Verso All Purpose Cleaner And Its Many Uses

The Kit Bag Essential That Can Really Do It All...

There’s no doubt that Verso All Purpose Cleaner is one of the most versatile detailing products we’ve ever created—the name says it all. This highly concentrated, dilute-to-suit cleaner and degreaser is designed to handle a wide range of tasks, from light cleaning to tackling the toughest grime, on virtually any surface inside and out. Its advanced formula works by breaking down, lifting, and encapsulating contaminants, safely suspending them in the solution for easy rinsing or wiping away.

But where does Verso truly excel? How does it work? And what about those all-important dilution ratios? These are common questions, and we’ve got the answers. Let’s dive in and explore why Verso is a must-have in every car detailing kit...

Why Should Verso APC Be Diluted?

It’s not just about saving money—though with a single liter of this concentrated cleaner yielding up to 10 liters of solution, it’s undeniably cost-effective. More importantly, proper dilution ensures you’re using the right strength for the level of soiling you’re tackling. Heavier grime contains more particles of grit, grease, and fatty oils that need to be encapsulated by the cleaning and degreasing agents (various surfactants) in the solution. The more contamination there is, the more surfactants are required to break it down effectively.

If the dilution is too weak, the surfactants will only remove the first layer of grime, leaving the remaining dirt untouched once the spent solution is wiped away. On the other hand, using too strong a mix not only wastes product but may also introduce unnecessary surfactants to sensitive surfaces while reducing the crucial role of another key component—water.

Water plays a vital role in the cleaning process, as it actively helps lift contaminants away. Surfactants are both hydrophobic and hydrophilic, meaning they are attracted to and repelled by water at the same time. Without enough water in the mix, the spent surfactants wouldn’t be effectively drawn away, reducing the product’s ability to pull dirt and oils from surfaces. This also explains why stronger dilutions rinse away so easily—the surfactants carrying the dirt are naturally pulled toward the rinse water.

While Verso concentrate already contains some water molecules, making it an aqueous detergent formula, adding the right amount of water in your Pro Mixing Bottle or Foaming Pressure Sprayer optimises its performance. Proper dilution ensures grime is effectively removed without leaving streaks or being too harsh on delicate surfaces.

How Do The Surfactants Actually Remove Contamination?

Verso contains a carefully balanced blend of surfactants, each designed to tackle different types of soiling. High-foaming anionic surfactants are ideal for lifting and encapsulating particulate dirt, while low-foaming non-ionic surfactants specialize in removing oil-based contaminants—a process known as degreasing. The formula also includes emulsifiers, which break down large fatty molecules into smaller, more manageable ones, along with a small amount of solvent-based agents to help dissolve stubborn organic stains. These additional ingredients work together to reduce soiling into a form that surfactants can effectively lift away.

But how exactly do surfactants work? It all comes down to their unique relationship with water molecules. Surfactants function like microscopic tadpoles, with hydrophilic (water-attracting) heads and hydrophobic (water-repelling) tails that latch onto grease, grime, and other contaminants. This dual nature is what allows them to lift, encapsulate, and hold onto dirt.

On a microscopic scale, thousands of surfactants come together to form micelles—tiny spherical structures with their water-attracting heads on the outside and grime-attracting tails tucked inside. When these micelles encounter dirt, they open up, allowing their tails to grab onto the contaminants. Because their heads are naturally drawn to water, when you rinse or wipe the surface, the micelles pull the dirt away, preventing it from reattaching. This process suspends the contamination in the solution, making it easy to remove for a spotless finish.

This is the cleaning action performed by all the cleaning agents that we use on cars. For more on the science behind Verso and our range of other detailing products see our article: How Car Cleaning Products Work.

When Should Verso Be Used?

The answer is simple: there are countless areas where this versatile product is the perfect cleaning solution. Here are some top tips on using Verso, shared by our professional detailers…

Tyre Sidewalls

One common mistake in detailing is failing to properly cleanse the tyre sidewalls during the wheel cleaning stage, often overlooked by many. However, this can lead to issues when applying a tyre dressing later on.

A 1:2 dilution of Verso, agitated with a Rubber Scrubber Tyre Brush, will effectively draw out and remove any stubborn contaminants, remnants of old dressings, and grime that could prevent the new dressing from bonding properly. Nobody wants a dressing over a crusty, gritty tyre—fortunately, this issue is easy to resolve during your car wash.

During The Pre-Wash

For deep-cleaning heavily soiled vehicles, a dilution of Verso between 1:2 and 1:5 works great as a heavy-duty, spray-on pre-cleaner during your pre-wash stage. You can even run Verso through your Snow Foam Lance for better penetration, and it’s also effective in milder dilutions for cleaning wheels.

