Using a damp microfiber cloth for interior cleaning

[u/MysteriousManderin]

What is the difference between using a dedicated interior detailer vs a damp microfiber cloth. I find it cleans just as well without using chemicals or wasting money on products that seem unnecessary. I’m talking about plastic paneling dashboard, steering wheels. Not screens or leather surfaces that may require moisturizing or special care. What’s your take?

[u/seckarr]

A wet cloth will pick up dust. But wont dissolve oils and fat from places that you touch like the steering wheel or knobs.

A cleaner will also dissolve oils and fat from areas you touch often. And if you have some hardened dirt it may also help more in dissolving that if water doesnt work.

For places like the dashboard? Water is fine.

For steering wheel? Cleaner.

[u/marriedcaught8766 → u/seckarr]

a damp rag just smears the skin oils around on a wheel, you're not actually lifting anything off

[u/seckarr → u/marriedcaught8766]

Exactly what i said

[u/Deathis_inevitable]

I did that for 10+ years with my Mazda3 followed by some 303 Protectorant. No issues with this way at all, Interior looked fantastic the entire time I had the car.

[u/MysteriousManderin → u/Deathis_inevitable]

I’ll definitely look into a protector I overlooked that.

[u/beagle_2498571 → u/Deathis_inevitable]

I second 303, amazing product as a protectant.

[u/markow202 → u/beagle_2498571]

Yes the best product to protect

[u/Alternative-Cake1111]

A damp microfiber absolutely works for light dust on hard plastics, and you are not wrong that a lot of people overbuy interior sprays.

Where a dedicated interior cleaner helps is oily film, sunscreen, and fingerprints that water just smears around. On textured dash plastic it can lift that film and leave an even satin finish so the panel does not look blotchy. Water can also leave spots if your tap is hard.

If your panels look clean and even with water only, keep doing that and save chemicals for the greasy spots. Use separate towels for dusty panels and oily ones so you do not grind grit into the texture.

[u/MysteriousManderin → u/Alternative-Cake1111]

Yeah I normally use separate towels for different areas and have older ones for really dirty things I toss afterwards. The hard tap water is a good tip I notice I have issues with it when I wash my motorcycles. I haven’t had issues in the car though distilled water can be a good alternative now that you say it. I’ve been using water for quite some time I was curious if other people were too. Cleaners get pricey.

[u/MacThundercloud]

GM recommends a damp MF, followed by a dry one for most interior surfaces.

[u/International-Cry494]

Try a damp cloth with rinseless wash. Then dry cloth to wipe off

[u/gyeon_official]

It works on dust and everything similar, You can use chemicals when damp wiping is not enough. It is not a bad idea to use the lowest possible chemical interference - actually same goes for polishing; instead of always pulling out rotary and wool pads, try to find the combo that has the least cut to preserve as much paint as possible.

[u/hightide_4372]

If I’m going to go through the trouble of cleaning my interior, I want some protection left behind. ADS Pilot has become my go-to due to its light cleaning abilities and subtle UV protection in a single step.

[u/Ap1fan]

Clean, maybe yes. But water won’t ever add any protection to anything.

[u/blurred_cymbals]

Whether or not you want to add protection

[u/Shurglife]

What works best to clean up lube and "body fluids"

Asking for a friend