If you’ve ever gone on a summer road trip, you know the struggle of trying to keep your car’s interior clean. One of the most common items that ends up staining seats and carpets is sunscreen. What’s worse is that many sunscreens are waterproof or water-resistant, so cleaning them off becomes next-to-impossible if you don’t know how to do it.
In this article, we will discuss several methods for removing sunscreen from car interiors, so you can keep your car looking clean all summer long.
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What Makes Sunscreen Stick to Your Car’s Interior
If you’ve ever tried to remove sunscreen from your car’s interior, you know just how stubborn it can be. Whether it’s from your skin or your child’s, sunscreen seems to have a way of ending up everywhere—including on the dashboard, steering wheel, and seats.
Sunscreen is often made from oils, which is why it’s so good at protecting your skin from the sun. However, those same oils are what make sunscreen so difficult to remove. When sunscreen comes into contact with surfaces like leather or fabric, the oils quickly adhere and can be challenging to remove without the right tools and techniques.
The good news is that there are a few tricks you can use to make cleanup a breeze. First, be sure to use a cleaner that’s specifically designed for car interiors. This will help to avoid damaging the materials.
Use a microfiber cloth instead of a paper towel—this will help to avoid scratching the surfaces. Finally, give the area a good once-over with a vacuum cleaner to remove any remaining traces of sunscreen. With these tips in mind, you can keep your car’s interior looking clean and sunburn-free all summer long.
Not All Sunscreens Cause Stains
If you’ve ever used sunscreen that left your car’s upholstery looking stained and discolored, you’re not alone. In fact, many commercially available sunscreens can cause stains on fabrics, particularly if they’re not applied properly.
The oils used to make the sunscreen are most often the culprit behind fabric stains, as well as the fat-soluble ingredient avobenzone, which absorbs a broad spectrum of harmful UV rays to protect your skin. However, when you combine this with various oils and spill it on your car’s interior, it can be very difficult to remove.
Spills aren’t always the cause of the stains, though—simply applying sunscreen immediately before getting into your car can cause the oils to rub off onto the fabric. And as you probably already know, oil sticks to fabric very well!
Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do to minimize the risk of staining. First, be sure to apply sunscreen evenly, using a small amount. Make sure that you allow enough time for your skin to absorb the sunscreen, and let the sunscreen dry completely before getting into your car.
Also, you can choose a sunscreen that isn’t made with avobenzone. Instead, look for a mineral-based sunscreen made with zinc oxide. These products are usually less oily and therefore much less likely to cause stains. By taking these precautions, you can help keep your car’s interior looking clean and crisp—all season long.
If your car’s interior already has stains from sunscreen, though, your hope is not completely lost.
How to Remove Sunscreen From Your Car’s Interior
There are a few different ways that you can remove sunscreen stains from your car’s interior, depending on the type of material and the extent to which the material is stained.
For fabrics and small or minor stains, you can try using soap or a mild laundry detergent and lukewarm water. First, blot the area with a clean cloth to remove as much of the sunscreen as possible. Then, mix together a small amount of soap or detergent with lukewarm water, and apply it to the stain using a clean cloth.
Gently rub the area in a circular motion until the stain begins to lift. Be sure not to scrub too hard, as this can damage the fabric. Once the stain is gone, rinse the area with clean water and allow it to air dry.
If this method doesn’t seem to work for you, you may need to use a stronger cleaning solution. Not all stains are the same, and it’s important to know what type of cleaning substance to use for which.
The Best Ways to Remove Sunscreen Stains
There are several different ways to remove sunscreen from your car’s interior, and the method for removing the stains generally remains the same: apply the cleaner to the stain (usually mixed with water), scrub the cleaner into the stain using a cloth or brush, wipe the stain away, and allow it to air dry.
So what substances can you use to remove sunscreen? As you probably guessed (and maybe already tried), soapy water is a great place to start. If that doesn’t work for you, you can also try using white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, degreaser, and baking soda.
White Vinegar
We’ve all been there—after a day of fun in the sun, we jump in the car only to find that our sunscreen has transferred onto the upholstery and dashboard. Not only is it unsightly, but it can also be tough to remove.
Fortunately, there is an easy and affordable way to get rid of sunscreen stains using white wine vinegar. White wine vinegar has been used as a cleaning agent for generations. It easily breaks down oils, which makes cleaning hard and soft surfaces (like those in your car’s interior) a breeze.
Simply mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and mist the affected areas. Let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe the area clean with a damp cloth. For tougher stains, you may need to scrub a bit with a soft brush or towel. And that’s it! Your car’s interior will be sunscreen-free in no time.
