What should be in your car detailing kit?

There’s nothing like that new car smell, and you don’t have to get your car professionally detailed to get it. A good car cleaning spray can help you achieve the freshness you’re looking for. The Armor All Air Freshening New Car Scent Multi-Purpose Cleaner Spray 16oz is a great starting choice. With over 200 reviews and a 4.8 out of 5 rating, reviewers were impressed with the product’s deodorizing feature and how it can be used on a variety of surfaces, including vinyl and leather. If you need help lifting stubborn dirt off seats or cleaning washable surfaces, check out the Tuff Stuff Multi-Purpose Foam Cleaner Spray 22oz. With a 4.8 out of 5 rating, reviewers praised the product’s ability to quick-dry and how effective it is at removing stains.  

Whether you’re applying a cleaning solution or drying your window, you want a heavy-duty microfiber cloth that will get the job done and reduce streaks. The ProElite Microfiber Cloths 6 Pack is worth considering. Almost 280 users have reviewed this product, giving it a 4.8 out of 5, and customers that used it highlighted its reusability and how well it performs during detailing.
 
But, once you use your cleaning solution in your car, you will need to dry the area to prevent streaking effectively. That’s where the Absorber Synthetic Drying Towel Chamois 3.2sq ft comes in. It’s machine washable and is known to hold a decent amount of water, making it a practical addition to your vehicle detailing. With a 4.9 out of 5 rating, reviewers praised its prevention of water spots and effective absorption.

Clean seats can make or break your car’s look. Over time, it’s normal for dirt, food, and other substances to stain your car’s upholstery, making it crucial to add a potent upholstery shampoo or clean to your car detailing kit. The Turtle Wax Interior 1 Multi-Purpose Cleaner and Stain Remover Spray 18oz is an all-in-one cleaning solution that removes stains and odor. It can protect fabric, vinyl, and carpet. With a 4.3 out of 5, reviewers were more than satisfied with the product’s overall cleaning performance. The Blue Coral Upholstery Cleaner Dri-Clean Plus with Odor Eliminator 22.8oz is another option to consider. It is effective on various stains, including grease, ink, coffee, and lipstick. Reviewers were elated with how well the product lifts old stains.

In addition to stains and odors, dust, crumbs, and dirt can also become a problem for your car. The best car detailing kits will include an easy-to-use car vacuum. If you’re looking for a good product to start with, look at the Armor All Utility Vacuum 2.5gal, which comes with a ten-foot power cord and six-foot hose. It includes a nozzle that allows you to get into tight spaces. Reviewers praised the vacuum’s suction power and helpful attachments. If you prefer a hand-held car vacuum, consider the ProElite 14.8 Volt Rechargeable Car Vacuum. While you may sacrifice some power with a vacuum cleaner like this, its portability makes it easier to handle. Reviewers highlighted the product’s suction capabilities and ease of use.  

The right hose nozzle can help make the car washing and detailing process even easier and streamlined. It can take care of some of the dirt and grit ahead of time, so you don’t have to do as much scrubbing. Both the ProElite 8-Pattern Adjustable Dial Water Hose Nozzle and Chemical Guys Ultimate Fire Hose Nozzle are great options to add to your car detailing kit.  Both allow you to adjust your spray patterns to either achieve a gentle stream or a more robust flow to move away dirt. The latter also mentions that this nozzle can be used as a high pressure water shooter remove even more grime. For both products, reviewers were satisfied with the spray patterns and overall effectiveness. 

Before you apply any cleaner or wax to your tires or even water, it’s helpful to brush off any dirt or grime. Therefore, a well-made tire brush needs to be in your detailing kit. Both the ProElite Tire Scrubbing Brush and ProElite Contour Tire Brush are highly-rated and exceptional products you should consider. The former has shortened bristles and a comfortable grip that makes it easier to clear away that dirt, while the contour brush allows you to get to those hard-to-reach areas and can even be attached to a pole for long-range brushing. Reviewers highlighted the scrubbing brush’s sturdiness and cleaning ability, while reviewers of the latter liked the brush’s contoured design.

You might think that washing your tires and rims is the only step in restoring the look of your tires. However, another part of the process is just as important. Tire shine can help protect and restore black rubber that has faded over time. For example, the Meguiar’s Hot Shine High Gloss Tire Coating 15oz helps prevent cracking and protect tires from premature aging. The product’s 4.8 out of 5 rating with almost 300 reviews lends evidence that it’s been successful in that promise. The 4.7 out of 5 rated Armor All Extreme Tire Shine Spray 22oz also protects and nourishes tires while offering them a mirror-like shine.

Before you dry off your car, it’s time to make it shine. Good car wax will restore a like-new glossy tint while providing added protection against pollutants. The highly-rated Turtle Wax Wax and Dry Spray Wax 26oz works as easy as spraying it on while the car is wet and then drying it to get a quick shine. It can prevent water spots and also offer protection against UV rays. The Meguiar’s Quik Wax Spray 24oz is also a great option for restoring the shine of your car. You can apply it to both wet and dry paint.

Who doesn’t want a clear and streak-free car window? The right glass cleaner product can help you achieve windows that offer nothing but clear views. A product like the Rain-X 2-in-1 Glass Cleaner + Rain Repellent 23oz can repel water and prevent various substances from sticking to your car windows. Alternatively, the Invisible Glass Premium Glass Cleaner Spray 19oz is also a worthy choice as it not only removes stains and smudges but is also tint safe.

For more insight into how to effectively get your car to achieve a near-new clean, take a look at our guide on washing and waxing.