Priced as of May 21, 2026
4.5(414 ratings)Buy on AmazonSaved to your guest loadout. Sign up to also save to your Cabinet (consumables) or Kit (tools you own).
As an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner, CarCareTruth earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure
Prices may varySerious hazard — read before use
The manufacturer's Safety Data Sheet classifies this product with one or more GHS Category 1 health hazards — the most severe tier. The hazard statements in quotes below are the verbatim GHS language from the SDS, as required by OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard. The line under each statement translates the GHS classification into plain language.
- H318 “Causes serious eye damage.”
GHS Category 1 eye damage — classified as causing irreversible eye damage on contact.
If swallowed, inhaled, or splashed in eyes:
Call Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222 (US, 24/7, free) and have the product container with you. Poison Control's standing guidance is to not induce vomiting after chemical exposure; they will direct first-aid steps based on the specific product.
About this product's hazards. This product's Safety Data Sheet uses signal word danger. Read the manufacturer's SDS and follow all safety instructions before use. CarCareTruth ratings translate the manufacturer's safety sheet. They do not replace the SDS or substitute for a hazard assessment specific to your task.
Health score is for adult use as intended, per the manufacturer's SDS. It does not model child ingestion, accidental spill cleanup, or off-label use. See the safety panel below for full hazard classification, and /disclaimer for the full editorial scope.
From the Safety Data Sheet
Full SDS ↗ (rev. 2016-10-14)GHS hazard codes are quoted from the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet. PPE tiers below translate those codes and the listed ingredient chemistry; they are not CarCareTruth recommendations.
EyesRequiredMfr. SDS §8 · 29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1) · GHS H318SkinSituationalMfr. SDS §8 · 29 CFR 1910.138(a) · GHS H315Lungs—No PPE in published sourcesVentilation—No PPE in published sourcesShow details for all categories ▾Hide details ▴
From the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet, Section 8
“H318 (serious eye damage, irreversible) appears in SDS §2 mixture-level classification for the concentrate. GHS05 pictogram confirmed. At 1:15 working dilution the alkaline concentration is substantially reduced, but SDS §8 directs eye/face protection during handling. Eye protection is warranted for concentrate handling and spray application.”
— Mothers
U.S. regulatory standard
29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1); 1910.151(c)
“The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from… liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids…”
ANSI Z87.1 (chemical splash protection — incorporated via §1910.6)
OSHA standards apply to workplaces. Cited here as the U.S. reference threshold for the underlying hazard class.
CarCareTruth publishes the cited sources verbatim and does not advise what action a user should take. Consult the full SDS before use.
From the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet, Section 8
“H315 (skin irritation Cat 2) in SDS §2. At 1:15 working dilution, the potassium hydroxide concentration is below corrosion threshold and irritation risk is low for brief contact. SDS §8 recommends gloves for prolonged or repeated contact and for handling concentrate.”
— Mothers
U.S. regulatory standard
29 CFR 1910.138(a)
“appropriate hand protection when employees' hands are exposed to hazards such as those from… chemicals which produce an adverse effect on the skin or eyes…”
OSHA standards apply to workplaces. Cited here as the U.S. reference threshold for the underlying hazard class.
CarCareTruth publishes the cited sources verbatim and does not advise what action a user should take. Consult the full SDS before use.
No PPE specified in published sources for lungs. Absence does not imply “not needed” — consult the full Safety Data Sheet.
No PPE specified in published sources for ventilation. Absence does not imply “not needed” — consult the full Safety Data Sheet.
PPE tiers translate the manufacturer’s SDS and U.S. regulatory standards. Not professional safety advice. How we report safety.
The Podium · Top 3 in All-Purpose Cleaner (APC)
See the full ranking →This product ranks #8 of 11 in All-Purpose Cleaner (APC).Three above it ↓
CarCareTruth's Analysis
Last reviewed May 26, 2026
TL;DR Mothers Professional APC dilutes 1:15 for general cleaning down to 1:3 for engine bays and heavy grease. Mildly alkaline at working dilution, not corrosive. No Prop 65 warning. Eye protection is warranted (H318 at concentrate strength; H319 eye irritation persists at working dilution). Four confirmed dilution ratios earn the Recommended badge despite thin forum evidence beyond Amazon reviews.
What it is and how it performs
This potassium hydroxide-based concentrate covers the full automotive cleaning range: 1:15 for general exterior and interior surfaces, 1:10 for carpet and vinyl, 1:5 for heavy spot cleaning, and 1:3 for engines, tires, and greasy buildup. The alkaline builder is the primary cleaning mechanism; a small glycol-ether co-solvent at well under 1% in concentrate aids grease lifting. Community evidence is Amazon-primary: 4.5 stars across 414 verified-purchase reviews (74% five-star). No independent forum thread documentation was available at build time, which holds confidence at provisional.
