The steering wheel of a car is perhaps the most used part of the vehicle. With your hands constantly on it, you can expect wear and tear after a few months of usage.
And, honestly, when the color starts to fade, it looks pretty bad. The car starts to give off old vibes, which is something no one wants.
So, what can you do to prevent that?
The answer is a steering wheel cleaner. Today, in this article, I will be focusing on finding the best steering wheel cleaner for your vehicle.
So, without any further ado, let’s get straight into it!
Table of Contents
3 Top Rated Steering Wheel Cleaners Reviews
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | EDITOR'S RATING | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
TOP PICK  | 9.7 | CHECK ON AMAZON | |
 | 9.5 | CHECK ON AMAZON | |
BEST BUDGET  | 9.1 | CHECK ON AMAZON |
1. CarGuys All Purpose Super Cleaner
Now, I must clarify that I could not find products that were dedicated to cleaning steering wheels.
But what I could find were interior cleaning products which were also usable on most steering wheels.
This Super Cleaner by CarGuys takes the lead, with over 16000 happy buyers. The brand uses the latest and greatest nanotechnology, which helps lift away all sorts of dirt and residue.
It is designed to replace all other products, which are for specific purposes only. This one can do everything, from getting rid of tar to being a dashboard cleaner.
It is a true all-in-one product. The cleaner is also very easy to use. The formula of this product is already water-based, meaning it does not require rinsing.
You just have to spray and then wipe off with the included microfiber cloth.
It is as simple as that! Whether it is leather, carpet, or even finished wood, no cleaner can defeat this ultimate solution to all your cleaning problems.
I can guarantee that your vehicle’s interior, including the steering wheel, will look as good as new. If you are not happy with the product, the brand also offers a free refund.
So, the buy is truly risk-free.
- Designed for all interior purposes
- Water based formula
- Free refund if not satisfied
- Can be used on most surfaces
- None
You can go right ahead and buy this cleaner. There are no risks involved. The confidence of the brand is showed by the fact that it offers a refund.
2. Carfidant Ultimate Leather Cleaner
If you have a pure leather steering wheel, I have got just the product for you. Arriving in second place, with over 650 content buyers, is this Leather Cleaning Product by Carfidant.
Now, I know that the number of ratings on this product is incomparable compared to the first; it is still an excellent product.
There are many leather cleaning products on the market, which damage them even further when sprayed on the steering wheel.
The wear and tear intensify, including the grease and oil accumulation. The brand has stated that this cleaner will not cause any issues.
I have verified this claim by checking out product ratings, stating that it is perfect for steering wheel use.
The main issue with leather cleaning products is that they are not universal. They either work with synthetic leather or real ones.
Well, this Carfidant cleaner can work with any type of leather you can think of.
From real leather to vinyl, it will work just as effectively on all surfaces. The brand has used premium quality chemicals that are professional grade.
Moreover, there are no useless scents or colors, which may cause an adverse reaction with some surfaces.
Plus, the cleaner is made in the USA. You can be sure that the quality of the product will be outstanding.
- Premium quality chemicals
- Will not cause further damage
- Made in the USA
- No scents or colors
- May not be impressed with the performance
Although Carfidant has created a decent quality product, there are customers that were unhappy. The manufacturer should fix this issue so more customers don’t get disappointed.
3. Chemical Guys InnerClean Interior Quick Detailer
Finally, arriving in the third and final place is a Product by Chemical Guys, a company with many highly rated products on the online store.
But, out of them, this is the only one that was compatible with leather steering wheels.
So, let’s see just how good it is!
If you are looking for a cleaner that does not have a strong smell, well, this Chemical Guys cleaner will be perfect for you.
With just a gentle baby powder scent left after use, you won’t have any allergies act up.
It is safe to use glass, leather, vinyl, and even the LCD on navigation screens. So, you can rest assured that your steering wheel will be as shiny as when it was brand new.
Although it is perfect for use with steering wheels, the high-gloss detailing spray allows it to make your car’s paint look a lot shiny.
You can also use it for cleaning your wheels, headlights, and even the fancy textured plastic used by some car manufacturers.
The cleaner also blocks harmful UV rays, which damage the vehicle interior slowly. The company has made sure that you get as much peace of mind as possible.
- No strong scent
- Can be used on car paint
- Usable on all surfaces
- Units with low effectiveness
Chemical Guys must solve this issue as soon as possible. They must look into this matter and contain it.
How To Clean Your Steering Wheel: 6 Steps To Follow
Cleaning your steering wheel can seem like a daunting task at first.
Many people worry about worsening the condition of their steering wheels just because they don’t know how to perform the job.
Well, here at WVDOT Automotive, I aim to make your lives easier.
I will be listing the six steps that will guide you in a detailed manner on cleaning your steering wheel safely and efficiently.
I can guarantee that if you follow this guide to a T, you will end up with a shiny and good-looking steering wheel, which will be better than the previous one.
Things You’ll Need
You don’t need a lot of things when it comes to cleaning your vehicle’s interior.
The main things you need are a car cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Other than these two, you may also need a bucket of water for diluting the cleaner.
Although there are plenty of options available on the market, do you want to risk it with an unknown cleaner?
When I was researching for a decent cleaner for a steering wheel, some made some people’s steering wheel much worse.
So, I would suggest that you stick to a product from the above list.
