7 Products to Never Use for Interior Detailing

Car interior detailing is essential to maintain your vehicle's aesthetics, comfort, and cleanliness. However, using the wrong products can cause more harm than good. From damaging your car’s surfaces to leaving behind undesirable residues, some products should be avoided when detailing the inside of your vehicle.

This blog will walk you through 7 products to never use for interior detailing, including common household cleaners and products that could potentially damage your car’s upholstery, dashboard, and finishes. We’ll also introduce you to safer, more effective options like Goat Lab's premium car interior detailing products, ensuring your car remains in top condition.

Can You Use Dish Soap to Clean an Interior Car?

Many car owners may wonder, “Can you use dish soap to clean interior car?” Dish soap is designed for cleaning dishes, not for the specific needs of a vehicle interior. While it may seem like a quick solution, it can cause significant issues.

Why You Should Avoid Dish Soap:

• Harsh Chemicals: Dish soap contains chemicals that can break down the protective coatings on your car’s surfaces, particularly the dashboard and upholstery.

• Residue: Dish soap often leaves behind a sticky residue, which attracts dirt and dust.

• Damage to Materials: The chemicals can weaken leather, vinyl, and other materials, making them more susceptible to wear and tear.

Better Alternative:

Instead of using dish soap, consider using Goat Lab Miracle All Purpose Cleaner. This versatile cleaner is safe for all surfaces like fabric, leather, vinyl, and plastic. It’s specifically designed for automotive interiors, so it won’t leave residues or cause damage.

Can I Use Dish Soap to Wash My Car?

Another common question car owners ask is, "Can I use dish soap to wash car?" Just like interior detailing, washing your car with dish soap is not advisable.

Why You Should Avoid Using Dish Soap to Wash Your Car:

• Strips Wax: Dish soap can strip the protective wax from your car’s paint, leaving it vulnerable to scratches, contaminants, and environmental damage.

• Harsh on Paint: The ingredients in dish soap can be abrasive to your car's finish, causing dullness and fading over time.

• Not Designed for Cars: Dish soap is not formulated to safely remove dirt and grime from your car's paintwork. It can lead to streaking or swirl marks.

Better Alternative:

For the best results, use a dedicated car wash shampoo, like Goat Lab’s Super Pink Shampoo. It’s gentle on the paint, produces a rich foam that lifts dirt and grime, and ensures your car’s finish remains smooth and glossy.

Household Glass Cleaner

Household glass cleaners are a staple in many homes, but they should never be used on your car’s interior, particularly on the dashboard and upholstery.

Why Household Glass Cleaners Are a No-Go:

• Ammonia-Based: Many glass cleaners contain ammonia, which can cause damage to tinted windows, upholstery, and even the dashboard.

• Streaking and Residue: Glass cleaners can leave behind streaks and a sticky residue, which may attract dust and dirt.

Better Alternative:

For a safe and effective interior cleaner, you should use a product specifically designed for your car's interior. Goat Lab’s Auto Dashboard Cleaner is a great choice. It’s designed to safely clean your dashboard and other interior surfaces, leaving a fresh, clean scent and a streak-free finish.

Multi-Surface Household Cleaners

Multi-surface cleaners might seem like a convenient option, but they are often too strong for your car’s delicate surfaces.

Why You Should Avoid Multi-Surface Household Cleaners:

• Too Abrasive: These cleaners can be too harsh on surfaces like leather, vinyl, and fabric, causing discoloration and fading.

• Incompatibility with Fabrics: Some cleaners are designed for hard surfaces like countertops and may not be safe for use on soft materials found in car interiors.

Better Alternative:

Goat Lab’s Miracle All Purpose Cleaner is the perfect solution. It’s specially formulated to clean a variety of surfaces, including fabric, leather, and vinyl, without causing any damage or leaving residues behind.

Bleach

While bleach is a powerful disinfectant, it’s not suitable for cleaning the interior of your vehicle.

