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Let's take a look at the science behind car cleaning products...

Cleaners and the cleaning agents they contain are among the most essential products in the world of car detailing. Not only do they break down and lift grease, grime and other contaminants, but more importantly, they ensure that sensitive vehicle surfaces remain undamaged while allowing harmful particles to be removed, all without causing scratches or abrasions. And, as hard as it may be to believe, these cleaners even help water become "wetter"!

We carry a full range of powerful car cleaning products, each designed for specific detailing tasks and suited to various vehicle surfaces, both inside and out. But how do these cleaners actually work? Let us explain...

What type of cleaning chemicals do car cleaners use?

Car cleaning products come in a multitude of different formulations, with many designed for specific detailing tasks such as your pre-wash or interior cleaning. These specialist tasks may require particular chemicals and compounds to care for surfaces like rubber, plastics, bare metal, and fabrics. However, what truly matters in the world of car cleaning is how a product uses a chemical action to break down and encapsulate grease, grime and contamination allowing it to be safely removed from the surface through rinsing or wiping.

Most of the cleaners we use in car detailing are water-based detergent formulas, also known as aqueous agents. These products contain special surfactants that help carry out this cleaning process — more on these most common of safe cleaners later.

That said, it's important to note that water-based cleaners are not the only type of specialized agents used in the world of car detailing - solvents and abrasives are also used for specific tasks such as glass cleaning and tar removal.

Solvent-based Cleaners

Powerful solvent-based products - such as ObliTARate Tar & Glue Remover and Crystal Glass Cleaner - are designed to chemically dissolve sticky residues and oil-based contaminants, turning them into a solute—a substance dissolved in a solution. This makes the contaminants much easier to remove, usually with just a wipe of your microfibre cloth.

The key point here is that solvents must only be used on certain, solvent-resistant, non-oil-based surfaces to avoid damage. They are highly effective on paintwork and glass, but on surfaces like bare plastics and rubber (which are oil-based themselves), solvents can actually melt into the material. While these surfaces will definitely be clean, it’s not necessarily the type of clean you want on a car. Therefore, solvent-based products are best used for targeted cleaning, not for use across an entire vehicle.

Interestingly, some heavy-duty degreasers and all-purpose cleaners, like Eradicate Engine Degreaser and Verso All Purpose Cleaner, while not strictly solvent-based, do contain mild solvent components to help break down oil-based and organic stains more effectively.

Abrasive Cleaners

Abrasive cleaners are similarly designed for targeted use on specific "polishable" surfaces. These products primarily work through mechanical action, often enhanced by the chemical elements included in their formulations. For example, products like Rejuvenate Paintwork Cleanser and Mercury Metal Polish are engineered to scrub away contaminants and oxidation at a molecular level, removing the debris — and sometimes, a very thin layer of the surface itself.

However, abrasive cleaners aren’t suitable for all surfaces. Just as you wouldn’t use a metal polish to clean a leather seat or carpet, these products are best used on materials that can tolerate the scrubbing action without damage. They are effective for surfaces like paintwork or metal, but not ideal for more delicate or soft surfaces.

Mechanical Cleaning and Agitation

Mechanical cleaning should not be confused with the agitation of cleaning products. While there is some mechanical scrubbing involved, helping to loosen dirt even on a microscopic level, the primary purpose of agitating products like Verso All Purpose Cleaner or Total Interior Cleaner is to enhance the chemical action, allowing the cleaner to break down and encapsulate grime. The key here is moving the solution around to ensure it makes contact with all surfaces and reaches into every recess. This process also refreshes the solution, removing the spent cleaner that has already encapsulated grime, and allowing fresh solution to work on any remaining contaminants.

Most cleaners, with the exception of pre-wash products like Citrus Power Bug & Grime Removerand Dynamite Traffic Film Remover (which are designed for heavy soiling and work without direct contact to avoid scratching), benefit from light agitation. Using a soft Detailing Brush or microfibre cloth can make these cleaners even more effective by helping them penetrate deeper into the surface and improve their overall cleaning power.

Water-based Detergents

A detergent is a chemical substance used to break up grease and grime, with soap and car shampoos being common examples. But what exactly makes a detergent work? And, more importantly, how do these products stay safe for cleaning cars, especially considering the variety of surfaces they must work on?

Car cleaners designed for use across multiple surfaces—such as Lather Car Shampoo, Citrus Power Bug & Grime Remover, and Total Interior Cleaner—rely on a very specific chemical action provided by special surface-active agents, or surfactants, within the formulation. These surfactants are key to how these products work effectively while ensuring they are safe for a range of vehicle surfaces.

