Features
- All-in-one cleaning solution for that “just detailed” look (Packaging May Vary)
- Effective for the whole car: dash, vinyl, fabric, carpet, clear plastic, console and more
- Stubborn stains may require scrubbing. Do not allow to dry on surface. Rinse spills and runoff. For glass, clear plastic or painted surfaces, dilute 1 ounce in one gallon of water. Easily removes tough dirt, dust and grime
- Scientifically engineered for your car’s special needs
- Won't harm automotive surfaces
Specifications
Release Date | 2024-09-16T00:00:01Z |
Size | 16 Fl Oz (Pack of 1) |
Unit Count | 1 |
Related Tools
A 16 fl oz multi-purpose automotive cleaner spray for use on interior and exterior surfaces including dash, vinyl, fabric, carpet, clear plastic, and consoles. It removes dirt, dust, and grime; stubborn stains may require scrubbing and the product should not be allowed to dry on surfaces, with spills and runoff rinsed. For glass, clear plastic, or painted surfaces dilute 1 ounce per gallon of water.
Armor All Multi Purpose Cleaner , Car Cleaner Spray for All Auto Surfaces, 16 Fl Oz Review
A straightforward cleaner that fits most car-care routines
I put the Armor All multi-purpose cleaner through a few weekend detailing sessions on two vehicles—one with a textured black interior and cloth seats, the other with light vinyl trim and carpeted cargo area. I used it across the cabin, on door jambs, and for a couple of exterior touch-ups to see how far a ready-to-use, one-bottle solution can go. In short, it’s an easy, effective cleaner that favors a natural, OEM look over gloss, provided you use it correctly and avoid letting it dry on the surface.
Bottle, trigger, and scent
The 16-ounce bottle is compact and comfortable to hold, with a trigger that produces a consistent, fine spray. I didn’t experience any clogging or errant drips, and the spray fan is wide enough to cover panels quickly without wasting product. The scent leans toward a mild “new car” profile—noticeable when spraying, then fading within minutes. It’s clean and not perfumey, which is ideal if you prefer your interior to smell refreshed rather than fragranced.
Cleaning performance on interior hard surfaces
On dashboards, center consoles, and door cards, the cleaner cuts through everyday dust, body oils, and light grime quickly. I got the best results using a two-towel method: mist the cleaner directly onto a microfiber or into a detailing brush for crevices, agitate lightly, then follow immediately with a second dry towel to pick up residue. This approach consistently left a uniform, streak-free, matte finish with no tackiness—exactly what I want on modern interiors where an overly shiny look feels out of place.
If you overspray and allow it to dry, faint wipe marks can appear on darker plastics. They disappear with a quick reapplication and a thorough wipe-down, but it’s a reminder to work in smaller sections—especially in warm weather—and avoid letting the product sit. I also appreciated that it didn’t bloom or haze on textured plastics, a common issue with harsher all-purpose cleaners.
Fabric, carpet, and high-touch areas
As a light-duty fabric cleaner, it does well for fresh spills and general dinginess. For test spots on floor mats and a seatbelt, I sprayed the cleaner, agitated with a soft interior brush, and blotted with a dry towel. Most surface-level grime lifted on the first pass; deeper stains benefited from a second application and a little more agitation. It won’t replace a dedicated extractor or heavy-duty upholstery cleaner for set-in stains, but it’s perfectly capable for routine maintenance and quick fixes.
Steering wheel grime and armrest build-up came off quickly. The finish felt clean, not slick. If your wheel is leather-wrapped, I recommend spraying onto a towel rather than directly onto the surface and working gently; although the formula is friendly to automotive materials, leather care is best left to dedicated leather cleaners and conditioners for long-term health.
Clear plastics, glass, and screens (dilute here)
The label guidance to dilute for glass, clear plastic, and painted surfaces is spot-on. I mixed roughly 1 ounce per gallon of water (or a small splash into a 32-ounce bottle topped with water) and used that solution on the instrument cluster lens and infotainment screen bezel. With a dedicated glass towel, the finish was essentially streak-free. Full-strength cleaner can leave light smearing on clear plastics, so dilution is worth the minimal effort. For sensitive screens, I prefer a screen-safe cleaner, but this diluted approach is fine for bezels and gauge covers.
Exterior touch-ups and wheels
This isn’t a degreaser, but it’s handy for door jambs, fuel fillers, and around the trunk sill where grime builds. On lightly soiled wheels, it freshened the finish with a soft brush and rinse. If you deal with heavy brake dust or baked-on contaminants, you’ll want a dedicated wheel cleaner. When you use this outside the cabin, rinse away any runoff and don’t let it dry on paint—standard best practice with any APC-style cleaner.
Finish and residue behavior
The standout trait is the finish: clean, even, and non-greasy. It leaves plastics looking factory fresh rather than dressed. If you prefer a gloss or added UV protection, layer a protectant afterward—this is a cleaner, not a dressing. Over multiple uses, I didn’t notice sticky build-up on high-touch surfaces when I followed the two-towel method. If you spray heavily and skip the dry wipe, you may see faint residue over time, so technique matters.