Why Bleach is a Bad Choice:

• Discoloration: Bleach can cause severe discoloration of fabrics, leather, and even plastic surfaces.

• Harsh Smell: The strong odor of bleach can linger inside your car for days, making it unpleasant to drive in.

• Toxic Fumes: Bleach releases harmful fumes, which can irritate your respiratory system, especially in an enclosed space like a car.

Better Alternative:

For sanitizing and deep cleaning without the use of bleach, try Goat Lab’s Non-Acid KnockOut & Miracle Bundle. This combination offers powerful, safe cleaning without the use of harmful chemicals, ensuring your vehicle’s interior remains both clean and safe.

Vinegar

Vinegar is often used as a natural cleaner around the house, but it’s not ideal for your car’s interior.

Why You Should Avoid Vinegar:

• Potential Damage: The acidity in vinegar can damage leather, vinyl, and other delicate materials inside your car.

• Strong Odor: The pungent smell of vinegar can be overwhelming and may linger inside your vehicle for a long time.

• Possible Residue: While vinegar is an excellent cleaner, it can leave behind a residue that attracts more dirt and dust, negating your cleaning efforts.

Better Alternative:

If you’re looking for a natural cleaning solution, consider using Goat Lab’s Miracle All Purpose Cleaner. It’s safe, effective, and leaves behind a fresh scent without any harsh chemicals or lingering odors.

Carpet Cleaners (Not for Cars)

Carpet cleaners may seem like a good choice for your vehicle’s floor mats and upholstery, but they aren’t ideal for automotive use.

Why Carpet Cleaners Don’t Work for Car Interiors:

• Overpowering: Carpet cleaners are often too strong for car upholstery, leading to potential damage and discoloration.

• Residue: These products can leave behind residue, which may attract dirt, making your car’s interior look dirty sooner.

• Formulated for Home Carpets: Carpet cleaners are designed for home use, not for the specialized needs of vehicle interiors.

Better Alternative:

Use Goat Lab’s Miracle All Purpose Cleaner to safely clean your car’s floor mats and upholstery. It’s tough on stains but gentle on your car’s surfaces, ensuring a spotless finish.

Goat Lab: Premium Car Interior Detailing Products

When it comes to interior detailing, using the right products is key to ensuring your car’s interior stays pristine without causing any damage. At Goat Lab, we offer a range of car interior detailing products that are formulated specifically to keep your vehicle looking its best.

Goat Lab Miracle All Purpose Cleaner

For cleaning every inch of your vehicle’s interior, from the seats to the dashboard, Goat Lab Miracle All Purpose Cleaner is a must-have. Priced at just $12 for a 16oz bottle or available in larger sizes, this cleaner tackles stubborn dirt, grime, and stains with ease. It’s safe for all surfaces, including fabric, leather, vinyl, and plastic, and leaves behind a fresh, clean scent without any sticky residue.

Goat Lab Complete Bundle

The Goat Lab Complete Bundle ($54.99) offers the ultimate collection of high-performance products that will take your car detailing to the next level. It includes LookOut for long-lasting protection, KnockOut for heavy-duty cleaning, Miracle for interior care, and Super Pink Shampoo for a flawless exterior wash.

Non-Acid KnockOut & Miracle Bundle

If you’re looking for a more targeted cleaning solution, consider the Non-Acid KnockOut & Miracle Bundle ($28). This combo offers a safe and effective way to clean and protect your car’s surfaces, making it a great option for regular maintenance or deep cleaning tasks.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while there are many tempting household products out there, not all of them are suitable for use in your car’s interior. From dish soap to bleach, these items can damage your vehicle and leave behind unpleasant residues. To ensure the best care for your car, always opt for products that are specifically designed for automotive use.

If you’re looking for a trusted solution for interior detailing, Goat Lab offers a range of high-quality products like Miracle All Purpose Cleaner, Super Pink Shampoo, and more. With the right tools, your car will remain spotless and well-maintained for years to come.