Never Use These Glass Cleaners Anywhere Near Your Automobile’s Dash

You are halfway through cleansing your automobile, spot a smudge on the dash, and reach for that trusty blue bottle of window cleaner. A couple of spritzes, a fast wipe, and done -– except you have just began a slow chemical war against your individual dashboard. Most business glass cleaners like Windex are loaded with ammonia, alcohol, and solvents — components which might be perfectly wonderful for glass but a nightmare for interior plastics, leather, and vinyl.

Ammonia, specifically, is brutal. It breaks down the protective coatings on leather and leatherette (yeah, the fake one). Over time, the dash can begin to dry out, fade, and, eventually, crack –- especially under sunlight. Ammonia also can leave behind an unwanted residue that draws dust and amplifies glare, turning your sleek dashboard right into a reflective eyesore. 

Also, avoid using chemicals with ammonia in your touchscreens. They’re coated with delicate anti-glare and anti-fingerprint layers that keep things looking crisp and clear. Hit them with the cleaner, and you might strip that coating right off. Cloudy screens and unresponsive touch panels are the outcomes. Finally, keep in mind that ammonia could cause physical discomfort and even sickness in the event you’re exposed to an excessive amount of. One whiff can sting your eyes, make you cough, burn your throat, and make every breath difficult.

Automobile interiors are engineered for UV resistance and warmth tolerance, not chemical resistance. So, when it is time to clean that dusty dashboard or restore a sticky one, skip the glass cleaner. You are dissolving the very layer meant to guard it. It’ll shine, but not for long.

The excellent news is that you simply don’t need harsh chemicals to maintain your automobile’s interior spotless. In actual fact, most detailing pros swear by ammonia-free glass cleaners or interior-specific sprays designed for sensitive surfaces. Alternatively, you’ll be able to get a splash and glass cleaner combo. These products use gentler, water-based formulas that lift grime without stripping UV coatings or abandoning reflective haze. 

Pair those cleaners with a microfiber towel — not paper towels, which might scratch soft plastics -– and also you’re already halfway to professional-grade results. Remember to spray the answer on the towel, indirectly onto the dashboard. For infotainment screens and digital clusters, use a cleaner labeled as secure for electronics or basic distilled water and a humid cloth. 

Automakers themselves often recommend OEM-approved, pH-balanced interior cleaners. They’re formulated for the precise materials utilized in their cars. They cost a couple of dollars more but can prevent a whole lot in cracked trim repairs later. Consider it as buying sunscreen to your dashboard — it’s invisible and boring, but it might assist you to avoid a variety of damage in the long term. 

The underside line is that it’s best to avoid using glass cleaners basically in your automobile’s dash. They’re more fitted to cleansing the skin of automobile windows and windshields. The moral here? That low-cost blue bottle is not a shortcut, it is a saboteur, a villain dressed like a cleansing hero.