Who should buy this — and who should skip it
Buy it if you need a single concentrate that spans interior panels through engine-bay degreasing. The gallon format delivers strong per-use economics. Skip it if you need a confirmed-biodegradable formula (the SDS §12 does not support that marketing claim) or a near-neutral pH product safe on wax and leather without careful dilution management.
Safety and environmental impact
SDS signal word is WARNING. The concentrate carries H318 (serious eye damage) and H319 (eye irritation) from the alkaline builder, plus H315 (skin irritation). At 1:15 working dilution the alkaline load drops substantially. Eye protection is warranted for both concentrate handling and working-solution spray use. No Prop 65 chemicals per SDS §15. At working dilution, VOC is under 1 g/L and no aquatic-toxicity codes appear in the SDS mixture classification.
Frequently asked questions
What dilution ratio should I use?▾
Mothers recommends four ratios depending on the task: 1:15 (water to product) for general purpose cleaning, 1:10 for carpet, vinyl, and upholstery, 1:5 for spot cleaning and heavy soiling, and 1:3 for engines, tires, and greasy buildup. The 1:15 dilution is the baseline for routine exterior and interior cleaning.
Is this product safe on painted surfaces?▾
At 1:15 general-purpose dilution, the pH is substantially reduced from the concentrate level. The KOH alkaline builder at concentrate strength is responsible for the H318 eye-damage classification — at working dilution the alkaline concentration drops significantly. The manufacturer markets the product as safe across a wide range of automotive surfaces at recommended dilutions; community review volume (414 ratings) does not show documented paint-damage reports. Avoid soaking waxed or sealant-treated surfaces for extended periods with any alkaline cleaner.
Does this product have a California Prop 65 warning?▾
No. SDS Section 15 explicitly states 'This product does not contain any Proposition 65 chemicals.' The Amazon listing for ASIN B00PZQI0Y2 is also free of a Prop 65 flag.
Is the product biodegradable?▾
The Amazon listing describes the product as biodegradable. SDS Section 12 states 'The environmental impact of this product has not been fully investigated' and provides no quantitative biodegradation data. No confirmed biodegradability credit is applied to the environment score — the marketing claim is unverified against a quantitative standard such as OECD 301B.
Why is the SDS from 2016? Is the formula current?▾
The SDS on file (document WPS-MPWC-1304, Revision 2) was issued 2016-10-14, approximately ten years before this review was written. Mothers may have reformulated since — particularly with respect to 2-butoxyethanol, which came under increased regulatory pressure in the 2020s. Scoring is based on the available SDS. If you are using this product professionally or frequently, confirm with Mothers whether a current SDS is available.
From the manufacturer
Marketing copy from Mothers, via Amazon. Not editorial.
- •Mothers All-Purpose Cleaner is a highly concentrated, biodegradable multi-purpose cleaning solution for a wide variety of surfaces
- •Combining highly effective cleaners with a combination of water miscible solvents and surfactants, this All-Purpose Cleaner breaks down dirt and grease with ease
- •Perfect for cleaning carpets, fabrics, vinyl upholstery, engine compartments, fender wells, door jambs and more
- •At higher concentrations, All-Purpose Cleaner is great for cleaning wheels, tires, whitewalls and pre-spotting carpets before shampooing
- •Recommended Dilutions: General Purpose - 1:15, Carpet, Vinyl & Upholstery - 1:10, Spot & Heavy Cleaning - 1:5, Engines, Tires, Grease - 1:3
Weekly pick
One product, one safety verdict, every week. No spam.
Manufacturer images
Manufacturer specifications
- Brand
- Mothers
- Item Form
- Liquid
- Specific Uses For Product
- Engine,Carpet,Door,Upholstery
- Material Feature
- Biodegradable
- Item Volume
- 1 Gallons
- Surface Recommendation
- Carpet,Upholstery,Vinyl
- Special Features
- Concentrated
- Contains Liquid Contents?
- Yes
- Material Features
- Biodegradable
- Unit Count
- 128.0 Fluid Ounces
- Item Weight
- 9 Pounds
- Size
- 1 Gallon
More from Mothers
More in All-Purpose Cleaner (APC)
Optimum
Power Clean
CCT 8.0 · RecommendedHealth 9.2
Simple Green
Industrial Cleaner & Degreaser
CCT 7.9 · RecommendedHealth 8.5
SONAX
MultiStar Universal Cleaner
CCT 7.7 · RecommendedHealth 9.5
Superclean
Super Clean Multi-Surface All Purpose Cleaner Degreaser
CCT 7.7 · RecommendedHealth 8.7
As an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner, CarCareTruth earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure
Community
0 postsShare how you use this product
Drop a quick comment or post a full review with photos and a star rating.
Sign in to postNew here? Create a free account.
Top Amazon review
↗External — Amazon's most-helpful review for context.