Step 1: Microfiber Cloth With A Cleaner
The first step is simple. Take your cleaning spray and your microfiber cloth. Spray the microfiber cloth with the cleaner.
If the cleaner did not come in a spray bottle, I would advise you to take one and pour the whole bottle into it. It becomes much easier and convenient to use in a spray bottle.
Squirt the cleaner onto the cloth until it is damp to the touch. Do not spray too much cleaner that it starts dripping.
A small amount will be more than enough for one surface. You should also not spray directly onto the steering wheel.
The tiny droplets may get trapped in small openings. You don’t want that. If the bottle is on stream mode, change it to spray.
You need the whole cloth-covered, not a specific part. The importance of this will be explained in the next step.
Step 2: Towel And Steering Wheel
This is where the fun begins. Spread the towel on your hands, and wrap your hands around the steering wheel, just the way you hold it when your drive your car.
This ensures that you will get maximum coverage of the diameter of the steering wheel.
Now, you start from the top. Place your hand on the top and do a full circle. You can go clockwise or anticlockwise; it does not matter.
You should focus more on areas where there is more dirt build-up. You should do the whole process a couple of times to make sure you get all the dirt out.
The main trick is not to apply too much pressure on the steering wheel. There is a chance that the color may get lifted. And there is no coming back from that.
And don’t forget the center of the steering wheel as well. Just don’t apply pressure, and you will be good to go.
Step 3: Evaporation Solution
The cleaning solution does not evaporate quickly. It takes its due time. In order to speed up the process, get another cloth, and dampen it with water.
The dampness should be similar to the microfiber cloth you used before. If the cloth is too wet, then it will start dripping.
Use the same hand motion as before. Without applying too much pressure, clean the steering wheel thoroughly.
Spread the cloth on your hand, and then grab the steering wheel the same way you drive your car.
Repeat the process just like when you were using the cleaner. Paper towels can be used too if you don’t have more cleaning clothes.
It is not recommended to get in direct contact with the cleaner. The reason for that is you don’t know if the skin may be allergic to some of the chemicals.
If on the off chance, you make contact, then it is recommended to rinse thoroughly.
Step 4: Cleaning Off The Water Right Away
Now, this is the easiest part of all. Take a dry cloth. You should not use any random cloth. The best thing to use is a microfiber cloth.
The reason for that is that it absorbs liquids in a much quicker fashion, and even if used to put pressure, it will not erase the surface color.
Other clothes are rough to the touch. They are not recommended for any cleaning purposes unless you want to damage the surface of your steering wheel.
After cleaning off the water, the steering wheel will look brand new and shiny.
The process should be done immediately because the water will leave spots on the steering wheel if it dries up.
That will really not look good. And then, you will have to perform the whole process again.
The whole process will take you a mere 20 minutes. So, 20 minutes of your time will give you an almost new-looking steering wheel. I say that is a bargain.
Step 5: Use A Soft Interior Brush
Although the main process has been detailed, there are more ways to clean your steering wheel even further if the previous process did not yield the results you expected.
So, let’s see what else you can do!
Another thing that you can use is a soft interior brush. These brushes have soft bristles, so they will not leave marks or lines. There are guides that suggest using a toothbrush.
That should be done as a last option. A toothbrush should be used without applying any pressure. The bristles are quite hard, and they will surely damage the surface.
If you don’t have a brush, then you can use an interior scrub pad. You may be able to find one at your nearby hardware store.
Although these pads are not as effective as a brush, they are still more than good enough for the job. So, you have many options to further clean your steering wheel.
Step 6: Look For Disinfectants
Another thing that many people look for is disinfectants. There are machines designed for such tasks. The machine sprays the solution wherever you point.
They have basically motorized spray bottles. You can spray the whole steering wheel with the liquid. This will ensure that all bacteria and viruses will be wiped off.
Steam machines are common. You can buy one at a local hardware store. If you don’t want to spend so much, then using a good old-fashioned spray bottle will work as well.
The main advantage these machines have over a regular spray is the pressure. The pressure at which the liquid is squirted is great for eliminating all kinds of germs.
Afterward, you can just take a microfiber cloth and wipe it off like normal. You will be left with a clean and shiny steering wheel, which will look brand new.
Here’s a great video to watch:
Conclusion
So, there you have it, my take on the best steering wheel cleaner.
I carefully researched every single part of this article to ensure you are getting accurate information.
From product listings to the cleaning guide, I researched completely because damaged steering wheel leather does not look pretty.
Well, you won’t have to worry about that. Out of all the products, I would definitely pick the most rated one, the CarGuys Super Cleaner.
I hope that this article may have helped you in deciding if cleaning your steering wheel is worth it or not.
If it has, then you should follow the guide to make sure you get your steering wheel to top-notch condition.
I am Tahir Azam, and I have been writing amazing articles for TaxiHack for as long as I can remember. I know everything that is to know when it comes to automobiles and is always on top of industry news and developments. While I am not an expert by any means, I pride myself on knowing the ins and outs of many different problems and, of course, their solutions. The articles on our website are some of the best and well-researched content that you will find, and I spend countless hours making sure this remains to be true. This is why I ask you to take your time out and read some of my articles, especially if you find a topic that resonates with you or is something you are looking into. This way, you will find the perfect mix of information and tips on your desired topic. Learn more about Tahir.
