Chemical Guys Total Interior Cleaner and Protectant, Safe for Cars, Trucks, SUVs, Jeeps, Motorcycles, RVs & More, 32 fl oz

Why this all-in-one actually earned a spot on my cart

My detailing cart is crowded, so anything that stays on it has to replace two or three other bottles. Total Interior did exactly that. It’s a single spray that cleans and lightly protects most surfaces I touch inside a cabin—dash plastics, door cards, touchscreens, gloss black trims, leather, fabric, and even glass in a pinch—without leaving the kind of shiny, slick residue that makes interiors look artificial.

What you’re working with

Total Interior is a clear, water-based spray with a fine, controllable mist from the trigger. It has a light, clean scent that dissipates quickly—present enough to make the car smell freshly detailed, but not so strong that it lingers or clashes with an air freshener. The liquid flashes quickly and wipes down to a dry, stock-looking finish. No oily fingerprints, no silicone-y shine, and crucially, no tackiness that would attract dust.

The formula includes UV blockers, which matters for modern cabins with expansive windshields and angled dashboards. I can’t lab-test UV claims, but I put value on any protectant that doesn’t change the look and still promises some defense against heat and sun.

Application and workflow

It’s a classic mist-and-wipe product, but small technique choices improve the result:

• For hard plastics and vinyl: spray directly on the surface, work with a plush microfiber, then give a quick buff with a second towel.
• For infotainment screens and gloss black trim: spray onto the towel, not the surface, to avoid overspray and reduce static.
• For leather: apply to a damp microfiber and work in sections. Buff dry immediately.
• For fabrics and carpet: use sparingly to avoid overwetting. Blot rather than scrub, then follow with a dry towel.

If something is visibly grimy, a soft detailing brush helps the product break down body oils around switches and window controls. I avoid spraying directly into speaker grilles or button clusters; a towel application gives better control.

Performance across surfaces

Plastics and vinyl
Total Interior excels here. It cuts dust, light grime, and sunscreen haze off dashboards and door panels with very little effort. The finish sits between OEM matte and a light satin—clean, uniform, and free of streaks. On textured plastics, it doesn’t fill the grain with residue, which matters for a natural look.

Screens and gloss black trim
This is where many interior cleaners struggle, leaving haze or static that just trades smudges for lint. Using a low-pile microfiber, I got streak-free results. It removed fingerprints from the infotainment screen and cluster lens without smearing and didn’t introduce stickiness or static that would pull dust back instantly. I still do a quick second wipe with a dry towel for insurance, but I haven’t needed a dedicated screen cleaner for maintenance.

Leather
For coated automotive leather, it did a fine job as a maintenance cleaner. It lifted light soiling on steering wheels and seat bolsters and left the leather dry to the touch—no slickness, which is important for seating. As a protector, it’s mild; it doesn’t behave like a dedicated conditioner, so I pair it with a leather protectant on vehicles that see a lot of sun or wear. For weekly or biweekly upkeep, though, it keeps leather looking crisp without altering the sheen.

Fabric and carpet
It’s not a heavy stain remover, and I wouldn’t reach for it to tackle old coffee or salt stains. But for fresh spots and day-to-day lint and dust, a light application freshens high-traffic areas like floor mats and kick panels. Use a conservative amount to avoid water marks; a blot-and-lift technique works best.

Glass
On glass, results were better than expected for a do-it-all product. It removed interior film and fingerprints without smearing, especially if I used two towels—one damp with product, one dry to finish. That said, for a perfectly crisp windshield in harsh sun or backlighting, a purpose-made glass cleaner still has an edge. I’ve kept Total Interior as the maintenance option and a dedicated glass cleaner for final passes when I’m chasing perfection.

Wood and faux wood
Most “wood” trim in modern cars is a glossy laminate, and the product handled it like glass or piano black—no streaks or swirling, provided I used a clean, low-lint towel. On true open-pore wood, I tested a small area first and stuck to a towel application. No issues surfaced.

The finish and feel

The standout trait is how neutral the finish is. Interiors look refreshed without appearing dressed. Touch surfaces—steering wheel, shifter, armrests—feel dry and factory-correct. Because it doesn’t leave a film, dust doesn’t boomerang back. I also noticed subsequent wipe-downs go faster; the surfaces seem to shed fingerprints and smudges more easily after the first application.

Durability and protection

This isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it sealant. Think of it as a cleaner with light protection that fits a maintenance rhythm. In my testing, the even, low-sheen look held for a week or two of regular driving. The UV claim is hard to quantify, but I appreciate getting some defense built into the same step that removes grime. For vehicles that live outdoors, I’d still use more robust UV products periodically on high-exposure areas, then maintain with this.

Limitations to note

• It isn’t a stain specialist. Old, set-in fabric or carpet stains will need a dedicated upholstery cleaner or extractor.
• Leather conditioning is minimal. If you want that softening, protective layer you get from leather dressings, you’ll want to top with a specific conditioner.
• Glass perfectionists will still prefer a dedicated glass cleaner for final passes under sharp sunlight.
• As with any interior chemical, overspraying into switches and seams can lead to frustration. Use towel application in sensitive areas.

None of these are deal-breakers; they’re the natural tradeoffs of a product designed to be safe on almost everything and to leave no residue.

Tips for best results

• Use two microfiber towels per section: one damp with product to clean, one dry to finish.
• On touchscreens and piano black, apply to the towel, not the surface.
• For heavier grime, agitate with a soft interior brush, then wipe clean.
• Keep a low-pile towel handy to avoid lint on high-gloss surfaces.
• Always test an inconspicuous spot on specialty materials and open-pore wood.

Value

A 32-ounce bottle goes a long way when you mist the towel rather than drench the surface. Because it replaces a separate plastic/vinyl cleaner, light leather cleaner, screen cleaner, and your quick-detailer for interior touch-ups, it simplifies the kit and speeds up maintenance. For anyone who maintains multiple vehicles—or just wants fewer bottles in the trunk—this consolidation is where the value shows.

Pros and cons

Pros
- Truly multi-surface with a dry, factory-correct finish
- Streak-free on screens and gloss trim when applied via towel
- Built-in UV blockers with no greasy residue
- Light, pleasant scent that doesn’t linger
- Efficient: a little goes a long way

Cons
- Not a heavy-duty fabric or carpet stain remover
- Minimal leather conditioning; protection is light
- Dedicated glass cleaner still wins for show-car clarity

Recommendation

I recommend Total Interior to anyone who wants a single, trustworthy interior cleaner for routine upkeep that won’t alter the look or feel of the cabin. It’s especially good for detailers and enthusiasts who value speed, consistency, and a dry-to-the-touch finish on all surfaces, including sensitive screens. Keep a leather conditioner and a fabric stain remover on hand for the outliers, and you’ll find this covers 80–90% of interior tasks with less fuss and fewer bottles. It earned its place on my cart by doing exactly what it claims, and—importantly—by staying out of the way once the job is done.