Surfactants reduce the surface tension of water, allowing it to spread more easily and penetrate grease and grime. They help break down contaminants, allowing them to be emulsified (broken into tiny particles) and washed away without damaging sensitive surfaces. This is why these products are so versatile, able to clean everything from the exterior paintwork to interior upholstery without causing harm.

What Are Surfactants?

Surfactants are the key components that make car cleaning products so effective, and there are several different types, each suited to tackling specific types of soiling. For example, high-foaming anionic surfactants are excellent at lifting and encapsulating particulate soils, while low-foaming non-ionic surfactants are better at emulsifying oils into solutions. While this might sound complicated, what really matters is how these molecules work in practice.

To visualise how surfactants function, think of them as tiny tadpoles. Each surfactant has a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and a hydrophobic (water-repelling) tail. These molecules are strongly attracted to contaminants, which is what makes them so effective. The hydrophilic heads cling to the water in the cleaning solution, while the hydrophobic tails latch onto the dirt and grime.

On a microscopic level, surfactants group together in clusters called micelles. Picture these micelles as tiny balls, where the water-loving heads form the outer surface, and the water-repelling tails sit at the center, trying to avoid contact with the water. When these micelles encounter grime on your vehicle’s surface, the tails attach themselves to the dirt. Because the heads are still attracted to the water in the cleaner, the grime is pulled off the surface and into the cleaning solution. Once the dirt is removed, the micelles reform around the grime, trapping it in the centre, and preventing it from reattaching to the surface. Because the outer surface of the micelle loves water, this allows the whole grime-filled micelle to be rinsed away without scratching.

In addition to lifting dirt, surfactants also alter how water behaves. Normally, water forms droplets due to surface tension, making it less effective at spreading across surfaces or penetrating into materials, like fabrics. Surfactants reduce this surface tension, allowing the water to spread more easily and penetrate into smaller spaces. This makes the cleaning solution far more effective than water alone, helping it lift and remove contaminants more efficiently.

What Are Emulsifiers?

As mentioned, some cleaners are particularly effective at emulsifying oils, which is crucial for cleaning surfaces like fabrics, engines, carpets, and other areas prone to oil-based soiling. This is because water and oils don’t naturally mix — they tend to repel each other. Emulsifiers are special agents that help break down large, fatty oil molecules into much smaller molecules, allowing them to be suspended in the cleaning solution and removed more easily.

Cleaners with a broad range of cleaning abilities typically contain emulsifiers, alongside other cleaning agents that are better suited for tackling different types of grime, such as solid particles. The emulsifier works to break down and disperse oils, while other agents target dirt, dust, and other contaminants.

As with all detailing products, the type of grime you're dealing with is always the key factor in choosing the right cleaner. An emulsifier is essential when you're working with oil-based soiling, but if you're dealing with particulate dirt, other agents might be more effective. Understanding the nature of the dirt you're trying to remove helps ensure you're using the right product for the job.

Acidic, Alkaline, and pH Neutral Cleaners

Every liquid, including cleaning solutions, falls into one of three categories: acidic, alkaline, or neutral. This is determined by the liquid's pH level, which ranges from 0 to 14. The lower the pH, the more acidic the liquid, while the higher the pH, the more alkaline. pH-neutral liquids, like water, sit in the middle with a pH of around 7.

It's important to note that most acidic and alkaline substances aren’t inherently harmful. For instance, lemon juice has a pH of 2, fizzy drinks around 3, and egg whites are alkaline, with a pH of about 9. It's only when you get towards the extreme ends of the scale that you encounter more aggressive substances, such as bleach (pH 13) or battery acid (pH 0).

In terms of cleaning, acids are particularly effective at removing minerals, calcium deposits, metals, and inorganic dirt, while alkaline cleaners are great for breaking down grease and oils. However, when it comes to car detailing, things are a bit more nuanced due to the sensitivity of various surfaces. While both strong acids and alkalines can effectively clean contaminants, they can also damage surfaces and strip away protective layers if not used carefully.

For regular vehicle cleaning, most products are designed to fall near the neutral point on the pH scale, with only slight acidity or alkalinity. Heavy-duty cleaners, like engine degreasers, may lean more towards the alkaline side to break down tough oils, but they are formulated to avoid damaging the vehicle's surfaces.

