If you’re the proud owner of a Jeep, one aspect of car care you might routinely struggle with is how to clean the soft top. Over time, the sun’s harmful UV rays, road grime, and dirt can wreak havoc on the soft top, causing significant damage, cracking, and discoloration.
Even when you clean the soft top, you notice that it doesn’t maintain its luster.
The problem may lie in what cleaner you’re using. But with a bit of due diligence and some research of the top products on the market, you can keep your Jeep soft top looking just as sharp as the rest of the exterior.
Comparison of the Best Cleaners for Jeep Soft Top
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What to Look For in a Jeep Soft Top Cleaner
Although Jeep soft top cleaners come in numerous prices and are made with different ingredients, not every product you buy will provide the sheen and protection you desire. Therefore, you should consider the following options when you’re shopping for a new Jeep soft top cleaning product.
Ingredients to Avoid
Before you dive into what to look for in a Jeep soft top cleaner, knowing what to avoid is perhaps the more direct approach. In general, avoid any household cleaners or dishwashing detergent, as these can severely damage your soft top. Moreover, steer clear of any cleaners that contain ammonia, vinegar, alcohol, bleach, or any other harsh chemical.
Protectant Qualities
A quality soft top cleaner won’t just clean the soft top; it will protect it as well. Therefore, you should always purchase a product that says protectant somewhere on the bottle. In addition to the cleaning power of these products, a protectant helps repel grime, dirt, and the sun’s UV rays.
The Right Cleaner for Your Fabric
Jeep soft tops can come in a variety of fabrics, especially if you added an aftermarket top to your vehicle. While vinyl is the most popular, denim, sailcloth, and twill are also highly touted for their improved aesthetic and durability.
When you clean the soft top, find a Jeep soft top cleaner that’s specific to your fabric. These products are specially formulated to remove grime from each of these specific surfaces while also protecting them more effectively. Plus, you may damage a soft top by using a protectant meant for a different type of fabric.
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Review of the Best Cleaners for Jeep Soft Top
Now that you have a basic idea of what to look for and what to avoid in a Jeep soft top, the next step is to select one of the best cleaners for a Jeep soft top. Here are some of the options that provide stellar reviews with great cleaning power that will leave your soft top looking brand spanking new.
Best Overall
Raggtopp 1164 Vinyl Cleaner
Specifications
Bottle Size: 16 ounces (475 mL)
Non-toxic: Yes
Spray Top Included: Yes
Harms Paint: No
Includes Protectant: Yes
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Review
Founded in 1998, Raggtopp is the number one selling brand of soft top and convertible top cleaners in the United States, and with good reason. The Raggtopp 1164 Vinyl Cleaner is specially formulated to clean both vinyl and fabric without damaging the top.
Furthermore, its no bleach, low pH, environmentally friendly formula provides a thorough cleaning with only a microfiber rag or light brushing. And with a silicone-free mixture, it won’t harm rubber, vinyl, glass, or even your paint.
Bottom Line
If you want a product that’s guaranteed to get the job done quickly and efficiently, Raggtopp 1164 Vinyl Cleaner is perhaps the best option on the market. Unlike other cleaners, you don’t have to use painter’s tape to cordon off the body or windows of your vehicle. Just spray it per the directions, scrub, and rinse away in about 20 to 30 minutes.
Pros
Safe for fabric or vinyl
Washes away with no residue
Good for three to five applications
Biodegradable and environmentally friendly
No silicone formula, won’t harm paint, chrome, plastic, rubber, or wood finishes
Cons
Some buyers report that it’s not effective at cleaning deep stains
Many buyers state that the protectant is top-notch, but the cleaner lacks power
Runner-up
Bestop 1121100 Vinyl Fabric Cleaner
Specifications
Bottle Size: 16 ounces (475 mL)
Non-toxic: Yes
Spray Top Included: No
Harms Paint: No, when used as directed
Includes Protectant: No, sold separately
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Review
As the official supplier of Jeep soft tops, Bestop knows a bit about how to clean a soft top. Bestop Vinyl Fabric Cleaner works just as advertised, providing a deep clean to even some of the toughest stains and grime.
A pH-balanced, no bleach formula also ensures that the vinyl top gets cleaned without any discoloration. Plus, the company offers a number of other products for Jeep tops, including a protectant, zipper cleaner, and a cleaner specifically formulated for twill soft tops.
Bottom Line
Although budget-conscious buyers may balk at the price of this product, those with the extra capital should definitely invest in one of the best and consistently top-rated Jeep soft top cleaners on the market.
Pros
Biodegradable formula
Restores luster to discolored soft tops
Formulated specifically for Jeep soft tops
Won’t harm paint when used as directed
Cleans exterior vinyl and fabric and interior vinyl
Cons
More expensive than other available options
No spray top makes application more difficult
Requires you to tape off paint, rubber, plastic, and other areas of the Jeep
Best for the Money
303 Products 30571 Top Cleaner
Specifications
Bottle Size: 16 ounces (475 mL)
Non-toxic: Yes
Spray Top Included: Yes
Harms Paint: Yes
Protectant Included: No, sold separately
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Review
303 Products is a highly reputable brand in the car care industry. Started in 1980, the company developed the world’s first UV-protecting cleaner for soft and convertible tops — a tradition that continues to this day.
