Scoring Guide — All-Purpose Cleaner

What this score means

An all-purpose cleaner score measures three things: how well it cleans (the main job), how safely it can be applied across automotive surfaces without damage, and how efficiently a concentrate formula stretches over multiple tasks. Health reflects what the chemistry means for the user at working concentration. Environment reflects where the product ends up — down the drain or in laundry runoff.

Quality score (60% of Stage 1)

Quality is driven by cleaning power (40%), surface safety (25%), and dilution versatility (20%), with formula transparency (10%) and scent/residue (5%) as secondary signals.

What a high quality score looks like: A product that removes heavy engine grease, brake dust, road film, and organic stains in 1–2 passes, is confirmed safe on paint, rubber, trim, glass, fabric, and leather, and offers 4+ dilution ratios from heavy-duty (4:1) to light interior (32:1+). Community evidence from r/AutoDetailing, Amazon verified-purchase reviews, and independent YouTube tests.

What brings quality down: Cleaning failures on typical use cases (greasy engine bay, stained upholstery), surface damage reports (rubber swelling, paint dulling, fabric bleaching), or only one dilution option with no concentrate economy.

Health score (25% of Stage 1)

Health reflects the hazard profile the buyer actually encounters — at working-solution concentration, not concentrate strength (where relevant). A product that is corrosive at full strength but safe at 10:1 dilution is scored at the diluted profile.

Typical range for this category: 3.0–9.5

• 5.0: No SDS available (health unknown)
• 4.0–6.5: Strong concentrate with H314 (corrosion), high Prop 65 deduction, or H318 — typical for industrial-grade APCs scored at working solution
• 7.0–8.5: Mild alkaline (WARNING, H315/H319) — most consumer-grade APCs
• 8.5–9.5: Near-neutral or gentle formula (null signal word, biodegradable surfactants, no H-codes)

Products sold as concentrates are always scored at the recommended working-solution dilution.

Environment score (15% of Stage 1)

APCs are drain-destined — they end up in stormwater or laundry runoff. The ×1.25 multiplier on pre-multiplier deductions amplifies environmental concerns.

Credits that move the score up: EPA Safer Choice certification (+1.0), confirmed biodegradable per SDS §12 (+1.0), CARB compliance (+0.5), clean formula bonus (+0.5 when no aquatic codes and VOC <50 g/L at working solution).

What brings environment down: VOC contribution at working solution (IPA, ethanol, glycol ethers), aquatic toxicity codes (H411, H412), and chlorinated solvents.

Simple Green note: Well-known for biodegradable marketing — confirm SDS §12 data quantitatively before awarding the +1.0 credit.

CCT Opinion (weight 0.25 in Stage 2)

The opinion score is a holistic brand-and-product credibility assessment. Factors: brand reputation in the detailing community, SDS transparency and currency, consistency of performance claims with community evidence, and whether the "all-purpose" label is backed by multi-surface community confirmation. A premium brand with strong community trust and a current, detailed SDS earns a high opinion score even if the product doesn't top every quality dimension.