If you’re just getting started in the world of detailing, cleaning interiors might feel complicated or overwhelming at first. Stains, grime, mysterious sticky spots (what is that, anyway?)—it’s a lot to tackle. Not to mention the plethora of chemical and tool choices. But here’s the good news: whether you’re dealing with fabric, leather, plastic, or carpet, there’s a simple acronym you can lean on to get the job done effectively every time. Let’s C.H.A.T. about it!
C.H.A.T. stands for Chemical, Heat, Agitation, and Time—four key factors that work together to ensure your interior cleaning goes from “eh” to “WOW.” Think of each of these as pieces of a puzzle—when they’re combined the right way, the results will speak for themselves.
So, let’s break this down step by step and walk through how you can implement C.H.A.T. during your next detail session.
C – Chemical
This is where it all begins: choosing the right product for the surface you’re cleaning. Picking the right chemical makes all the difference, and the good news is you don’t need to feel overwhelmed by the countless options out there. For cleaning interiors, here are four top-notch products I recommend depending on your needs and what you might have on hand:
Rinseless Wash A rinseless wash solution is perfect for a versatile and eco-friendly cleaning option. When diluted, 256:1 it can be used to wipe down various hard surfaces like dashboards or door panels. It’s an extremely gentle but highly effective product that prioritizes convenience and cost efficiency without compromising on cleaning power.
Koch Chemie Pol Star is a highly effective, complete interior cleaner designed for various surfaces, including plastics, leather, and textiles. Like P&S Express (the next choice on this list), this product delivers a professional-grade clean without leaving residues, especially if given some dwell time. It’s an excellent all-in-one solution for tackling grime, stains, and dirt across the vehicle’s entire interior. It even leaves some protection behind.
P&S Express Interior Cleaner A popular choice renowned for its versatility, P&S Express is another all-in-one interior cleaner that’s great for a wide range of surfaces, including vinyl, plastics, and leather. Its ability to clean effectively while remaining safe for delicate surfaces makes it a go-to product for professionals and hobbyists alike.
DIY Detail Interior Clean and Protect This product not only cleans but also adds a light layer of protection to surfaces. Perfect for those looking for a two-in-one solution, it ensures your interior is both spotless and shielded from UV damage. It’s excellent for dashboards, trims, and even leather seats.
Each product here is solid—especially rinseless wash—but for beginners who haven’t used it or are on the fence, Koch Chemie Pol Star, IMHO, deserves special mention for its versatility and cleaning power (especially with adequate dwell time). It’s safe to use on sensitive materials while delivering professional-grade results, making it a game-changer for anyone new to detailing.
Choosing the right chemical is only the first step. Once selected, the product must work its magic throughout the remainder of the C.H.A.T. process.
Pro Tip: Don’t oversaturate surfaces with the product. A little bit goes a long way, especially with these high-quality interior cleaners!
H – Heat
Heat’s job in the cleaning process is to make those stubborn stains and grime easier to remove. Warmth helps loosen up oils, grease, and even dirt embedded in fabrics or plastics. Now, before you start pointing a heat gun at everything, relax—it’s much simpler than that.
Sometimes, just using warm or hot water with your cleaning solution adds enough heat to make a difference. For more challenging situations, like lifting stains from carpet or upholstery, a steam cleaner can be your best friend. Steam helps open up fibers, dislodge dirt, and even kill bacteria, making it a two-for-one cleaning and sanitation tool.
Pro Tip: Use caution! Don’t use too much heat on delicate materials like leather and certain plastics, as it can cause damage (e.g., melting, drying, cracking, etc.).
A – Agitation
This is where the magic happens. Agitation is all about working the cleaner into the surface to lift grime, dirt, and oils out. This could mean scrubbing upholstery with a soft-bristled brush, using a microfiber towel or scrub pad on hard surfaces, or even using a drill brush on tough carpets (don’t worry—it’s easier than it sounds!).
The type of agitation depends on the material you’re cleaning. Soft surfaces like leather will need gentler agitation, while harder surfaces like vinyl trim or carpets can usually handle a little extra scrubbing power.
Pro Tip: Consider using tools for efficiency. Detailing brushes, drill attachments and scrubbing pads can save you time and effort while also delivering quicker, more effective results.
T – Time
Most beginners overlook this piece: letting time do some of the work for you. When you apply your cleaner, it’s tempting to jump right into scrubbing immediately, but sometimes, the best thing you can do is let it sit for a few minutes.
This dwell time gives your chemical (remember, that’s Step 1!) a chance to break down (emulsify) dirt, grease, and stains, making everything much easier to clean. Just don’t let it dry on the surface—that’ll create more work for you instead of less!
Pro Tip: Read the product instructions and experiment a little to determine the optimal dwell time. Keep an eye on it, especially in hot weather when products tend to dry quickly. While the products listed earlier are generally safe even if they dry on the surface, it’s always better to avoid letting any chemical dry, especially on hot panels. Some all-purpose cleaners (APCs) can cause serious damage if they dry out without being rinsed off.
Putting It All Together
When you combine Chemical, Heat, Agitation, and Time, you’ve got a foolproof method for tackling most interior cleaning challenges. Here’s an example of C.H.A.T. in action on a dirty car interior.
Chemical: Spray P&S Express Interior Cleaner (or your product of choice) onto the seat or your cleaning tool when doing panels (e.g., microfiber towel, applicator, scrub pad, etc.). Avoid spraying directly onto the surface whenever possible.
Heat: If possible, use warm/hot water or a steam cleaner alongside the cleaner.
Agitation: Use a soft-bristled brush to work the cleaner into the fabric or panel, focusing on stained or heavily soiled areas.
Time: Let the solution dwell for a few minutes (following product instructions), then perform an additional round of light agitation, wipe it off, and/or extract it with a wet/dry vacuum.
Rinse and repeat as necessary, and before you know it, that seat or panel will look as good as new!
Closing Thoughts
Detailing interiors doesn’t have to be complicated. Once you understand the C.H.A.T. method, you can approach every interior detail with confidence—whether it’s your first job or your fiftieth. Start experimenting with this process today, and you’ll be surprised how far these four simple steps can take you.
Remember, the products you use do matter! Preserving the materials we work on should be our #1 concern (even above cleaning). Whether you’re grabbing P&S Express, Koch Chemie Pol Star, DIY Detail Interior Clean and Protect, or, IMHO, the best yet, rinseless wash, you’ve already got some of the safest, most cost-efficient, and best tools in your arsenal.
So, are you ready to C.H.A.T. your way to cleaner interiors?
Let’s get to it!
–Bobby
