Can You Use Pledge On Car Interior? (Explained)

Pledge is considered safe to use on wood paneling, glass, and vinyl. These three are the materials that make up the interiors of most cars.

This, therefore, means, that yes you can use Pledge on the car interior. Ever since it was first sold in 1958 by S.C Johnson & Son, car detailers and owners have been using it to dust and clean interiors.

Even though Pledge is safe to use on car interiors, we are usually very cautious when it comes to auto detailing products.

As of today, there are many automotive interior dressings on the market. These products are very cheap and are easily available.

And even though you may not run into any issues with Pledge, it’s important to use products that are specifically formulated for car interiors.

Understandably, you may argue that Pledge has been used to clean car interiors for decades. However, when you think of it, how many auto interior dressings existed in the ’70s or ’80s?

Plus, the art of auto detailing was yet to be instilled into the minds of ordinary car owners. Therefore, folks back then didn’t have a choice in the matter.

Today, the composition of most materials used in our car interiors has changed. Modern automotive dressings have been created to meet the needs of these materials.

For instance, most dash cleaners feature UV protection which is something that Pledge lacks. Even though Pledge and most interior cleaners are designed to do the same job and that is to clean.

Car interior cleaners and protectants boast more unique and useful features that will help retain the beauty of your interiors for longer.

The decision on whether you should or shouldn’t use Pledge depends on how you look at things. It may seem like the ideal product to use on a car interior if you have some at home.

It works on various surfaces, possesses strong cleansing properties, and has a great scent. Also, it’s safe to use on vinyl and wood paneling.

But, it doesn’t give you all the luxuries of auto interior cleaners and protectants.

The likes of plastic need UV protection. We have leather which contains essential oils that can be stripped off when you use cleaners such as Pledge.

And these benefits can only be enjoyed when you use a quality car interior cleaner and protectant.

A Quick Overview of Pledge Surface Cleaner

You may be a huge fan of Pledge, always using it in your home or car. But, what else do you know about this cleaner?

To rule out whether Pledge is safe for use on car interiors, we need to look at its properties and what it is.

Pledge is a multi-surface cleaner that comes in a spray bottle. You can use it to clean the dust on furniture, vinyl, glass, electronics, and granite.

It is known to work well on hard surfaces but not on soft surfaces. This is the first feature that shows why Pledge isn’t an ideal cleaner for car interiors.

The soft and supple leather, a cleaner for hard surfaces such as Pledge may damage it over time.

Even though we don’t recommend Pledge to be used on car interiors, this cleaner has tons of great features. For instance, it has a pleasant citrus scent that makes your car smell amazing.

It comes in a spray bottle and this makes application easy and simple. Being a multi-surface cleaner, you don’t have to juggle with tons of spray cans as is the case with the different car interior cleaners and protectants.

Other than being a cleaner, Pledge is also a disinfectant. That can come in very handy when cleaning your vehicle.

Pledge has been known to streak, you, therefore, need to use it always with a clean microfiber cloth to prevent streaks from developing.

Compared to auto interior cleaners and protectants, Pledge is very affordable. This is among the main reasons why many car owners love it.

Though great at cleaning your car interior, Pledge lacks useful properties that make it ideal for use on vehicle interiors.

If you are concerned about preserving the look of your interior and the various parts, use the right automotive interior dressings. While shopping for these, you must stick to reputable brands.

What are the Uses of Pledge?

This is a cleaner that removes, dust particles and fingerprints on hard surfaces. Unlike regular cleaners that leave the surface dry, Pledge leaves behind a glossy and protective coating.

What makes Pledge so popular is how fast and easy it cleans surfaces. Plus, it’s a multi-surface cleaner that can be used on many surfaces.

Can I Use Pledge on Plastic?

We did not mention plastic in the above description of the surfaces that Pledge can be used on. So, you may be wondering, can Pledge be used on plastic? After all, plastic is a material that is commonly used in most cars nowadays.

Fortunately, Pledge can be used on plastic. The only surfaces that Pledge shouldn’t be used on are unsealed wood and porous stone.

So, you can confidently use the pledge on plastic. And the good thing about it is that it reduces static on plastic, which is responsible for attracting dust.

So, if you have a plastic dashboard, with some Pledge, you don’t have to worry about cleaning dust all the time.

Is Pledge Good for Leather?

When it comes to leather interiors, you just have to use products specifically formulated to clean and condition leather. Pledge will thoroughly clean leather but it will also remove the oils that give leather its supple texture.

The above is not the only reason why you shouldn’t use Pledge on leather. This product tends to create a build-up of leather that is very difficult to remove.

Most people end up damaging the leather when trying to remove the buildup caused by excessive use of Pledge on a car interior. Pledge may be good on plastic, vinyl, and other surfaces, but it’s not a good idea for you to use it on leather.

Does Pledge Leave Streaks on Glass?

S.C Johnson & Son claims that Pledge can be used on all surfaces, even glass. However, it leaves streaks behind when applied to glass.

So, do not try and use Pledge to clean your car windows or windshield. This is because you will have to clean the streaks with shampoo and a microfiber cloth.

Which Brands Should I Go for When Shopping for Car Interior Cleaners?

If you were using Pledge before, and after reading the above, you have been convinced that it’s not the best cleaner for your car interior, congratulations on making this bold step.

We understand that it’s not easy to let go of old habits and shortcuts. However, for the sake of your car interior, using specialized products goes a long way in ensuring your interior looks neat and retains its new finish for longer.

For those of you who are in the market for a car interior cleaner, there are many options you can choose from. It may get confusing especially if you don’t know a thing or two about upholstery cleaners.

To help you with that below is a compilation of some of the reputable brands that make quality upholstery cleaners. They include; Meguiar’s, Turtle Wax, Chemical Guys, Armor All, Black Diamond, and Tuff Stuff.

The cleaners made by these companies are powerful yet gentle on car surfaces. You can’t go wrong with either of these. While shopping for upholstery cleaners, get a protectant as well. These often go hand in hand.

What If I don’t have an Interior Cleaner?

There are times when you may not have an interior cleaner. The good news however is that a car interior can easily be cleaned using car wash shampoo or your detergent of choice, water, and a microfiber cloth.

Any mild detergent, as long as it doesn’t streak or damage vinyl and plastic surfaces, can be used to clean the interior.

Mix the detergent with some water to create a soapy solution, dip a cloth inside, and clean the dashboard and upholstery.

Don’t use such cleaners on leather upholstery. With leather, there are no shortcuts. Anyway, dip the cloth into some clean water and wipe off the dash and car interior.

You can repeat this procedure to ensure the interior is super clean. And then when you get the time, visit your nearest auto shop and buy an upholstery cleaner or order one from your favorite e-store.

Should I Be Worried If I Have Been Using Pledge in My Car Interior?

No, you shouldn’t. As you can see from what we have discussed earlier, Pledge doesn’t have many negative effects on car interiors. The most damage it can do is on leather. However, on vinyl, plastic, and fabric surfaces, it is harmless.

Our only concern is that the Pledge wasn’t formulated for car interiors. As a result, this cleaner lacks essential features that help with cleaning and preserving the look of your interior.

Pledge is a popular cleaner that receives minimal complaints. It is powerful and can be used on various surfaces. It however wasn’t formulated to be used in car interiors.

If you have, don’t beat yourself up. Switch to an upholstery cleaner specially formulated for car interiors.