A pH-neutral cleaner, such as Lather Car Shampoo, is specifically designed to clean effectively without disturbing protective layers like waxes or ceramic coatings. Using a strong acid or alkaline cleaner in this case could strip away those protective layers, leaving the paintwork exposed and vulnerable to damage. This careful balance is why pH-neutral products are often preferred for regular use on vehicles—they clean effectively without compromising the vehicle’s protection.

Top 10 Essential Car Cleaners

So, now that you understand the science behind how cleaners work, how does this all apply to the variety of surfaces on your vehicle? Well, that’s where we come in! We've done the research and developed products tailored for every task. Whether you're dealing with stubborn winter grime or just need to maintain your paintwork without damaging those protective wax layers, we've got you covered. Here’s a selection of ten of our most popular cleaners...

Eradicate Engine Degreaser

Eradicate Engine Degreaser is a powerful solution designed to break down and remove road grime and grease, making it the go-to product for deep cleaning engine bays. Formulated with a special blend of high-foaming degreasers, it excels at emulsifying and removing water-insoluble oils. Despite its strength, it's been engineered to be safe on a wide range of surfaces, including plastics, bare metal, and rubber — making it suitable for both modern vehicles and classic cars.

Cleaning is simple: just apply this ready-to-use cleaner generously, agitate to lift the grime, and rinse away the dirt suspended in the solution. That’s all there is to it!

Imperial Wheel Cleaner

To be an effective alloy wheel cleaner, and capable of safely removing extremely harsh particulate contaminants like brake dust, salt and road grime, the solution has to be extremely powerful. The largest concentration of these kinds of heavy soiling are found on wheels for the simple reason that they're the part of the vehicle that practically touches the ground and they have to endure the most extreme transfer of contamination from the road, not to mention the brakes on the car. The trouble with wheels though, is that they come in all sorts of sensitive finishes, meaning that you really do have to be careful what type of cleaner you put on them. Strong acids can cause damage, even to common painted or powdercoated wheels.

Imperial Acid Free Wheel Cleaner is the answer, this one has been formulated for removal of all these hardy contaminants, even when they're thoroughly baked-on. But by using a special blend of potent cleaning agents and degreasers, we've also kept this one acid-free making it suitable for regular use and safe on sensitive finishes.

Citrus Power Bug & Grime Remover

Citrus Power Bug & Grime Remover is a ready-to-use, first-stage pre-cleaner designed to break down, lift, and encapsulate heavy road contaminants — all without the need for agitation. The pre-wash stage is one of the most crucial steps in the washing process, as it removes sharp, gritty particles from the vehicle before they come into contact with your wash mitt. The goal is to prevent these potentially damaging particles from being dragged across the paintwork, which can lead to swirl marks.

Instead, Citrus Power works by dissolving the grime and suspending it in the solution, allowing it to be safely rinsed away.

This powerful pre-cleaner is safe for use on all surfaces, including paintwork, glass, rubber, and plastics. Despite its strength in tackling stubborn contaminants, it’s specially formulated to avoid stripping away previously applied protection layers, so your vehicle’s finish remains safe and swirl-free.

Dynamite Traffic Film Remover

Dynamite Traffic Film Remover is a powerful, concentrated cleaner designed for heavy-duty use. It’s ideal as a first-stage product and can be used on its own or alongside Citrus Power to tackle tough, caked-on dirt like mud, road grime, and traffic films. In addition, it works as an effective degreaser, breaking down water-insoluble, oil-based contaminants. Safe for all vehicle surfaces, Dynamite is gentle on sensitive finishes, including paint, plastic, rubber, and glass.

The dilution ratios can be adjusted to suit the level of cleaning needed, making it an incredibly versatile solution. One litre of concentrate can yield up to 10 litres of cleaning solution, while helping to preserve delicate protective layers on your vehicle.

Avalanche Snow Foam

Avalanche Snow Foam is the ultimate solution for a swirl-free pre-wash, designed to tackle even the most stubborn grime without damaging coatings or wax layers.

Formulated with a citrus-infused blend, this thick foam is activated and applied using a Snow Foam Lance, where it clings to surfaces for extended dwell time. Unlike traditional cleaners, Avalanche stays on longer, giving it more time to break down and lift contaminants effectively. This means it can clean surfaces without direct contact, reducing the risk of scratching. Its unique formula also reaches into panel gaps and crevices, tackling hard-to-reach areas that often go unnoticed. Ideal for those looking to remove grime thoroughly and safely before the contact wash.

