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All Purpose Car Cleaners

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    Bilt Hamber Surfex HD All Purpose Cleaner

    Surfex HD is a powerful all purpose cleaner that effortlessly attacks all oil and grease based soiling, but unlike solvent based cleaners it will e...

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    Koch-Chemie Gs Green Star Universal Cleaner

    Koch-Chemie Green Star is a highly concentrated alkaline based universal cleaner which is phosphate- and solvent-free. Ideal for use on car interio...

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    Gtechniq W5 Citrus All Purpose Cleaner

    This biodegradable pH neutral formula removes road grime and bug splatter with sheer ease. It can be used for many other cleaning roles from engine...

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    Auto Finesse Total - Interior Cleaner (500ml)

    A truly dedicated interior all purpose cleaner, Auto Finesse Total is tailored to handle the unique requirements of sensitive interior surfaces. Wh...

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    Koch-Chemie Mzr Mehrzweckreiniger

    Koch-Chemie Mehrzweckreiniger (literally translating as multi-purpose cleaner) is specifically an interior and specialist cleaner for deep and thor...

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    Auto Finesse Verso All Purpose Cleaner 5 Litre

    Whether you detail vehicles every day or you are a weekend detailing hobbyist, a high quality all purpose cleaner and degreaser is a must have prod...

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    Chemical Guys Nonsense Colourless & Odourless All Surface Cleaner (16 US oz)

    Nonsense Colourless & Odourless cleaner. No odour, no colour, no residue - no nonsense! An invisible and invincible super cleaner that works to...

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    Chemical Guys Meticulous Matte Auto Wash for Satin Finish & Matte Finish Paint (16oz)

    Chemical Guys Meticulous Matte Auto Wash cleans and protects matte paint finishes and vinyl wraps, whilst removing dirt, dust, road grime, fingerpr...

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    Perfection Antibacterial Fogger Sanitising Bombs

    Perfection Antibacterial Fogger Sanitiser Bombs are a one use total release sanitiser to fog an area, laying a sanitiser down on all surfaces in th...

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    CARPRO CQUARTZ Ceramic Paint Protection (100ml)

    100ml bottle of CQUARTZ only. Not a kit. The exclusive new 70% SiO2 with 99.9% purity formula made for hot or cold temp environment applications. C...

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    Koch-Chemie Eu Eulex Adhesive and Stain Remover

    The Koch-Chemie Eulex Adhesive and Stain Remover efficiently clears your vehicle of stains, oil, grease, tar, rubber, tree resin and spray mist. It...

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    Chemical Guys Heavy Duty Water Spot Remover (16oz)

    Chemical Guys Heavy Duty Water Spot Remover vanishes away those water spots caused by minerals found in water that dry on surfaces. The acid-based ...

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    CARPRO MultiX Multi-Purpose Cleaner

    CARPRO Multi X has an excellent cleaning power that is completely safe for the surface when used as directed - suitable for interior and exterior u...

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    ValetPRO Classic All Purpose Cleaner

    ValetPRO Classic All Purpose Cleaner is a versatile cleaner designed for use on almost all interior surfaces. Dissolve and lift dirt particles from...

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    Malco Ultra-Violet Premium Wash 'N Wax

    A premium beading Wash 'N Wax which provides durable high-gloss shine in one easy step! Featuring advanced cleaning agents and waxes, they work tog...

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    Autoglym Interior Cleaner (5 Litre)

    For cleaning all types of vehicle interiors. Equally effective on PVC, carpets, leather, synthetic fabric carpets, rubber mats, soiled paintwork, e...

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    Autoglym Hi-Foam Interior Shampoo

    AutoGlym's sprayable Hi-Foam Interior Shampoo is suitable for all fabrics and for use in silicone free environments. This minimises the risk of dam...

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    Koch-Chemie Stain Remover

    The Koch-Chemie Stain Remover (formerly Fleckenwasser) eliminates any leftover grease or organic residues from your vehicle. It can be used on glas...