Keep in mind, however, that Verso is a powerful cleaner and degreaser. Unlike our Citrus Power Bug and Grime Remover or Dynamite Traffic Film Remover, it's not designed to be wax or sealant-friendly. While it's not ideal for quick maintenance washes, it’s perfect for more intensive cleaning tasks and large details. So, if you're prepping for polishing, adding protection later, or tackling well-used work vehicles, off-roaders, or neglected barn finds, Verso is the ideal pre-wash solution for a deep clean.

Fuel Flaps & Door Jambs

This is where the heavy-duty degreasers in Verso really shine. Door jambs, especially around locks and hinges, often accumulate dirty, greasy recesses that are easily overlooked during regular cleaning. Because these contaminants are sticky, they attract more dirt and grit over time, and need to be removed carefully to avoid scratching painted surfaces. While you can certainly relubricate these parts after cleaning, fresh lube is always better than old grease that’s been trapping grime for extended periods.

In these areas, many cars also feature plastic sill protectors that may need extra attention. The same goes for around fuel flaps, where you'll find fuel and oil-based contaminants. A 1:7-1:5 dilution of Verso, agitated with a Detailing Brush or Feather Tip Brush, will clean these spots effectively.

Exterior Plastic Trim

Much like with tyres, many people don’t realise that thoroughly deep-cleaning matte exterior plastics with Verso before applying finishing dressings can significantly improve the bond and extend the life of your dressings. Any grease or grime left on the surface forms a barrier that prevents the dressing from properly adhering to the plastic. These surfaces can’t be polished or decontaminated, which makes deep chemical cleaning even more crucial. Additionally, some silicone and water-based dressings are designed to soak into the top layer of plastics to restore their colour and provide protection. Without proper cleaning, the dressing won’t be able to properly penetrate, which means you’re not getting the full benefit, and it won’t last as long. A 1:10 dilution is all you need—simply spray on, agitate, and wipe with a clean microfibre Work Cloth.

Rubber Window Strips

Here’s a handy tip: a little neat Verso on a microfibre Work Cloth can work wonders on your rubber window strips. What you're essentially doing is using the cleaner and cloth to strip away a microscopic layer of rubber, revealing the fresh material underneath—similar to polishing paintwork. This is especially effective for removing polish residue and the ingrained dirt that rubber tends to collect over time. On older vehicles, it can also help restore the original black colour, preventing faded rubbers from detracting from the rest of your detail.

Carpets, Mats & Fabrics

Interior carpets and floor mats are often some of the most soiled areas in a vehicle. They trap mud, dirt, grit, food particles, and much more. The key difference with these surfaces is that they’re made of soft fibres, which are perfect for holding onto every bit of grime you track in on your shoes and clothing. However, you don't need an extremely strong dilution of Verso to tackle the mess. A 1:7 dilution is more than enough to penetrate deep into the fibres, breaking down the dirt without damaging the material. Once the grime is broken down, it’s suspended in the solution, making it easy to wipe away.

Start by vacuuming the carpets and mats to remove any loose dirt, so the Verso can target the deep-down grime. Spray the diluted solution over the area, making sure to cover the heavily soiled parts, but don’t oversaturate. For the best results, agitate the solution with an Upholstery Brush or Interior Detail Brush. The goal is not to scrub, but to refresh the solution on the worst affected spots. This motion will move the old, dirty solution away and bring fresh solution in to break down the remaining grime. After agitating, wipe the area with a microfibre cloth or vacuum up the solution.

For general fabric seat cleaning, you can use a 1:10 dilution of Verso, applying a stronger mixture for spot cleaning stains or more stubborn dirt. The same 1:10 dilution is perfect for refreshing other interior fabrics, such as headlinings and seatbelts. Just be sure not to saturate the surface; instead, spray the solution onto a microfibre cloth and wipe the fabric. For dirtier interiors, you can add some Verso to a bucket of water, dip in your cloth, wring it out, and use the damp cloth to wipe down surfaces thoroughly. This method works on plastics, door cards, and trim too – showing just how versatile Verso really is.

For more on Verso and our other interior cleaning products, check out our full article: The Detailers Guide To Interior Car Cleaning.

