How to Clean Your Dashboard and Interior Plastics Without Damaging Them

When you consider how much our car’s interior gets used over the vehicle's lifetime, it’s remarkable how long it can hold up. How they look depends entirely on how you care for them. A little care can go a long way toward keeping your interior looking like new. Doing very little and not treating it well can make it look much worse than when you bought it.

Given how much time we spend in our vehicles, it’s worth keeping them clean and tidy. Start with the dashboard and plastic trim. Exposure to touch, sunlight, dust, liquids, and the wrong type of cleaning product can degrade the surface over time.

How you clean your dash and trim relies solely on how dirty it is. Using the strongest cleaner every time is like choosing the nuclear option, even when you just need a light wipe down.

Before we dive into cleaning the dash, my first step is always to use a small detailing brush to get into crevices and air vents and remove dust buildup. This way, when we clean the dash and trim, we can easily wipe it down and remove the dust. Now let’s get into it.

Know What You’re Cleaning

One of the most common mistakes made is using the wrong type of cleaner for the surface you’re treating. Today’s interiors have a wide variety of materials. Wiping down in a straight line for just a few inches can take you from textured colored plastic to clear plastic, soft-touch coated switches, and finally to a piano black finish. Some of these finishes are more sensitive than others. Not every surface reacts the same way to cleaners, especially if the cleaner isn't made for automotive interiors. The wrong type of cleaner can permanently damage the finish.

Start With the Least Aggressive Method

If you’ve been reading my past articles, you’ll know I also emphasize starting with the least aggressive method: whether I’m referring to a cleaner for your interior or a polish for your car’s paint. Using the most aggressive product can set you back.

Just as you wouldn't use dishwashing detergent to clean your car, avoid household cleaners on your car’s interior. Using cleaners not made for your car can discolor the surface or even weaken it and cause surfaces like your dashboard and plastic trim to become tacky – permanently.

A mild cleaner can address many concerns, from removing light dust and dirt to fingerprints - especially when you clean regularly.

Begin with a mild interior cleaner and microfiber towel. A mild cleaner like our Detailers Finest Interior Cleaner can manage most of your cleaning needs.

A common complaint is that the cleaner didn’t remove the contaminant on the surface. This is almost always a mismatch between product strength and contamination severity. It’s the opposite of going too aggressive, but it comes back to knowing which product addresses which surface and type of contaminant.

When you have to remove contamination such as buildup of body oils, grime, rubber scuff marks, sunscreen, or embedded dirt, you’ll need to move to a stronger cleaner. Now, it’s important to clarify that “stronger” doesn’t mean better. It’s more about a chemistry formulated to clean what we’d consider more stubborn contaminants, such as oil-based dirt from body oils to sunscreen.

Focus on High Touch Areas

The areas that respond best to regular cleaning with a mild cleaner like our Interior Cleaner are areas I call high-touch points. These areas include the steering wheel, shift knob, door pulls, armrests, center console, kick panels, running boards, and seat belts. These touch points tend to collect the most grime.

 Avoid dressings that leave a slick or greasy film on high-touch areas. The last thing you want is a slippery steering wheel or shift knob.

If you haven’t cleaned them in a while, then you can use a stronger cleaner such as Nextzett’s Plastic Deep Cleaner. Treat these areas once with a product like Plastic Deep Cleaner to remove buildup, then maintain them with Interior Cleaner regularly.

Use the Right Technique

Here’s how to apply any cleaner depending on what surface you’re cleaning.

• Spray cleaner onto a microfiber towel or brush when working around electronics, switches, vents, and screens.

• Use soft interior brushes for textured plastics, seams, vents, and tight areas.

• For heavier buildup, let the cleaner and brush do the work instead of aggressive scrubbing.

Avoid excessive saturation – a little goes a long way with quality products like Interior Cleaner or Nextzett’s Plastic Deep Cleaner.

Lastly, once applied, let it dwell as the manufacturer recommends. Don’t allow it to dry. Did I mention never to apply it in direct sunlight or inside a hot car?

