Chemical Guys Nonsense Colorless & Odorless All Surface Cleaner
Priced as of May 6, 2026
4.7(16,760 ratings)Subscribe & Save: $8.99 (10% off)Buy on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner, CarCareTruth earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure
Prices may varyCarCareTruth's Analysis
Last reviewed 2026-05-07
TL;DR A safe, residue-free interior cleaner with 17,000+ reviews behind it and pH-neutral chemistry that won't strip coatings or haze tint. Not the strongest degreaser at RTU strength, but easy to live with on any surface. There's a California Prop 65 warning for trace contaminants — not the cleaning actives — that's worth understanding.
What it is and how it performs
Chemical Guys Nonsense is a pH-balanced (7.5) all-surface cleaner designed to leave nothing behind. The formula clears vinyl outgassing film, dust, and light interior soils in one pass — dashboards, door panels, steering wheels, fabric seats, plastic trim. At RTU strength it's not a degreaser; for heavy engine bay work or tire cleaning, dilute the 1-gallon concentrate at 4:1 to 8:1 instead. The standout feature is surface compatibility: the neutral pH means it won't strip wax, degrade ceramic coatings, or haze aftermarket tint film — surfaces where alkaline APCs create real risk. Community evidence from r/AutoDetailing and Autogeek consistently confirms this, making Nonsense the go-to recommendation when vehicle protection has to be preserved.
Who should buy this — and who should skip it
Buy it if you're doing regular interior maintenance and want a single-bottle solution that works on every surface without checking compatibility first. The 16 oz spray is ready to use out of the box; the 1-gallon concentrate is the better buy if you detail multiple cars. Skip it if heavy degreasing is the priority — a dedicated alkaline APC or engine degreaser will cut stubborn grease faster. Also skip it if you're avoiding products with California Prop 65 warnings, even for trace contaminants.
Safety and environmental impact
The SDS §2 classifies Nonsense as "Not classified" under GHS — no hazard codes, no signal word. The only formal safety flag is a California Proposition 65 warning for Myrcene and 1,4-Dioxane, both present as trace-level contaminants rather than intentional cleaning ingredients. Myrcene is a terpene listed for cancer and reproductive harm; 1,4-Dioxane is a processing byproduct from surfactant manufacturing, also listed for cancer. Neither triggers a GHS hazard category at the concentrations found in this formula. No PPE is required for normal interior detailing use at RTU strength; gloves are prudent if using the concentrate at full strength. The formula contains 2-butoxyethanol (butyl cellosolve), which is an aquatic toxicant — keep spent microfibers from going directly to storm drains, and rinse towels in a wastewater-connected sink.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chemical Guys Nonsense safe on ceramic coatings?▾
Community consensus on r/AutoDetailing confirms Nonsense is safe on ceramic coatings, PPF, and vinyl wrap at RTU strength. The pH-neutral formula (7.5) avoids the alkaline chemistry that can degrade hydrophobic coating layers. Multiple forum threads specifically recommend Nonsense for ceramic-coated vehicles as a maintenance interior cleaner.
What does the California Prop 65 warning on Nonsense mean?▾
The Prop 65 warning covers two trace-level substances: Myrcene (a terpene listed for cancer and reproductive harm) and 1,4-Dioxane (a process contaminant from surfactant manufacturing, listed for cancer). Neither is an intentional cleaning ingredient. The SDS §2 classifies the product as 'Not classified' under GHS — no formal hazard categories apply. The warning is required by California law whenever these substances are present above trace thresholds, regardless of actual exposure risk from normal use.
Can Nonsense be diluted for different jobs?▾
Yes. The 1-gallon SPI_993 concentrate dilutes 10:1 to 20:1 for general cleaning (stronger ratios for greasy surfaces or engine bay, higher dilution for delicate interior surfaces). The 16 oz spray SKU is sold ready-to-use. Detailing community threads on Autogeek and r/AutoDetailing recommend 10:1 dilution from concentrate for interior work, with the spray SKU used as-is for light maintenance cleaning.
Does Nonsense leave a residue or film on dashboards?▾
Community testing consistently confirms no residue or sheen at RTU strength on vinyl, plastic, and leather surfaces. The product name ('Nonsense — Invinsible Super Cleaner') directly references the no-residue claim. Amazon long-term reviews with 16,000+ ratings support this — residue complaints are rare and typically associated with using too much product in one application.
Is Nonsense strong enough to clean engine bays?▾
At RTU strength, Nonsense handles light engine bay film and dust effectively. For heavy grease or oil deposits, the 1-gallon concentrate diluted 4:1 to 8:1 is more appropriate — community threads on Autogeek and DetInfo confirm effective engine bay cleaning at stronger dilutions. RTU strength is optimized for interior surfaces, not heavy degreasing.
From the manufacturer
Marketing copy from Chemical Guys, via Amazon. Not editorial.
- •INVISIBLE ODORLESS CLEANING (SPI_993_16): Nonsense delivers powerful odorless cleaning for interior and exterior detailing; the invisible formula removes grime and residue from vinyl, rubber, plastic, carpet, upholstery, and engine bay areas with consistent results.
- •FOAMING DEEP ACTION: Rich foam enhances cleaning contact and lifts dirt from textured surfaces, cup holders, carpets, trim pieces, and high touch areas; ideal for interior detailing where thorough cleaning and residue free results are essential.
- •CAR INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR USE: Designed for dashboards, fabrics, rubber mats, plastic panels, and engine bay components; the balanced formula supports all purpose cleaning needs across cars, trucks, SUVs, and detailing environments without altering surface appearance.
- •MULTI MATERIAL SAFE: Safe for vinyl, rubber, plastic, carpet, and upholstery; the spray and wipe application makes it easy for daily drivers, family vehicles, work trucks, and enthusiasts to maintain clean interiors and refreshed surfaces with minimal effort.
- •CHEMICAL GUYS DETAILING ESSENTIAL: Nonsense reinforces the Chemical Guys approach to car detailing by delivering reliable, odorless cleaning for vinyl, rubber, plastic, carpet, and upholstery; perfect for maintaining interior surfaces with professional grade consistency.
- •PROFESSIONAL GRADE PERFORMANCE: Trusted by detailers for interior maintenance and deep cleaning sessions; Nonsense helps restore a clean finish on upholstery, plastics, and rubber surfaces while supporting routine maintenance and complete detailing workflows.
- •Colorless and odorless cleaner
- •Low foam for more effective cleaning power
- •Removes dirt, grime and stains
- •Transparent cleaning technology
- •Concentrated, so the product can be diluted according to your needs
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Manufacturer videos
Manufacturer images
Manufacturer specifications
- Brand
- Chemical Guys
- Item Form
- Liquid
- Scent
- Odorless
- Specific Uses For Product
- All-Purpose Cleaner
- Material Feature
- Concentrated
- Surface Recommendation
- Carpet, Plastic, Rubber, Fabric
- Special Features
- Car Interior and Exterior Cleaner, Foaming Deep Cleaning, Invisible Finish Formula, Vinyl Rubber Plastic Safe
- Contains Liquid Contents?
- Yes
- Cleaning Agent Formulation
- Hard Surface Cleaner
- Recommended Uses For Product
- Car detailing and Car Washing Kit
- Material Features
- Concentrated
- Material Type Free
- Odorless,Unscented
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