Efficiency and value
Being ready-to-use saves setup time, and a little goes a long way on interior plastics. The 16-ounce size is well-suited for glovebox or trunk storage and casual maintenance. If you’re cleaning larger vehicles, or tackling multiple cars regularly, you might run through the bottle faster than expected—especially if you’re treating fabric and carpets. In that case, a larger format or a concentrated APC might be more economical. For most owners doing periodic cleanups, this bottle feels appropriately sized and reasonably efficient.
Safety and surface compatibility
It’s designed for automotive materials and, in my experience, played nicely with every interior surface I tried. Still, follow basic precautions:
- Don’t let it dry on the surface.
- Rinse any spills or exterior runoff.
- Dilute for glass, clear plastics, and painted panels.
- Test inconspicuous spots on delicate trim or older materials.
- Work out of direct sun and on cool surfaces.
Gloves aren’t necessary, but if you’re sensitive to cleaners, wear them and keep the cabin ventilated while you work.
Practical tips for best results
- Use the two-towel method: one damp microfiber for application and agitation, one dry microfiber to finish.
- For tight areas (vents, switches, seams), apply to a soft detailing brush, agitate, then wipe dry.
- On fabric or seatbelts, pre-vacuum, spray lightly, agitate gently, and blot—avoid overwetting.
- Dilute for clear plastics and glass to minimize smearing and improve wipe-off.
- Follow with a dedicated protectant if you want added UV defense or a specific sheen.
The bottom line
Armor All’s multi-purpose cleaner earns a spot in my kit because it’s easy to use, gentle on common automotive materials, and delivers a natural, clean finish without the greasy residue that can cheapen an interior. It excels at quick turnarounds and routine maintenance, and with proper technique it stays streak-free. Its limitations are reasonable: it’s not a heavy degreaser, not a substitute for dedicated leather care, and the 16-ounce bottle may feel small if you clean fabric-heavy cabins or multiple vehicles regularly.
Recommendation: I recommend this cleaner to daily drivers and weekend detailers who want a reliable, ready-to-use solution for most interior tasks and light exterior touch-ups. It’s simple, effective, and leaves that OEM-matte look I prefer. If your needs skew toward heavy-duty decontamination, large-volume projects, or specialized surfaces (leather and glass in particular), pair this with purpose-made products. Used as intended, it’s a dependable cornerstone for keeping a car looking freshly maintained with minimal fuss.
Project Ideas
Business
Quick Mobile Interior Refresh Service
Offer a 20–30 minute mobile interior refresh using the cleaner, microfiber towels and a small extractor or steam wand for tougher spots. Market as an affordable, time-saving service for busy customers (commuters, rideshare drivers). Upsell on additional treatments like UV protectants or odor eliminators.
Used-Car Prep & Photo Package
Partner with independent sellers or brokers to offer a 'Clean & Shoot' package: interior cleaning with the product, minor stain removal, and professional photos for listings. Position as an ROI service — a clean interior increases sale price/turnover speed.
Branded Starter Kits for Micro-detailers
Create and sell a small-business starter kit that bundles a 16 oz cleaner, branded microfiber towels, applicator pads, and quick-start training cards. Market to new micro-detailers, car clubs, and gig workers who want a low-capital way to start offering cleaning services.
Fleet Interior Maintenance Contract
Offer subscription-based interior upkeep for small local fleets (delivery vans, taxis, real estate agents). Provide scheduled visits to keep vehicles presentable using concentrated dilutions for painted/clear surfaces and full-strength for interiors. Contracts provide steady monthly revenue.
Refurb & Resell Accessories
Use the cleaner to prep and refurbish secondhand car accessories (center consoles, trim pieces, kids’ car seats) for resale on marketplaces. Clean, repair, and cosmetically refresh items to increase resale value; create bundled listings (cleaned item + detailing service coupon) to cross-promote.
Creative
Dash & Trim Restoration Kit
Use the cleaner to deep-clean dash, vinyl trim and plastic bezels as the prep step for a DIY restoration. Remove grime and old dressings, then apply a vinyl restorer or matte sealer for a refreshed factory look. Useful project for vintage cars — includes spot-scrubbing stubborn spots, masking gauges, and finishing with UV protectant.
Headliner & Fabric Spot Renew
Turn the bottle into a fabric-safe stain remover for car headliners, carpets and upholstery. Work concentrated product into stains with a soft-bristled brush (don’t soak), blot and rinse per label, then allow to air-dry. Great for restoring interiors before reupholstery or creating before/after portfolio shots for craft fairs or online listings.
Clear Plastic Polishing Prep
Use the 1 oz/gal dilution to clean clear plastics (gauges, lenses, acrylic trim) before polishing or lamp restoration. Cleaning removes fine dirt that causes scratches when sanding/polishing, giving smoother results and a clearer finish for headlight or instrument cluster projects.
Custom Console & Organizer Refurb
Prep center consoles and cupholder areas with the cleaner, then refinish by adding custom inserts, vinyl wraps or painted accents. The cleaner ensures adhesives and paints bond by removing oils and grime — great for selling bespoke console kits or making unique gift items for car enthusiasts.
Portable Detailing Gift Set (DIY Packaging)
Create small handmade gift kits for car lovers: a travel-sized cleaner bottle, handmade microfiber cloth, brush, and instructions card. Package attractively for markets or online — the cleaner is the functional core while your crafted accessories add value.