Griot's Garage Interior Cleaner Review: A Plain Cleaner That Leaves Nothing Behind
Our Verdict
A dye-free, ready-to-use interior cleaner that Griot's rates for every fabric and hard surface from headliner to carpet, leaving no residue and no change in finish. It comes in 22 oz, 35 oz and gallon sizes. It adds no UV protection and is mild on set-in stains, so pair it with a protectant. As a straightforward cleaner it is hard to fault.
Interior products have drifted toward doing everything at once: clean, protect, scent, shine. Griot's Garage Interior Cleaner goes the other way. It cleans, and that is all it claims to do. Griot's says it safely cleans all interior fabrics and hard surfaces, from the headliner to the carpet, with no dyes or additives that could discolor a surface and no residue left behind to attract more dirt.
What you get
A 22 oz ready-to-use spray, with a 35 oz bottle and a gallon refill available for heavier users. The surface list is as broad as it gets, covering carpets, floor mats, seats, fabrics, vinyl, headliners, door panels and the dash. Because there is no dressing in it, surfaces dry to however they looked when new, flat and non-greasy. Griot's notes that it works around the house as well. The dye-free formula is the practical selling point for pale cloth and light headliners, where a tinted cleaner is a risk.
How it's used
For routine cleaning, spray it onto a microfiber towel, wipe the surface, and dry with a second clean towel. For heavier soil, spray directly onto the surface, give it a short dwell, agitate if needed and wipe dry. No water or rinsing is involved. Headliners are the exception to direct spraying. Always apply to the towel there, since a soaked headliner can sag. A soft detailing brush helps on textured plastic and around switches.
Where it falls short
A cleaner with nothing left behind also leaves no UV protection, so a dash that sits in the sun still needs a protectant such as Griot's own Vinyl & Rubber Protectant. That makes it a two-bottle routine where an all-in-one would be a single step. It is a mild general cleaner, so set-in stains in cloth may take repeat applications or a dedicated spotter. And it won't leave any fragrance, which some owners will miss.
Who it's for
People who want surfaces clean and otherwise unchanged, and owners of light interiors. It compares well on simplicity in our interior cleaner guide. Check price on Amazon
Pros
- Safe on fabrics and hard surfaces alike
- No dyes to stain light interiors
- Leaves no dirt-attracting residue
- Refill sizes up to a gallon
Cons
- No UV protection or conditioning
- Set-in stains may need repeat passes
- Requires a separate protectant for the dash