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    Koch-Chemie Gsb Green Star BMP (10 Litre)

    Koch-Chemie Green Star BMP is a universal cleaner free of phosphate, solvents, and NTA, designed for mechanical and manual cleaning of workshop, in...

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    Koch-Chemie Cst Copo Star BMP-T

    The Koch-Chemie Copo Star BMP-T is a highly concentrated and high foaming pre-cleaner that removes insects, bird droppings, and engine and rim dirt...

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    Microfiber Madness Slogger Towel

    The Slogger is an all-purpose microfibre towel. Designed for the use on interiors such as leather, plastic or APC. The ultrasonic cut prevents scra...

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    Koch-Chemie Eum Eulex M Adhesive Remover

    The Koch-Chemie Eulex M Adhesive Remover clears adhesive, tree sap ad rubber marks from matt-painted and glass surfaces. This is achieved by first ...

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    Koch-Chemie Gs Green Star Universal Cleaner (22kg)

    Koch-Chemie Green Star is a highly concentrated alkaline based universal cleaner which is phosphate- and solvent-free. Ideal for use on car interio...

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    SONAX XTREME Upholstery + Alcantara Cleaner (400ml)

    Gently and thoroughly cleans all textiles in the car's interior, even delicate Alcantara surfaces. The product's odour eradicating properties quick...

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    SONAX PROFILINE MultiStar All Purpose Cleaner Concentrate (1 Litre)

    Powerful all-purpose cleaner (APC) for cleaning motor vehicles. The micro-active surfactant combination provides a maximum cleaning power with high...

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    Garage Therapy Citrus

    A premium deep cleansing pre-wash and all-purpose cleaner that is highly concentrated with di-limonene and non-caustic biodegradable sugar-based su...

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    SONAX PROFILINE All-Purpose Cleaner Foam (400ml)

    Highly active, versatile foam cleaner for all surfaces, such as upholstery, carpets, glass, paintwork, rubber, and plastics. Active foam formulatio...

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All Purpose Car Cleaner: Versatile Cleaning for Every Surface

All purpose cleaners, often abbreviated as APC, are multipurpose cleaners that can be used to remove a wide variety of contaminants from almost any surface. APCs usually come in liquid and spray-on form for ease of use and are widely used in the detailing world due to their versatility. There is no strict formulation of ingredients for all purpose car cleaners, but they are typically a light to medium degreaser.

At Slim's Detailing we stock APC car cleaners from trusted brands including Bilt Hamber, Koch-Chemie, Gtechniq, Chemical Guys, CARPRO, ValetPRO, SONAX, and more. Whether you need a concentrated all purpose car cleaner for heavy-duty use or a ready-to-use spray for regular maintenance, you'll find the right product here.

Trusted by detailers and first-time users

"I've been using Surfex HD for six years and see no reason to change. It gives outstanding value when I dilute it to five percent and is incredibly versatile." – Simon Brayford (Bilt Hamber Surfex HD All Purpose Cleaner)

"This stuff gets dirty vehicles clean with minimal effort. I've only used it once but it cleaned all the surfaces really well and left them shiny and water repellent, ready for protection." – Craig (Gtechniq W5 Citrus All Purpose Cleaner)

"Very good for massive stains." – Valentin Georgiev (Koch-Chemie MZR Mehrzweckreiniger)

"Does exactly what it says, really does a really good job in cleaning, highly recommend." – Saqab Din (Chemical Guys Nonsense Colourless & Odourless All Surface Cleaner)

Which all purpose car cleaner is right for you?

Best for general versatility: A good all purpose car cleaner should be safe across paintwork, glass, rubber, plastic, metals, and fabric. CARPRO MultiX Multi-Purpose Cleaner and ValetPRO Classic All Purpose Cleaner are both highly versatile options suitable for interior and exterior use.

Best for concentrated value: If you're diluting down for multiple uses, a highly concentrated APC gives the best value. Koch-Chemie Gs Green Star Universal Cleaner is a highly concentrated alkaline based universal cleaner that goes a long way, also available in a 22kg size for professional use. Bilt Hamber Surfex HD is another outstanding concentrated option, offering exceptional value when diluted and matching the performance of solvent-based systems while remaining biodegradable.

