How to Choose the Perfect All-Purpose Cleaner (APC) for Car Detailing

In automobile detailing, an all-purpose cleaner (APC) is your wingman—trustworthy, versatile, and game for almost anything. From detailing your car's interior to breaking up tough grime on the exterior, an APC is indispensable. With so many products available, though, finding the right one for you can be daunting. Fear not—we've got you covered! Here's a friendly guide to help simplify the process for you in selecting the perfect APC for your detailing adventures.

So there are places where you need the power of APC. A great example is wheels and tires. That is a perfect use for all clean and if your wheels just have a little dust on them, then yes. The rinse of the soap will do a great job. You don't need that much power. In detailing, always start with the least aggressive method first. And if that works you don't need to get out the sledgehammer. If all you need is a little finishing hammer you don't need the sledgehammer.

Now you're trying to clean your engine. Yes, you'll need something a little more powerful than just soap or rinse, but on an interior that should be by far your last resort.  

All-purpose cleaners can work on the entire outside of the vehicle. If you have a vehicle that is caked or it's coated and for some reason hasn't been properly maintained, it's common to go through a car wash, especially a touch-free car wash in which they leave residue on the vehicle.

In detailing, the rinse & wash can handle is essential, and good all-purpose can improve your bottom line in terms of increasing service order revenue.  It can act as your glass cleaner, interior cleaner, wheel, and tire cleaner, and even wipe off your polish residue. As it sounds all-purpose can solve every solution if you choose the right one.

Figure Out What You Need

Before diving into the world of APCs, think about what you’ll be cleaning. Grease in the engine bay? Mud-caked wheel arches? Or maybe dusty dashboards and stained upholstery? Different tasks might call for different cleaning strengths. Some APCs are tough on grease, while others are gentle enough for delicate materials like leather and fabrics. Knowing your needs will point you in the right direction.

Dilution Ratios: The Secret Sauce

Here’s a little insider tip: most APCs are sold as concentrates, which means you can dilute them with water to suit the job. Need to tackle a tough stain? Mix it strongly. Just freshening up your interiors? A gentler dilution will do. Products with versatile dilution ratios save you money and give you control over how strong the cleaner is.

pH Levels Matter

Not all surfaces are created equal, and the same goes for APCs. The pH level of a cleaner determines how harsh or gentle it is. A neutral or pH-balanced cleaner is your safest bet for most surfaces—it’s tough on dirt but kind to materials. Alkaline cleaners are champs at breaking down grease and heavy grime, while acidic ones work wonders on mineral deposits. Just be sure to use them carefully to avoid accidental damage.

Play It Safe and Ecologically Sound

If you're using an APC in your car, safety first—especially if kids or pets are regular passengers. Choose non-toxic, biodegradable products with no harsh chemicals like ammonia or bleach. Not only are they better for you and your car, but the environment too. Win-win!

Test Before You Commit

Imagine spraying a cleaner on your upholstery only to discover it leaves a nasty stain. Yikes! Always test your APC on a small, hidden area before going all in. It’s a simple step that can save you a ton of headaches.

Our Top Picks for APCs

Here are some tried-and-true favorites that car enthusiasts swear by:

• Meguiar's D101 All-Purpose Cleaner:

  Perfect for both interiors and exteriors. Its concentrated formula handles everything from light cleaning to heavy-duty jobs.
  
  

• CarPro Multi X:

  A powerhouse cleaner that works on just about everything. Super concentrated and perfect for tough stains.
  
  

• Chemical Guys All Clean+:

  Safe for interiors and exteriors with a refreshing citrus scent. Great for eco-conscious detailers.
  
  

• Optimum Power Clean:

  A pH-balanced, biodegradable option that’s safe for delicate surfaces like leather.
  
  

• Griot's Garage Interior Cleaner:

  Specifically made for interiors, it’s gentle yet effective for cleaning fabrics, plastics, and more.
  
  

Degreaser vs APC

Degreasers are intended for cleaning the engine bay, it's for removing grease. Use cases such as degreasing your motorcycle chain and things like that. It is not for cleaning a vehicle. Degreasers and all-purpose cleaners are completely different products. The surfactants and the emulsifiers that are in there are very different. The degreasers do not provide lubrication.  Degreasers are very harsh and some of them contain solvents and vehicle owners spray that on the interior. It might look good today, but you've damaged that plastic forever, that's one of the things that you know degreasers get rid of. They’re not a car detailing chemical and if not used for it’s specific use case can cause damage to your customer’s or client’s vehicles. It's best to play it safe the pay for uncessary harm when you're trying to improve customer satisfaction.