Be Careful With Screens and Delicate Trim

It’s worth repeating: never use an aggressive cleaner not meant for your car’s interior. Touchscreens and instrument displays may have coatings that harsh chemicals can damage. A product like Interior Cleaner is made to clean delicate screens without affecting their coating.

Have piano black trim? They’re notorious for being difficult to clean since they easily reveal fine scratches. Always use a clean, quality microfiber cloth that’s at least 300 GSM along with Interior Cleaner to reduce the chance of introducing fine scratches.

Don’t press harder to remove stubborn marks from piano black trim. If the first pass doesn’t remove them, reassess what you’re trying to remove before becoming more aggressive.

Clean Finish vs. Greasy Shine

Earlier I mentioned avoiding silicone-based products on high-touch point areas. Avoid them altogether when treating your interior if they leave behind a slick or glossy finish. On the dash, the shine they leave behind can cause glare from your windshield.

A clean interior should look like the day it came from the factory. A natural, non-oily, shine-free finish stays cleaner, longer, and is safer – no slippery or shiny finish.

Avoid products that rely heavily on petroleum solvents, particularly aggressive low-flash solvents such as mineral spirits. These can be harsh on interior plastics, vinyl, rubber, and similar surfaces and may contribute to drying, discoloration, or deterioration over time. High-gloss dressings can also attract dust and leave behind an oily or slick finish.

Again, a light cleaner/protectant such as Interior Cleaner leaves behind a natural, factory finish.

Removing Scratches from Plastic

Unfortunately, a cleaner cannot remove a scratch. We occasionally get asked whether we sell a cleaner that removes scratches. If it’s scratched, no cleaner will remove it. Just like a scratch in wood, metal, or glass could not be “removed” with a cleaning product.

Some very light marks may be less noticeable after proper cleaning, but actual scratches require repair, refinishing, or replacement depending on the material.

Final Thoughts

A clean interior isn't difficult to achieve, but it still takes thought. Matching the right type of cleaner to the level of contamination is key to a well-kept interior. In most cases, a mild cleaner is more than sufficient. Keep a stronger cleaner on reserve if you need to remove stubborn contamination.

A handy detail brush and a microfiber towel will round out what you need for a spotless, natural factory-finish dash and trim you won’t mind sitting in on your daily commute.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the safest way to clean a car dashboard?
Start with a mild automotive interior cleaner and a clean microfiber towel. Use a stronger cleaner only when heavier grime, body oils, sunscreen, or scuff marks require it.

Q: Can I use household cleaners on my car’s interior?
It is best to avoid them. Household cleaners may be too aggressive for automotive plastics, coatings, displays, and soft-touch surfaces.

Q: What should I use to clean interior plastic trim?
Use an automotive-safe interior cleaner and microfiber towel. For textured plastic or tight areas, a soft detailing brush can help loosen dirt.

Q: How do I clean a steering wheel without making it slippery?
Use a cleaner that removes body oils without leaving behind a greasy or slick dressing. High-touch areas should feel clean and natural after wiping.

Q: Can I use a strong cleaner on my dashboard?
Only when needed. Most dashboards respond well to a mild cleaner, while stronger cleaners should be reserved for stubborn contamination.

Q: How should I clean piano black interior trim?
Use a very clean, soft microfiber towel with a mild interior cleaner. Avoid aggressive scrubbing because piano black surfaces scratch very easily.

Q: Is it safe to use interior cleaner on touchscreens?
Only if the product is specifically suitable for delicate screens and coated displays. Apply it lightly to the towel rather than spraying directly onto the screen.

Q: Why does my dashboard look greasy after cleaning?
Some dressings leave behind a heavy gloss or oily film. A good interior cleaner should leave a natural, factory-style finish rather than a wet or slick appearance.

Q: Can a cleaner remove scratches from interior plastic?
No. A cleaner can remove dirt or residue that makes a mark look worse, but an actual scratch requires repair, refinishing, or replacement.

Q: How often should I clean my dashboard and interior trim?
Light cleaning every few weeks can prevent body oils, dust, sunscreen, and grime from building up and reduce the need for stronger cleaners later.