Best for interior surfaces: Some APCs are formulated with interior use in mind, safe for fabric, carpet, leather, and trim. Koch-Chemie MZR Mehrzweckreiniger is specifically an interior and specialist cleaner for deep and thorough cleaning. SONAX PROFILINE All-Purpose Cleaner Foam is a highly active foam cleaner for upholstery, carpets, glass, paintwork, rubber, and plastics.

Best for engine bays and heavy soiling: Koch-Chemie Green Star and Koch-Chemie Gsb Green Star BMP are both suitable for engine bay cleaning, workshop floors, and industrial surfaces as well as vehicle exteriors.

Best for matte and satin finishes: Chemical Guys Meticulous Matte Auto Wash is specifically formulated for matte paint finishes and vinyl wraps, cleaning without affecting the flat finish.

Best for adhesive and stain removal: Koch-Chemie Eu Eulex Adhesive and Stain Remover efficiently removes stains, oil, grease, tar, rubber, tree resin, and spray mist. Koch-Chemie Eum Eulex M is the matt-safe version, formulated specifically for matt-painted and glass surfaces.

Best for water spots: Chemical Guys Heavy Duty Water Spot Remover uses an acid-based formula to dissolve mineral deposits left by water drying on paintwork, glass, and other surfaces.

Why use an all purpose car cleaner?

Most car cleaning products such as shampoos and snow foams are designed to remove contaminants from the surface of your paintwork without affecting any existing protective layers. APC car cleaners are designed to remove the same contaminants more thoroughly, even where doing so may have an effect on the protective layer beneath. APCs should not contain ingredients that damage paintwork, so they should be safe on paint, gelcoat, glass, rubber, plastic, fabric, and metals, even when used at full strength.

All purpose car cleaners are not as strong as dedicated engine bay cleaners but are considerably stronger than shampoos. Their versatility is what makes them such a valuable part of a detailing kit. Key ways an APC can be used:

  • Sprayed onto a brush to clean door jambs, petrol flaps, and hinges

  • Applied directly to wheels and tyres and agitated with a wheel brush

  • Used to clean polishing pads after use

  • Diluted for regular interior cleaning of seats, carpets, and fabric roofs

  • Applied to engine bays at appropriate dilution ratios

  • Used as a pre-cleaner before a more thorough detail

Concentration and dilution ratios matter significantly with APCs. A highly concentrated product like Bilt Hamber Surfex HD or Koch-Chemie Green Star can be diluted anywhere from 1:5 to 1:20 or more depending on the task, making them extremely cost-effective for regular use.

All purpose car cleaner product breakdown

All Purpose Car Cleaners

Bilt Hamber Surfex HD All Purpose Cleaner effortlessly attacks all oil and grease-based soiling. Unlike solvent-based cleaners it also handles organic and water-deposited grime, providing performance levels that match and exceed solvent systems while meeting the latest standards of biodegradability. SONAX PROFILINE MultiStar All Purpose Cleaner Concentrate is a powerful APC car cleaner with micro-active surfactant technology for maximum cleaning power, suitable for interior and exterior surfaces. CARPRO MultiX Multi-Purpose Cleaner has excellent cleaning power that is completely safe for the surface when used as directed, suitable for interior and exterior use. Gtechniq W5 Citrus All Purpose Cleaner is a biodegradable pH neutral formula that removes road grime and bug splatter with ease, suitable for engine bays, interiors, wheels, and more. Chemical Guys Nonsense Colourless & Odourless All Surface Cleaner leaves no odour, no colour, and no residue, making it a clean, neutral option for all surfaces. ValetPRO Classic All Purpose Cleaner is a versatile cleaner designed for use on almost all interior surfaces, dissolving and lifting dirt particles effectively.

Koch-Chemie Green Star Universal Cleaner is a highly concentrated alkaline based universal cleaner that is phosphate and solvent-free, ideal for car interiors, exteriors, and engine bays. The Green Star BMP variant is a universal cleaner free of phosphate, solvents, and NTA, designed for mechanical and manual cleaning. Koch-Chemie Cst Copo Star BMP-T is a highly concentrated, high-foaming pre-cleaner that removes insects, bird droppings, and engine and rim dirt effectively.

