Meguiar's D10101 All Purpose Cleaner, Versatile Car Detailing Cleaner Ideal for Both the Interior and Exterior Vehicle Surfaces, Foaming Action Lifts Dirt from Leather, Carpet, Upholstery, and Vinyl

Why I keep a gallon of D101 on the shelf

Some products earn a permanent spot in my detailing kit because they solve a lot of little problems reliably. Meguiar’s D101 All Purpose Cleaner (I’ll just call it D101) is one of those. It’s a concentrated, foaming APC that plays nicely with a wide range of interior and exterior surfaces, and it’s predictable enough that I can work quickly without worrying about surprises. After running it through a month of regular shop use—everything from coffee-stained carpets to grimy door jambs—here’s how it stacked up.

What it is and how I use it

D101 is a water-based, alkaline all-purpose cleaner concentrated in a one-gallon jug. You dilute it to taste:

• Light-duty interiors (dashboards, center consoles, coated leather): 10:1 (water:product)
• General upholstery and carpets: 10:1 to 8:1, depending on soiling
• Heavy-duty spots (greasy engine bays, tires, rubber mats): 4:1
• Painted surfaces and sensitive plastics: 10:1 or milder

It creates rich foam—especially if you use a foaming sprayer or agitate with a brush—which helps lift dirt instead of just pushing it around. I keep two labeled bottles mixed: a 10:1 for interiors and paint-safe jobs, and a stronger 4:1 for tires, wheels (coated), and engine bays.

Interior performance

• Carpets and upholstery: At 8–10:1, D101 cuts through everyday grime and food spills without leaving a crunchy residue. A light pre-spray, short dwell (1–2 minutes), and agitation with a medium-bristle brush typically brings soils to the surface. The built-in optical brighteners subtly refresh fabrics—beige and gray carpets looked a touch cleaner even before extraction. After vacuum extraction or a damp microfiber wipe, fibers dry soft thanks to the fabric conditioners.

• Vinyl and plastics: On door panels, center consoles, and dashboards, 10:1 is plenty. It breaks down body oils and sunscreen residue without stripping the material to a chalky look. It leaves a neutral, clean finish—not glossy, not sticky—so you can follow with your preferred protectant if you want more sheen.

• Leather (coated automotive leather): Used at 10:1 on a microfiber applicator, it lifts surface dirt cleanly. I don’t let it dwell on leather; I work in small sections and wipe off immediately with a damp towel. It leaves a matte, natural finish and doesn’t leave behind a squeaky feel. As always, avoid heavy saturation and stick to coated leather; for aniline or delicate hides, I reach for a dedicated leather cleaner.

• Headliners and delicate trim: D101 is capable here at 10:1 with a very light mist onto a microfiber (never directly to the headliner) and gentle tamping. The foam helps control moisture so you don’t over-wet.

I didn’t see any blotching or whitening on plastics at the recommended dilutions, provided I didn’t let it dry. If you do allow it to dry on textured plastics, it can leave a faint residue line—easily removed with a damp towel and a light re-clean.

Exterior performance

• Paint-safe cleaning: On modern clearcoat, a quick pre-rinse followed by a 10:1 D101 pass helps loosen traffic film and bug residue before a contact wash. It’s not a replacement for a dedicated pre-wash or tar remover, but it accelerates cleanup on lightly soiled vehicles. I always work cool panels and rinse thoroughly to avoid spotting.

• Wheels, tires, and rubber: At 4:1, D101 foams aggressively on tires and rubber mats, pulling brown oxidation out of sidewalls in a couple of passes. It’s effective on brake dust on coated wheels, though heavy contamination still benefits from a dedicated iron remover. Rinse thoroughly to avoid sling from residual cleaner.

• Engine bays and door jambs: This is where D101 earns its keep. Sprayed at 4:1 on cool surfaces, agitated with boar’s hair brushes, and rinsed with low pressure, it leaves plastics and painted surfaces ready for dressing without the “filmy” residue some APCs leave.

