried out spills -you name it!
Plus, Armor All wipes are lint-free, so you can forgettable leaving residue behind after you wipe.
You might also try Armor All Car Cleaner Spray Bottle a cheap alternative to some of the other products on the market that cleans everything from RVs to motorcycles.
Pros
Cons
Our Top Pick: Sonax
Our top pick is Sonax because it is a quality solution at a reasonable price.
Sure, buy a bottle of Armor All wipes that will last for a few times through in detail.
But if you want a quality bottle of dash cleaner to stow in the garage to keep your vehicle impeccable, then you are going to want a product like Sonax.
Spray Sonax on any part of your vehicle's interior to clean up your ride for those special occasions because cleanliness is next to godliness.
Plus, cheap products that don't last are a waste of plastic, anyway. We want quality over quantity.
You can reuse the Sonax spray bottle over again; the packaging is also a tool.
Plus, they're an excellent value for the money! Check the low price now on Amazon.
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Final Thoughts On Dashboard Cleaners For Car Detailing
Check out other brands of dash cleaners like Chemical Guys, Car guys Super Cleaner, Nextzett, Armor All, Kevianclean, and more on Amazon!
Here are some other products that you should consider if you care about keeping the interior of your vehicle impeccable:
- Steam cleaner
Do you have stains in your carpet or upholstery that are difficult to remove? You may want to purchase a steam cleaner. Check out our top 5 choices for steam cleaners, and take your vehicle detailing to the next level.
- Windshield cover/sunshade
If you care about preserving the life of your dashboard, you will use a sunshade to block out the sun completely after parking.
Have You Tried A Dash Cover?
You can avoid having to clean your dash by using a dash cover to protect it.
Whether it's a cloth mat or an actual hard-style cover that completely covers the dash, a dash protector guards your dashboard against the sun and prevents drying out and cracking.
Homemade Eco-Friendly Dashboard Cleaner
As much as we want you to purchase a dashboard cleaner off Amazon, we also don't want you to be left out of a solution.
We just want to suggest that you could always make a more eco-friendly dashboard cleaner out of products like lemons, vinegar, etc that may not be the most ideal but still do the job.
Making an eco-friendly mixture could be a good option to keep in your extra spray bottles after you have used all the products. There are multiple recipes online for making your own dashboard cleaner, so don't make excuses when somebody tells you that your dashboard is dirty!
You also might try Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner for a good all-around product to wipe down your interior with.
More Interior Detailer Tips
When cleaning the dash and trim on the car, you don't want to get the dash cleaning product on the windows.
The smart move is to spray the product directly onto a microfiber towel and then apply it to the desired surface. And speaking of cleaning the windows, go check out our article on The Top 5 Best Window Cleaners.
How To Properly Clean Your Steering Wheel
In the world of car detailing, steering wheels can be one part of the car that has the most amount of germs. Be sure when cleaning a steering wheel that you thoroughly remove all the greasy residue and
Alcohol in a spray bottle is one of the best detailing tools for disinfecting and removing spots from a surface.
Safety Tips
If you want to look professional, try using nitrile gloves to protect your skin and eye protection when detailing cars. Why?
Because working with air compressors, chemicals, etc. there is a lot that can get blown back into your eyes! And car detailing chemicals aren't good for your skin.
Carbon Fiber/Fiberglass Trim?
Some cars have fiberglass and carbon fiber trim pieces that are super durable and also stylish.
So how can you care for your carbon fiber or fiberglass trim?
Well, carbon fiber panels normally have a clearcoat painted over for added protection, so you might try a buffer pad(not the electric buffer) with a product like Meguiar's Microfiber Correction Compound to restore the fiber's shine.
In other words, don't be afraid to treat your carbon trim like a car's paint job. Some cars even have carbon fiber body panels that look fantastic when buffed and cleaned.
Need An Odor Solution?
Sometimes the interior of your vehicle not only needs to be wiped down with products like dash cleaners, but it also needs a 'smell makeover'.
One might be surprised that the smell of used cars is one of the biggest factors of whether or not the new buyer wants to own the vehicle.
So you've already wiped the dash down, but you want the car to smell like new. What are your options?
Ozone cleaner
Ozone cleaners do the best job of killing all the bacteria and sanitizing the air in your car.
There are tons of different plug-in and portable ozone cleaners on the market. Check out this Ionkini car air purifier CAR AIR Purifier IONIZER with USB Chargers on Amazon.
Unlike the traditional scented candles and the air fresheners that hang up in the rear view, air
But then again, we're just throwing ideas out there to help you get your car clean as a whistle.
Need More Than Just A Car Wash?
Let's face it, sometimes our cars need more than just a car wash.
From all the inhabiting we do as people in our cars, they are something that carries around our germs, odors, and sometimes it's necessary to do a full detail on your car.
Now, performing a full detail requires a lot more than just a dashboard cleaner - that's just one of the products that is used for cleaning your car to its max potential.
Where are we going with all this? Well, maybe it's time you paid a professional detailer to go over your vehicle for you every once in a while.
Looking to sell your car for the price you want?
You should most definitely have a detailer give it a masterfully clean look that will woo buyers into paying your price.
Questions?
Don't forget to hit us with all of your dashboard cleaner questions on our Proper Mechanic blog!