Although some users state that you must apply liberally to get the desired effect, usage of 303 Products Top Cleaner will remove even the toughest, most caked-on stains thrown in its path. And with the ability to use on both vinyl and fabric, it provides a one-two punch that will bring out the shine of your Jeep soft top.
Bottom Line
Safe on both hardtops and soft tops, 303 Products Top Cleaner provides the best of both worlds, whether you have two Jeeps or you change the top of your Jeep seasonally. And with the bonus of UV protection, you can enjoy your summer road trip without having to worry about any damage to your Jeep.
Pros
UV-protectant formula
Non-toxic, non-bleach formula
Works on hardtops, as well as soft tops
Cleans and brightens both vinyl and fabric
Removes debris, solids, and even stains if you let it set for 20 minutes
Cons
Not biodegradable
Can damage paint
Strong chemical odor
Some buyers report that a single bottle is required for one cleaning
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Editor’s Pick
RaggTopp RT-KIT1 Top Cleaner/Protectant Kit
Specifications
Bottle Size: (1) 16 ounce (475 mL) cleaner; (1) 14 ounce (414 mL) protectant
Non-toxic: Yes
Spray Top Included: Yes (1 spray top, 1 aerosol)
Harms Pain: No
Protectant Included: Yes
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Review
For an all-in-one cleaning solution that’s among the top-rated products in the industry, the Raggtopp RT-Kit1 Top Cleaner and Protectant Kit is a top choice. With the included microfiber towels, horsehair brush, cleaner, and protectant, you have everything you need to get the job done without making separate purchases.
Bottom Line
Thanks to all of the included materials, the Raggtopp RT-Kit1 Top Cleaner and Protectant Kit is ideal for new Jeep owners or those who just realized the importance of cleaning their soft top. Though this product may seem a bit more expensive than buying separate items, the convenience is well worth the purchase price.
Pros
Silicone-free formula won’t harm paint, plastic, or other surfaces
Full cleaning kit includes a horsehair brush and two microfiber towels
Includes a spray-on cleaner and aerosol protectant for easy application
Aerosol is free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that pollute the ozone
Protectant provides a water-resistant barrier that causes water to bead on the surface
Cons
Included brush is flimsy
Some buyers say it’s inefficient at cleaning deep stains
Separate protectants for both vinyl and fabric can be confusing
Honorable Mention
Chemical Guys HOL_996-2PK
Specifications
Bottle Size: 16 ounces (475 mL)
Non-toxic: Yes
Spray Top Included: Yes
Harms Paint: Yes
Protectant Included: Yes
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Review
Containing both a soft top cleaner and protectant for your Jeep, the Chemical Guys HOL Kit has everything you need to make your soft top shining like new. What separates it from the other products on the market is its all-purpose formula, working on vinyl, fabric, textile, and other synthetic tops (not twill).
It also leaves no residue, unlike other products, meaning you won’t have a sticky mess on your soft top that gets on your hands when you want to remove it. Plus, it has no odor, allowing you to use it in your garage with minimal ventilation required.
Bottom Line
If you want a protectant and cleaner in one package, the Chemical Guys HOL Kit is the product you need to put in your garage. Although it may not work on deep stains, it’s a superb choice for covered and garaged vehicles, leaving your Jeep soft top looking like new every time you clean it.
Pros
No odor
2-in-1 kit provides both cleaner and protectant
Effective at restoring all different types of colored tops
Works on vinyl, fabric, canvas, and other synthetic tops
Protectant micro-binds to soft top to provide the utmost protection against rain
Cons
More expensive than some other options
Water repellent isn’t as effective as some buyers would like
May not work on deep stains, such as tree sap or bird droppings
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Bring Out the Luster of Your Soft Top and Turn Heads in Your Jeep With a Quality Cleaner
You’ve put time, money, and love into your Jeep. So why stop at the soft top? With the perfect cleaner for your Jeep soft top, you can restore the original luster to your soft top and become the envy of all the other Jeep owners you wave at as you cruise down the street.
Recap – Best Cleaners For Jeep Soft Top
Before you head out, here’s a quick wrap-up of the best cleaners for Jeep soft top:
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People Also Ask
Selecting a Jeep soft top cleaner is a relatively straightforward process, although it may require trial and error on a few products. However, you may come across a few situations that leave you scratching your head, but you aren’t alone. Here are some of the more common questions people also ask about cleaners for Jeep soft tops and other general questions.
A cardinal rule of owning a soft top Jeep is that you should never run it through an automatic car wash. Automatic car washes often use abrasive brushes that can damage the fabric of your soft top. Not only do you run the risk of damage from the brushes, but these same brushes are seldom cleaned, making your soft top even dirtier in the process. The harsh chemicals used in these car washes can also damage your soft top, as well as vinyl and plastic windows.
If you’re short on time, resist the urge to go through an automatic car wash. Instead, head to a touchless car wash or wash your Jeep at home. Otherwise, you might be buying a brand new soft top.
Consistently rated as one of the best soft top and convertible top cleaners, Raggtopp is widely available at online and brick-and-mortar retail stores such as Amazon, Walmart, AutoZone, and Advanced Auto Parts. You can also purchase Raggtopp directly from Wolfstein’s — the parent company of the Raggtopp name brand.
Who Worked on This?
Brian
Editor
A master of organization, Brian helps keep everything running smoothly for Your Jeep Guide.
No Jeep yet but we’re working on that!
Cory
Writer
Cory loves his XJ and frequently thrashes it through the hills. He’s constantly fixing something.
“What fenders?”
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