Interior Cleaners

Koch-Chemie MZR Mehrzweckreiniger is specifically formulated as an interior and specialist cleaner for deep and thorough cleaning of vehicle interiors. SONAX PROFILINE All-Purpose Cleaner Foam is a highly active foam cleaner for upholstery, carpets, glass, paintwork, rubber, and plastics. SONAX XTREME Upholstery & Alcantara Cleaner gently and thoroughly cleans all textiles including delicate Alcantara surfaces, with odour-eradicating properties. Autoglym Interior Cleaner is equally effective on PVC, carpets, leather, synthetic fabric, rubber mats, and soiled paintwork. Autoglym Hi-Foam Interior Shampoo is a sprayable foam shampoo suitable for all fabrics and silicone-free environments.

Stain and Adhesive Removers

Koch-Chemie Eu Eulex Adhesive and Stain Remover efficiently clears stains, oil, grease, tar, rubber, tree resin, and spray mist from vehicle surfaces. Koch-Chemie Eum Eulex M Adhesive Remover is the matt-safe version, formulated for adhesive, tree sap, and rubber marks from matt-painted and glass surfaces. Koch-Chemie Stain Remover eliminates leftover grease and organic residues and can be used on glass, paintwork, plastic, rubber, and fabric. Chemical Guys Heavy Duty Water Spot Remover uses an acid-based formula to dissolve mineral deposits from water spots on paintwork and glass.

Specialist Cleaners

Chemical Guys Meticulous Matte Auto Wash cleans and protects matte paint finishes and vinyl wraps, removing dirt, dust, road grime, and fingerprints without affecting the flat finish. Perfection Antibacterial Fogger Sanitising Bombs are a one-use total release sanitiser that fogs an area, laying sanitiser down on all surfaces in the vehicle interior. Malco Ultra-Violet Premium Wash 'N Wax combines advanced cleaning agents with wax components for a durable high-gloss shine in one step. CARPRO CQUARTZ Ceramic Paint Protection provides ceramic-level paint protection using a 70% SiO2 formula.

Accessories

Microfiber Madness Slogger Towel is an all-purpose microfibre towel designed for use on interiors including leather, plastic, and APC applications. The ultrasonic cut prevents scratching on delicate surfaces.

Frequently asked questions

What does APC stand for in car detailing? APC stands for all purpose cleaner. It is the widely used abbreviation in the detailing world for multipurpose cleaning products that can be used safely across a wide range of surfaces and tasks.

Can I use an all purpose car cleaner on paintwork? Yes. A car all purpose cleaner should be safe on paint, gelcoat, glass, rubber, plastic, and metals. However APCs are stronger than shampoos and may affect existing wax or sealant protection, particularly at higher concentrations. For regular maintenance washing, a dedicated car shampoo is the better choice. APCs are best used for targeted cleaning tasks or as part of a full detail.

Do I need to dilute an APC car cleaner? Most concentrated APCs need to be diluted before use, and the correct dilution ratio depends on the task. A higher concentration suits heavier soiling on wheels or engine bays; a more diluted mix is appropriate for interior surfaces or lighter cleaning. Always follow the dilution guidance on the product you choose.

Is an all purpose car cleaner safe on fabric and carpet? Yes. APCs are very effective on fabric seats, carpets, and fabric roofs. They are generally safe to use on these surfaces when used at the appropriate dilution. Products like Koch-Chemie MZR and SONAX PROFILINE All-Purpose Cleaner Foam are particularly well suited to interior fabric cleaning.

Browse all purpose car cleaners at Slim's Detailing

Whether you're looking for a concentrated APC car cleaner for heavy-duty use, a ready-to-use spray for interior surfaces, or a specialist formula for stains, adhesives, or matte finishes, you'll find the right product here. Browse the full range of all purpose car cleaners and find what suits your detailing routine.