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<p>When shopping for car cleaning and detailing products, there are occasions when you can cut corners and pick up an off-brand. But when it comes to chemicals and cleaners, we recommend sticking with brand names that you know and trust.</p><p>If you want to keep your car, truck, or SUV looking its best, here are our favorite cleaning products. From window cleaners to trim restorers to tire shine, there’s something on this list for everyone.</p><hr>” />
Our car experts choose every product we feature. We may earn money from the links on this page.
Best Cleaning Kit
Chemical Guys 16-Piece Arsenal Builder Wash Kit
Best Cleaning Kit
Chemical Guys 16-Piece Arsenal Builder Wash Kit
Pros
- Even includes foam cannon
- Makes a great gift
Cons
- More stuff than many of us will require
If you’d rather purchase all of this stuff at once instead of separately, Chemical Guys offers a full 16-piece car washing kit. It’s a bit pricey, but it covers all the bases, and has everything you need to get the job done.
Best Car Wash Soap
Meguiar’s Gold Class Car Wash
Best Car Wash Soap
Meguiar’s Gold Class Car Wash
Pros
- Won’t strip wax
- Foam cannon ready
Cons
- Only available in gallon size but should last a long time
If you want to clean your car, you’re going to need a specially formulated soap to get the job done. Meguiar’s has been producing top-tier car shampoo and conditioner for years, so it’s only natural to recommend them here.
Best Car Wash Mitt
Relentless Drive Premium Car Wash Mitt
Best Car Wash Mitt
Relentless Drive Premium Car Wash Mitt
Now 20% Off
Pros
- Great for use around the home, too
- Comes in a two-pack
Cons
- Might not wear well but inexpensive
Rather than use a standard towel or sponge, we highly recommend picking up a wash mitt designed specifically for car care. This design from Relentless Drive uses microfiber material to keep scratches to a minimum, and it’s machine-washable.
Best Tire Shine
Chemical Guys Tire Kicker Extra Glossy Tire Shine
Best Tire Shine
Chemical Guys Tire Kicker Extra Glossy Tire Shine
Pros
- Works on rubber, vinyl, and plastic surfaces
- Doesn’t leave greasy film
Cons
- Might be easier to apply with sponge than a spray bottle
A clean car can be let down by dirty tires. Your car’s rubber is an often-overlooked part of the car care process, so we suggest picking up a tire shine spray made specially for the job.
This formula from Chemical Guys applies a deep black shine to your tires, and helps prevent future fading.
Best Wheel Cleaner
Griot’s Garage Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner
Best Wheel Cleaner
Griot’s Garage Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner
Pros
- Safe for all wheel finishes
- Gallon refill size available
Cons
- Won’t restore aged wheels but cleans great
Rather than use soap designed to clean a car’s body panels, get a dedicated wheel-cleaning formula like this one from Griot’s Garage.
It’s specially formulated be safe to use on all types of wheel surfaces, while loosening and removing caked-on brake dust and other grime picked up from the road.
Best Car Cleaning Tools
LucklyJone Seven-Piece Wheel & Tire Brush Kit
Best Car Cleaning Tools
LucklyJone Seven-Piece Wheel & Tire Brush Kit
Pros
- Everything you need to deep-clean
- You could pay more for a brand name, but why?
Cons
- Not the highest quality but even pricy brushes will wear out
Of course, to make the most of those wheel cleaners, you’ll need some special brushes to scrub the uniquely shaped surfaces.
This set from LucklyJone comes with seven brushes in total, allowing you to reach into any crevasse, deep lug nut area, or even through the spokes onto the barrel of the wheel.
Best Microfiber Towels
Chemical Guys Professional Grade Microfiber Towels
Best Microfiber Towels
Chemical Guys Professional Grade Microfiber Towels
Now 15% Off
Pros
- Absorbs 10x’s its weight in liquid
- 12-pack should last a long time
Cons
- We’ll say it again: You could pay more, but why?
If you want to dry your car in a safe matter, don’t use any towel sitting around the house—they could cause damage to your paint. It’s best to have a collection of microfiber towels on hand instead, used specifically for wiping down painted surfaces safely.
These high-quality towels from Chemical Guys are durable, machine-washable, and will last you hundreds of car washes.
Best Dent Repair Kit
Yoohe Paintless Dent Repair Kit
Best Dent Repair Kit
Yoohe Paintless Dent Repair Kit
Now 23% Off
Pros
- Save a bundle from going to the body shop
- Everything you need for all kinds of dents
Cons
- Dent pulling is risky; use caution, always
Discovering a new dent on your car after leaving it in a parking lot is never a good time. Instead of dropping hundreds of dollars on a bodyshop to fix it, Yoohe offers a kit so you can do it yourself.
The kit comes with 43 total pieces, along with detailed instructions on how to use it. Even if you’re not mechanically savvy, you should consider it.
Best Glass Cleaner
Invisible Glass Premium Glass Cleaner
Best Glass Cleaner
Invisible Glass Premium Glass Cleaner
Now 23% Off
Pros
- Safe on window tinting
- Unscented
Cons
- Do you really need two bottles of window cleaner?
Invisible Glass has become a household name for glass cleaners, and for good reason. It’s the go-to for amateurs and pros alike, being quick and easy to use while also being effective.
Best Trim Restorter
Turtle Wax Plastic Trim Restorer
Best Trim Restorter
Turtle Wax Plastic Trim Restorer
Pros
- One application is all it takes
- Works great on body cladding
Cons
- Residue can attract dust and debris
If your car has faded black plastic exterior trim pieces, having a restorer material on hand is a must. This restorer from Turtle Wax is easy to apply, and makes faded, unloved plastic trim pieces look like new.
Best Scratch Remover
Quixx Paint Scratch Remover Kit
Best Scratch Remover
Quixx Paint Scratch Remover Kit
Pros
- Two-step application process
- Great for any color car
Cons
- Application process isn’t easy
Finding scratches on your paint is always a bummer, but don’t think you have to shell out a bunch of money to get it fixed. Kits like this one from Quixx make it easy to touch up small scratches to make it look like they were never there.
Best Leather Cleaner
Mothers All-in-One Leather Care
Best Leather Cleaner
Mothers All-in-One Leather Care
Pros
- Cleans, conditions, and protects
- Pleasant, not overpowering, scent
Cons
- Test on a small area first
Leather is often one of the first items in a car’s interior to show wear, so keep them looking fresh with a leather cleaner like this one from Mothers.
It’s safe for any leather material, and works by dissolving and lifting away dirt and debris, while replenishing the surface’s natural oils.
Best Interior Trim Cleaner
Armor All Protectant & Cleaning Wipes Twin Pack
Best Interior Trim Cleaner
Armor All Protectant & Cleaning Wipes Twin Pack
Pros
- Great on all interior surfaces (not glass, of course)
- Perfect for quick touch-ups
Cons
- If you don’t close the top the wipes will dry out
Need a quick, easy way to keep your interior looking like new? These disposable wipes from Armor All are extremely useful in a pinch, and made for all interior surfaces.
Road & Track staff writer with a taste for high-mileage, rusted-out projects and amateur endurance racing.
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