Car Interior Cleaner with Castile Soap
A mild Castile Soap spray for dashboards, door panels and other washable plastic and vinyl in your car.
Takes 2 minutes · Makes 250 ml
What you’ll need
- 1 tbsp Castile Soap
- 250 ml Distilled water or boiled water, slightly cooled
- Trigger Spray Bottle
- Premium Microfibre Cloth
Method
- Mix 1 tbsp of Organic Castile Soap to 250 ml of distilled or boiled and slightly cooled water.
- Pour into a Trigger Spray Bottle and shake gently.
- Spray lightly onto a Premium Microfibre Cloth, rather than directly onto the surface.
- Use a clean, damp cloth to remove any remaining soap, then dry.
Car dashboards, door panels, plastic, vinyl and other washable interior surfaces.
The film on a dashboard is mostly oils and dust. Soap lifts the oils, and a damp-then-dry wipe leaves a matt, non-sticky finish.
The science: How oils become soap (ScienceDirect) →
Waxed floors:
Do not use Castile Soap on waxed or oiled wood floors, because it could break down the wax.
Mixing with acids:
Since Castile Soap is alkaline, you shouldn’t mix it directly with acidic substances like lemon juice, Citric Acid or vinegar. Acid will react with the soap itself and break apart the soap molecules and neutralise its effects.
Hard Water:
Whilst Castile Soap is a very reliable and mild cleaner, it can leave a residue on shiny or hard surfaces, especially when it’s used with hard water (the soap reacts with minerals from the water to form a salt). Use Castile Soap with distilled water if you live in a hard water area or cut through the leftover residue by applying an acid rinse afterwards like this Citric Acid solution: 1tsp Citric Acid in 250ml, spray onto surfaces and wipe away any residues.
Once prepared, this spray will last for approximately 4 to 8 weeks. For optimal shelf life, store it properly labeled in amber or dark bottles to protect it from light. If it starts to look or smell off before the 8-week mark, discard it and make a fresh batch.
Store Castile Soap sealed tightly, in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
Our fragrance-free Organic Castile Soap is hypoallergenic, pet- and skin-safe, which means it’s less likely to cause allergic reactions than other types of soap. Needs dilution: If you don’t dilute Castile Soap with water, it can be very concentrated. This can make it hard on surfaces and the skin.
B&M Pro-Tip:
Your dashboard can collect an invisible film from interior vapours, which attracts dust and can make the surface look dull or greasy. A gentle clean with a little Castile Soap helps lift everyday dirt without leaving a glossy coating behind. For the best finish, wipe with a clean, dry Premium Microfibre Cloth afterwards.
Quick questions
Can I use it on leather seats?
We’d avoid it. Leather needs its own cleaner and conditioner.
What about the touchscreen?
No. Screens have special coatings, so use a dry microfibre cloth.
Try this next: Rust remover →