Lather Car Shampoo

Lather Car Shampoo is an essential product for achieving the ultimate swirl-free contact wash. This specially formulated shampoo combines advanced cleaning agents, concentrated lubricants, and carefully selected surfactants to effectively remove oil-based contaminants and heavy particulate soiling.

Crafted to produce a rich, pH-neutral foam, Lather breaks down and lifts abrasive dirt while providing a lubricating layer that prevents scratches during washing. It cleans thoroughly without compromising wax, sealants, or coatings, ensuring your vehicle’s protection remains intact. Once the grime is suspended in the foam, it can be easily rinsed away without leaving any residue behind.

Free from waxes, shine enhancers, or rinse aids, Lather is purely a deep-cleansing solution, allowing for a clean surface that won’t interfere with any further detailing steps. Perfect for those who want a clean, residue-free finish prior to polishing or applying other products.

Iron Out Contaminant Remover

Iron Out Fallout Remover is a powerful decontamination solution designed to dissolve embedded ferrous metal fallout, primarily from brake dust and other metal particles. While it can assist in cleaning, its primary function is paint decontamination, as it targets particles that regular washing cannot remove. Upon application, Iron Out reacts with the contamination, causing the solution to turn a distinct blood red, or "bleed," which visually highlights the areas where harmful metal particles have been lifted and suspended, ready to be safely rinsed away.

Though specifically formulated for safe paintwork decontamination—an essential step before polishing or applying protective layers—Iron Out’s advanced formula also makes it an excellent periodic deep cleaner for wheels and under arches. These areas typically accumulate the highest concentrations of damaging metal fallout, and Iron Out effectively cleans them, reducing the risk of corrosion and ensuring a thorough, safe cleaning process.

Verso All Purpose Cleaner

Verso All Purpose Cleaner is an incredibly versatile, dilute-to-suit solution designed to tackle a wide range of cleaning tasks. Whether you're removing heavy particulate soil, degreasing, or cleaning carpets, Verso adapts to your needs with dilution ratios ranging from 1:1 for tough grime, to 1:10 for lighter cleaning jobs. Simply agitate with a brush or microfiber cloth to break down even the most stubborn dirt and contaminants.

To get the best results, we recommend using Verso in our Pro Mixing Bottle or Pump Pressure Sprayer. For heavy-duty cleaning, such as tires, arches, and heavily soiled areas, dilute at 1:3. For engine bays or moderate soiling, go for a 1:5 ratio. For lighter tasks like carpets and upholstery, a 1:10 dilution is ideal. With its powerful formula and customizable dilution, Verso is the go-to cleaner for any job.

Crystal Glass Cleaner

Crystal Glass Cleaner is the essential finishing touch for any detail, designed to provide a flawless, streak-free finish on all vehicle glass surfaces. This highly concentrated formula blends mild distilled solvents to effortlessly cut through fingerprints, grime, and greasy films, leaving windows sparkling clean both inside and out.

Safe for use on all vehicle glass, including sensitive surfaces like polycarbonate, acrylic, and Lexan motorsport windows, Crystal Glass Cleaner is a versatile solution. In addition to its cleaning power, it can help minimize the appearance of light scratches, making it perfect for maintaining glass between regular detail sessions. Whether you're prepping for a show or just maintaining clarity, Crystal ensures a crystal-clear, smear-free finish every time.

Total Interior Cleaner

Total Interior Cleaner is a ready-to-use, all-purpose cleaning solution designed for regular use on a wide range of interior surfaces, including sensitive plastics and Alcantara. Developed as a safe alternative to harsher general-purpose APCs, Total is ideal for delicate materials like soft-touch plastics, vinyl, and fabric, ensuring thorough cleaning without the risk of abrasion or staining.

Formulated with advanced, low-foaming surfactants, Total effectively breaks down both organic and inorganic contaminants, from grease and oil to mud, mildew, silicone-based dressings, grass stains, and even suntan lotion. It’s perfect for everyday cleaning, sanitizing, and spot treatment, as well as tackling more intensive deep-cleaning jobs.

For deeply ingrained stains, simply agitate with an Upholstery Brush or Interior Detail Brush to restore a fresh, factory-like finish with a clean lime fragrance. Total Interior Cleaner ensures your vehicle’s interior remains spotless and protected, from daily upkeep to more focused detailing.

We hope that little lot answers all your questions on our huge range of car cleaners, and how they work to give you the safest possible detail.

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