Leather Surfaces

When it comes to interiors, a mild dilution of Verso is also useful for cleaning heavily soiled leather without risking damage to the surface. Leather seats and trim often accumulate body oils and sweat, leading to a shiny appearance. However, shiny leather typically indicates dirt, and it will require a degreasing agent to remove the oil-based contamination. The goal is to achieve a clean, matte finish, but without using a degreaser that's too harsh and could dry out the leather. Additionally, heavy grime and dye from clothing can become embedded in the surface of the leather, requiring a surfactant to break down and lift away these contaminants. Fortunately, a mild dilution of 1:7 to 1:10 will easily cut through these residues without causing any damage to the leather. The process is simple: just spray the solution over the area, agitate with an Upholstery Brush and wipe away.

While this solution is ideal for deep-cleaning heavily soiled leather in major details, it's not recommended for regular upkeep on cleaner areas. For more routine cleaning, we suggest using our gentle, glycerine-based Hide Leather Cleanser. But for big details on heavily contaminated vehicles, or periodic deep-cleans, Verso offers a powerful and highly effective solution.

For more on interior leather, see our full article: Cleaning Leather Car Seats.

In Your Engine Bay

Engine bays are often overlooked during detailing, but they’re an area where a little Verso can make a big difference. Grease, grime, and oil stains are common under the bonnet, and these are exactly the types of tough contaminants that Verso is designed to break down, with its degreasing properties being a key feature. A stronger solution, such as 1:2 or 1:5, will tackle the heaviest grease and oils and can be uses as an effective substitution for more specialist products such as Eradicate Engine Degreaser.

Simply spray on your Verso and use a suitable brush to work it into the shuts, plastic covers, rubber seals, metal parts, painted areas, and around hinges and bonnet latches. Then, rinse away the grime thoroughly with a pressure washer for a spotless finish.

Dirt-Traps

Regular viewers of our YouTube Channel will have noticed that we love to disassemble cars during our big detailing sessions to uncover those hidden dirt traps that accumulate grime over years of exposure to the elements. It's important to remember that many vehicles have small parts that can be easily removed, and while cleaning them may not have an immediate impact on the overall finish, it serves two key purposes. First, if left unchecked, built-up grime can lead to corrosion in these areas, eventually working its way into the paint and metal beneath. Many cars have suffered from hidden rot for exactly this reason. Secondly, it’s far simpler: particles left behind could get blown out during later stages of your detail, causing defects when performing tasks like machine polishing or finishing. Imagine what even a small piece of grit on your polishing pad could do to your paintwork. So, cleaning these dirt traps early on reduces the risk of complications down the line.

The most common spots where grime collects include areas like light clusters, trim, grilles, and even headlights. When it comes to removing dust and dried mud, Verso is always our go-to product. The dilution ratio depends on the level of contamination, but we recommend starting with a mild 1:10 mix and increasing the concentration as needed.

Soft Top Convertible Roofs

Verso is just as effective on exterior fabrics as it is on those inside your vehicle, with convertible roofs being a prime example. The solution uses surfactants to break down deeply embedded contaminants, safely lifting particles from the fibres without causing any damage. This is especially important for fabric roofs—leaving ingrained dirt with sharp particles that can abrade or damage the fibres could weaken the material, leading to issues like water penetration or even rips and tears— not what you want from the part of the vehicle that’s keeping the rain out!

Although Verso is a heavy-duty degreaser, occasional cleaning with a mild dilution of 1:10 will effectively protect your fabric roof from grime that could damage the fibres over time. For heavier soiling, you can adjust the dilution to around 1:7, but always start with the weaker solution. The key is to use only as much product as necessary to avoid leaving residue in the fabric when rinsing. Simply spray on, agitate with an Upholstery Brush, and rinse away the encapsulated dirt with a pressure washer—it’s that simple.

Wheel Arch Liners

If you're serious about detailing, we’re sure you’ll eventually be removing your wheels to tackle the inner arches. This is where you'll find some of the toughest contamination, including mud, traffic film, oils, road salt, and heavy particulate soiling—grease and grime that can eventually lead to corrosion and structural damage.

A dilution of 1:5 to 1:2, combined with a Rubber Scrubber Tyre Brush, is perfect for tackling this type of heavy grime in the arches, on plastic liners, and around the chassis and suspension components. Apply the solution liberally, use the brush to agitate and lift the soiling, then rinse everything away with your pressure washer. For routine maintenance when the wheels aren't off, simply use a lighter 1:7 dilution and a Barrel Brush before following up with your usual wheel cleaning routine.

See More Top Guides...

We hope you like our top pro tips on the ways that you can use a suitable dilution of Verso All Purpose Cleaner to push your results to the next level. Why not adapt this guide to your next detail?

In the meantime, for yet more top how-to features and product spotlights, check out the Guides Section Of Our Blog.