We recommend starting with the weakest labelled mix of AutoBead All Purpose Cleaner that will clean the surface. Its ratios are water to product: up to 30:1 for general interior cleaning, 10:1 for heavier interior dirt, and stronger exterior mixes only where needed. Test first, remove the residue and keep it off leather. Our all purpose cleaners range offers other formulas for different jobs.
What is AutoBead All Purpose Cleaner for?
It is a concentrated cleaner for approved plastics, fabrics, carpets, door shuts, arch liners and other suitable interior or exterior surfaces. We recommend it for general grime when the surface and dilution match the label. It is not permission to clean every material with one bottle: leather, screens and delicate finishes need separate checks.
How do you dilute AutoBead All Purpose Cleaner?
Start with the weakest mix suitable for the job, then increase strength only if necessary and permitted. The ratios below mean parts water to one part cleaner: 10:1 means ten parts water plus one part product, not ten parts product.
| Where | How dirty | Dilution |
|---|---|---|
| Interior | Heavy soiling | 10:1 |
| Interior | General use | Up to 30:1 |
| Exterior | Heavy soiling | 5:1 |
| Exterior | Medium soiling | 10:1 |
| Exterior | Light soiling | Up to 30:1 |
A marked bottle such as the CarPro Dilute Spray Bottle makes this easy, because its printed ratios from 1:1 to 1:30 cover every AutoBead ratio above; pour the water in first. Our guide to dilution ratios explains the maths if you are mixing in a plain bottle.
How do you use it, step by step?
Measure the dilution, test a hidden area, apply sparingly and remove the loosened dirt and cleaner. We recommend controlling the liquid carefully indoors and around electrics. Exterior rinsing is not suitable for every interior material or electrical area.
- Mix and label: make up a bottle at the ratio for the job, and label it so you know what is inside.
- Test first: try it on a small, hidden area, especially on interior plastics and fabrics.
- Apply: spray the surface, or spray onto a brush or applicator for dashboards and anything near electrics.
- Agitate: work the cleaner into textured plastic, carpet pile or grime with a soft detailing brush or applicator.
- Rinse or wipe: rinse with water outside, or wipe away with a clean microfibre cloth inside.
- Let it dry: leave carpets and upholstery to dry fully before the car is closed up.
What do you need with it?
A marked bottle, an appropriate brush and clean cloths make the concentrate easier to use consistently. These options cover mixing, controlled application and residue removal.
The concentrate itself, in 1L, 5L and 25L.
A 600ml trigger sprayer with 360-degree operation, useful around lower panels and arches. Check its chemical-compatibility guidance against the exact cleaner and dilution before filling it.
Better Synthetic Short Detailing Brush
A 17cm ultra soft brush for vents, switches, trim gaps, badges and other tight areas.
Better Synthetic Long Detailing Brush
The 24cm version, for vents, grilles, wheel faces and engine bay plastics.
Our own brush with stiff nylon bristles for scrubbing tyre rubber.
FibreKing Premium Microfibre Cloths
Single microfibre cloths that work wet or dry, for wiping away the cleaner inside the car.
A pH-neutral option for compatible leather seats and trim. Check the finish and test first, especially on damaged or absorbent leather; do not use the APC as a substitute.
Which jobs suit an all purpose cleaner, and which need a specialist?
Use it on plastics, fabrics, carpets, engine bays and other hard-wearing surfaces, and switch to a specialist product for leather, glass, heavy brake dust and protected paint.
- Good jobs for it: interior plastics and door cards, carpets and mats, door shuts, engine bays, window sills, wheel arch liners and tyre sidewalls.
- Use a specialist for: leather (a leather cleaner), glass (a glass cleaner), heavy brake dust (a wheel cleaner) and protected paintwork (a pre-wash or shampoo).
For a full interior clean, our guides to the best car interior cleaner and how to clean car seats and carpets go further.
Common questions
Can you use AutoBead All Purpose Cleaner on car paint?
For routine bodywork washing, we recommend a suitable pre-wash rather than making APC your default paint cleaner. Even diluted cleaner can affect sensitive finishes or protection. Follow the approved surface list, test first and avoid assuming door shuts or sills are expendable simply because they are less visible.
Can you use it on leather?
No. It is not suitable for leather. Use a dedicated leather cleaner such as AutoBead Leather Cleaner instead, and see our guide to the best car leather cleaner.
Is AutoBead All Purpose Cleaner safe on interior plastics?
It is intended for compatible interior plastics at the labelled dilution, but we recommend a hidden-area test first. Start at the weaker general-cleaning mix, apply to a cloth or brush near switches and keep it away from screens or delicate coatings unless specifically approved.
For under-bonnet cleaning, follow our engine-bay method and check your vehicle's restrictions before using water.
For liners and trapped road dirt, see our wheel-arch cleaning guide.
Need help choosing?
Tell the TDHQ team what you are cleaning and how dirty it is, and we will tell you the ratio and the brush to use. You can also browse every all purpose cleaner, detailing brush and the full AutoBead range.
Last updated 20 October 2026.