Rubbing Alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol, or rubbing alcohol, is another great option for removing sunscreen from your car’s interior. Rubbing alcohol evaporates quickly and leaves behind no residue, so it’s perfect for cleaning fabric and vinyl surfaces, but you should always avoid using it on leather, as it will cause the leather to dry and crack.
To use it, simply pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a clean cloth and rub it into the sunscreen stain. You may need to use a little elbow grease for tougher stains, but be careful not to scrub too hard as you could damage the material. Once the stain is gone, wipe the area with a damp cloth to remove any residue and allow it to air dry.
Degreaser
If you’ve tried the above methods and are still struggling to remove sunscreen stains from your car’s interior, you may need to use a degreaser. Degreasers are designed to break down and remove tough oils and residue, making them ideal for removing sunscreen stains.
There are many different degreasers out there, though. Some are formulated to be safe for use on fabrics, while others are tough enough to completely remove grease and grime from an automotive engine block. So make sure you know what you’re getting before you decide to use it on your car’s interior.
Simply mix the degreaser with water (or not) according to the manufacturer’s directions and apply it to the sunscreen stain. Scrub the area with a brush or cloth, and repeat this process until the stain is gone. Then rinse clean with water and allow it to air dry.
As you know, degreaser comes in varying levels of strength, so make sure you have the right one before applying it. However, if you only have access to a tough degreaser, you can always dilute it with water and apply it as we just discussed. On the other hand, there are countless degreasers on the market designed specifically for use in automobile interiors.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is another common household item that can be used to remove sunscreen stains from your car’s interior. Baking soda is a gentle abrasive, so it can be used on most surfaces without damaging them. It’s also great at absorbing oils and removing tough stains.
To use, simply mix baking soda with water to form a paste, then apply it to the sunscreen stain. Let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub the area with a brush or cloth. Rinse clean with water and allow it to air dry.
If you prefer not to use a degreaser or alcohol, you can optionally mix white wine vinegar and baking soda for a power-packed home cleaning solution.
Just mix your baking soda with vinegar to form a similar paste and apply it to the sunscreen stain. Use a soft-bristled brush or towel to agitate the stain by scrubbing it until you can’t see the stain anymore. Wipe away the cleaning solution and rinse with water, then allow the spot to air-dry, and you’re done!
Tips for Removing Sunscreen From a Leather Car Interior
If your vehicle’s interior is leather, there are some things you will need to be aware of. First, as we mentioned earlier, you should never use rubbing alcohol on leather as it will cause the leather to dry out and crack.
However, if rubbing alcohol is all you have access to, then it is okay to use as long as you don’t allow it to sit on the surface for too long. White wine vinegar is similar, as it will draw the natural oils from the leather, leaving behind a dried-out and cracked surface. Keep these things in mind and use them at your own risk.
The best way to remove sunscreen from a leather interior is to use a gentle soap and warm water. Simply mix the soap with warm water to form a sudsy solution, then apply it to the sunscreen stain.
Use a soft cloth or non-abrasive brush to scrub the area, being careful not to damage the leather. Then lightly rinse clean with water and wipe dry with a microfiber cloth. Avoid allowing it to air dry, as this is also bad for leather surfaces, potentially causing them to shrink and crack.
Another option is to use a moisturizing hand soap or even baby shampoo, as these are designed to be gentle on sensitive skin. Simply mix the soap with warm water and apply it to the sunscreen stain in the same way we just discussed. Scrub the area with a cloth and wipe clean afterward.
If you have any leather conditioner on hand, now would be a good time to use it. Simply apply the conditioner to the surface according to the manufacturer’s instructions and wipe away any excess. This will help to replenish the natural oils in the leather and prevent it from drying out.
Removing Sunscreen Stains from a Non-Leather Car Interior
If your car’s interior is made of materials other than leather, then you have a few more options available to you. As we mentioned earlier, one option is to use rubbing alcohol or white wine vinegar, but these should be used with caution as they can damage some surfaces.
Preventing Sunscreen Stains In The First Place
The best way to deal with sunscreen stains is to prevent them from happening in the first place. The easiest way to do this is to apply sunscreen after you reach your destination. This way, you can avoid contact with the interior altogether.
Another good tip is to use a beach towel or old t-shirt as a seat cover. This way, if any sunscreen does happen to get on the seats, it will be on the towel or shirt and not on the upholstery.
Of course, accidents happen, and sometimes sunscreen stains are inevitable. But by following these tips, you can minimize the chances of it happening and know how to deal with it if it does.
Conclusion
Sometimes it can be challenging to remove sunscreen stains from your car’s interior (and to prevent them from happening). But if you follow these tips—from using a power-packed home cleaning solution to investing in some leather conditioner—you’ll find that there are a number of ways to deal with sunscreen stains. Just remember to be cautious when using any harsh chemicals or cleaners, as they can potentially damage your car’s interior.