Chemical Guys Total Interior Cleaner & Protectant, Cleans & Protects Leather, Vinyl, Plastic, Rubber & Glass Streak-Free Finish for Cars, Trucks, SUVs, RVs & More - 16 oz

What it is and why I reached for it

Total Interior is Chemical Guys’ take on a single-bottle solution for routine cabin care. I’m a believer in using the right product for the job, but there are weeks when dragging out separate bottles for plastic, leather, and screens just isn’t realistic. That’s the scenario I tested this for: regular upkeep across mixed materials, with an emphasis on a clean, factory-looking finish rather than shine.

Test setup and surfaces

I put Total Interior to work on two vehicles: a daily driver with textured soft-touch plastics, piano black trim, coated leather seats, and a glossy touchscreen; and an older SUV with harder plastics, rubber mats, and a mix of vinyl/leather on the door cards. I used high-pile microfiber for initial wipe-downs and a low-pile, lint-free towel for a final pass. For delicate areas (screens, gauge cluster, piano black), I sprayed the towel, not the surface. I also avoided direct spray into switchgear and speaker grilles.

Cleaning performance

For typical interior grime—dust, fingerprints, light spills, sunscreen smudges on door pulls—Total Interior cleaned quickly and evenly. One to two passes removed most contaminants without needing agitation. On rubber door seals and steering wheel spokes, it cut through light grime without leaving the surfaces squeaky or glossy.

More stubborn marks needed a bit of dwell and a second application. Dye transfer on light leather and embedded dirt in textured plastics improved, but like most all-in-one cleaners, there’s a limit. For serious stains or neglected interiors, a dedicated cleaner and brush will still outperform it. As a maintenance product, though, it’s right on target.

Finish and feel

The finish is this product’s strongest trait. It dries to a true stock look—no oily film, no artificial shine. On soft-touch plastics it leaves a uniform, low-satin sheen that looks fresh but not dressed. Hard plastics lose that chalky dryness without looking coated. The steering wheel and leather stayed dry to the touch with no slippery residue, which is exactly what you want for control surfaces. I didn’t notice any dust magnet effect after use; surfaces stayed tidy in the days following, comparable to the best neutral-finish interior cleaners.

Screens, glass, and glossy trim

I’m picky about screens and glass. On an infotainment screen and a digital gauge cluster, misting the towel and wiping in straight lines gave me clean results with no haze. The low-pile second towel is worth the extra step to ensure a streak-free finish, especially under direct sunlight. On interior glass, it did better than expected for an all-purpose interior cleaner—good clarity and minimal streaking—but a dedicated glass cleaner still has the edge for that last 5% of perfection. On piano black trim (the notorious fingerprint magnet), it removed smudges without marring and left a neutral gloss, not a smeary bloom.

Leather use

Modern automotive leather is typically coated, and Total Interior works well as a quick cleaner for that finish. It lifted light grime without altering the feel, and it didn’t make white leather shiny or slick. That said, it’s not a leather-specific conditioner. For ongoing leather care—especially to address suppleness or deeper dye transfer—pair it with a dedicated leather cleaner/conditioner periodically. I’d avoid using it on suede/Alcantara or uncoated leathers.

UV protection and durability

The formula includes UV blockers aimed at reducing fading and cracking on hard plastics. That’s valuable, particularly for dashboards and top surfaces exposed to sun. I can’t lab-verify UV claims, but in practice the protectant left a uniform, non-greasy layer that didn’t smear or attract dust. It’s a maintenance-grade protectant, not a long-term coating. Reapplying every few weeks (or after a wash) is a reasonable cadence. If your vehicle bakes outdoors daily, combine this with a sunshade for best results.

Application experience

• Use two towels: a plush microfiber for application and a low-pile, lint-free towel for the final buff. This avoids lint and static on screens and gloss trim.
• Spray the towel, not the surface, near electronics, screens, and button clusters.
• For textured plastics, a soft interior brush can help work the product into pores, then wipe dry.
• Start light. You don’t need much; over-application doesn’t improve results and can make buffing take longer.
• As with any cleaner, test in an inconspicuous area first.

The trigger produces a fine mist, which makes it easy to control coverage and avoid overspray. The scent is present but mild and clean; it dissipates quickly and doesn’t clash with other interior fragrances.

What it won’t do

• It’s not a heavy-duty degreaser or stain remover. Caked-on grime, spilled cosmetics, or set-in dye will likely require a stronger targeted product.
• It’s not a leather conditioner. It cleans coated leather well but doesn’t replenish it the way a dedicated conditioner will.
• It’s not a dedicated glass cleaner. You can get very good results on interior glass, but perfectionists may still prefer a specialized product for the final pass.

None of these are faults; they’re just the limits of an all-in-one product.

Comparisons and value

Compared to running three or four dedicated products (plastic cleaner, leather cleaner, screen cleaner, UV dressing), Total Interior dramatically simplifies routine wipe-downs. The time savings is real: I can work through a cabin in one pass without swapping bottles or worrying about cross-contamination on towels. For detailers who prefer hyper-specialized results, this won’t replace a full kit. For weekly to monthly maintenance, it’s enough on its own for most interiors.

The 16 oz bottle is a practical size for glovebox or garage use. Used sparingly (which is all you need), one bottle goes a long way. If you’re maintaining more than one vehicle, moving up to a larger size might make sense, but the standard bottle is an easy entry point and a good way to test compatibility across your surfaces.

Longevity and maintenance cadence

After a full interior wipe, the stock-look finish holds up nicely for a couple of weeks in a daily driver. High-touch areas like the steering wheel, center console, and door pulls may need a quick refresh sooner, especially in hot climates or after sunscreen contact. I found that light weekly wipe-downs keep the cabin looking consistently “new” without buildup.

Safety and compatibility notes

• Avoid use on suede/Alcantara and non-coated leathers.
• Keep product out of crevices and speakers; apply via towel near sensitive areas.
• Do not expect antimicrobial or sanitizing performance; this is a cleaner/protectant, not a disinfectant.
• Store out of direct heat to preserve the formula.

The bottom line

Total Interior nails the brief: one bottle for dashboards, plastics, coated leather, rubber, and screens, with a dry, factory-correct finish and a built-in UV safeguard. It’s fast, forgiving, and consistent, which is exactly what I want for routine interior care.

Recommendation: I recommend Total Interior to anyone who wants a single, safe, low-gloss product for regular cabin maintenance. It simplifies the process, looks OEM, and is gentle enough for screens while still cleaning plastics and coated leather effectively. If you’re tackling neglected interiors or chasing concours-level glass and leather results, keep your specialized products on hand. For everything else, this is the bottle I reach for first.