• Tools and shop use: Because it’s non-solvent and rinses clean, I use it to wipe down tool chests, floor jacks, and greasy handprints on light-colored walls. It won’t replace a true degreaser on baked-on shop grime, but it handles day-to-day messes well.

Foam, feel, and scent

The foaming profile is a highlight. Even at 10:1, a few pumps into a brush generates dense suds that cling long enough to work. That cling helps on vertical surfaces like door cards and rubber trim. The scent is mild and slightly sweet without being overpowering; it dissipates quickly and doesn’t clash with interior fragrances or dressings. Importantly, it doesn’t leave a sticky after-feel when wiped off properly.

Materials and safety notes

• Painted surfaces: Safe on modern clearcoat when diluted and not left to dry. On older single-stage paint or fresh resprays, I spot test first—strong APCs can lift oxidation and cause streaking. Keep panels cool and rinse completely.

• Leather: Stick to coated automotive leather. Avoid older, uncoated leather and don’t use as a routine leather cleaner on high-end hides.

• Raw metals and sensitive trim: I avoid raw aluminum and bare anodized trim. If in doubt, test in an inconspicuous spot.

• Health and handling: It’s an alkaline cleaner; wear gloves if you have sensitive skin. In enclosed cabins, I crack doors and work with light sprays to avoid inhaling mist.

Dilution, coverage, and value

As a concentrate, the value proposition is strong. One gallon at 10:1 yields roughly 11 gallons of ready-to-use cleaner. In practical terms:

• One 32 oz bottle at 10:1 uses about 3 oz of concentrate.
• A single gallon of concentrate fills roughly forty-two 32 oz bottles at that dilution.

That matters if you clean regularly; you spend less time reordering and generate less plastic waste. The jug pours cleanly, and the product stays stable on the shelf—I’ve had no separation or performance drop-off with a properly capped container.

What I’d change

• Residue if misused: Like most APCs, if you over-concentrate or let it dry on textured plastics or glass, D101 can leave white residue or faint streaking. The fix is simple—rewet, wipe, and mind your dilution—but it’s worth noting.

• Not a specialist: D101 is very good at many tasks, but a dedicated wheel cleaner outperforms it on heavy iron fallout, and a pH-balanced leather cleaner is kinder to delicate hides. That’s the trade-off with all-purpose products.

• Label clarity for sensitive surfaces: While it’s safe on coated leather and paint, I’d love a clearer callout on older single-stage paint and bare metals. It’s fine in my hands, but guidance helps new users.

Practical tips

• Pre-vacuum interiors before spraying to reduce the amount of solution you need.
• Work small sections and keep surfaces wet only as long as needed; don’t let it dry.
• For carpets, agitate, then blot with a damp towel before extracting—this reduces wicking and speeds dry time.
• Use a foaming trigger on vertical surfaces; you’ll get better cling and less run-off.
• Follow leather cleaning with a conditioner to restore suppleness.
• Label your spray bottles with dilution ratios and date mixed.

The bottom line

D101 earns its “all-purpose” label the right way: by being predictable, surface-safe at reasonable dilutions, and genuinely effective across the interior/exterior divide. The foaming action lifts dirt rather than smearing it, the finish is neutral and clean, and the included fabric conditioners and brighteners leave textiles looking refreshed without feeling crunchy. It’s strong enough at 4:1 for tires and engine bays, yet gentle enough at 10:1 for dashboards and coated leather, which reduces the number of bottles I need to carry around the car.

Would I recommend it? Yes. If you want a single concentrate that can handle 80% of cleaning tasks on a modern vehicle—and do double duty around the garage—D101 is an excellent choice. It’s cost-effective, easy to live with, and consistent. Pair it with smart dilution, don’t let it dry on sensitive surfaces, and you’ll get professional-looking results with minimal fuss. For the toughest specialty jobs, keep a dedicated wheel cleaner or leather product on hand, but for everything else, this is the jug I reach for first.