How To Remove Sunscreen From Car Interior

Sunscreen is essential when heading out into the sun, even if you’re using a low SPF to build a tan.

The problem with sunscreen is that it tends to get everywhere, no matter how careful you are, once it has been applied.

You might not mind if the sunscreen gets onto your towel or your swimsuit, but if it gets onto your car interior, it could stain.

We’ve covered all you need to know about how best to remove sunscreen from your car interior, so keep reading!

Can Sunscreen Stain Car Interiors

It is worth removing any residual sunscreen from your car interior, as it is a substance that can stain. The reason sunscreen stains car interiors is because it’s an oily substance, and oil can be difficult to remove from various materials.

Most sunscreens also contain an ingredient called avobenzone, which absorbs ultraviolet light to help protect the skin from damage. Still, this chemical is known to react with iron found in water, and if this happens, a rust-colored stain can be left behind.

When removing sunscreen from a car interior, use a product that breaks down and absorbs the oil to prevent any stains from being left behind. Some sunscreens are also waterproof, so you will need something a little more substantial to break them down!

Methods To Remove Sunscreen From Car Interiors

Below are the best methods to remove sunscreen from car interiors, and some advice on which method to use for the different areas of your car interior:

White Vinegar

White vinegar is an effective cleaning product in many situations, and when it comes to sunscreen, it can break up the oil found in sunscreen and remove it from your car’s interior. White vinegar is readily available and affordable, and it won’t leave behind an odor in your vehicle.

Here is how to remove sunscreen using white vinegar:

1. Spray or apply some white vinegar onto the sunscreen stain in the car interior. Spray enough to wet the area and cover the stain, but do not soak it too much.
2. If the interior is leather, wipe it immediately with a microfiber towel. If the interior is non-leather, leave the vinegar to soak for a few minutes.
3. If not made of leather, use a non-abrasive brush to scrub the vinegar and oil away gently, and then wipe it clean with a fresh towel.

Best used for: Vinegar is best used for cleaning sunscreen off your car seats. Just keep in mind that you should not leave the vinegar to sit for too long on leather seats, as it could damage the protective layer. Avoid scrubbing at leather seats, as this can cause further damage.

You can use vinegar to remove sunscreen from car carpets, as well as from any fabric or leather areas of your steering wheel.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is another common pantry item that can be used for so many cleaning purposes.

You can use baking soda to soak up the sunscreen and oils in the interior of your car, to remove any stains. It is best used when the sunscreen has just come into contact with your vehicle, and not for an older stain.

Here is how to use baking soda to remove a stain from your car interior:

1. Use a paper towel or a microfiber towel to blot as much of the sunscreen as possible, gently. Ensure the towel is clean to prevent adding more dirt to the stain.
2. Once you have blotted as much of the sunscreen as possible, pour a generous amount of baking soda directly onto the stain, covering it completely.
3. Leave the baking soda to sit on the stain for up to 15 minutes. This allows it enough time to absorb the oils and other chemicals in the sunscreen.
4. After 15 minutes, use a handheld vacuum to remove the baking soda from the surface. The stain should have disappeared. If not, repeat the above steps.

Baking soda can be used for older stains, but you will then have to make a paste using baking soda and white vinegar to help lift up the stain and remove it from the surface. This paste can be left to sit on the stain for 5 minutes before being removed.

Best used for: Baking soda is best used for non-leather fabrics and car carpets. It removes sunscreen that has freshly stained the interior. Avoid using baking soda on leather, as it can be pretty abrasive and damage the top surface of the leather.

Soapy Water

Soapy water is our go-to solution for stains and messes, but you need to be careful when using it to remove sunscreen stains.

You will first need to review the ingredient list of the sunscreen. If it contains avobenzone, then soapy water might not be a good idea, as this chemical reacts with iron in water and can cause a rust-colored stain.

Soapy water can be used safely on non-fabric surfaces, such as in crevices, on handles, and on dashboards.

Here is how to use soapy water to remove sunscreen:

1. Use a wet towel or tissue to remove any sunscreen residue from the surface, this helps make the soapy water more effective. Blot the sunscreen instead of wiping it, as this may spread the stain further.
2. Mix warm water with dish soap in a bowl, stirring until a foam forms.
3. Use a clean sponge or cloth to gently pick up some of the foam and soapy water, and then scrub it into the sunscreen stain. Apply gentle pressure to the stain, but not so much that it damages the surface.
4. Once the stain has started to lift, wipe the surface clean using a dry tissue or clean towel.
5. You may have to repeat this process for tougher stains.

Best used for: Soapy water is ideal for removing stains on hard surfaces in the car. If sunscreen gets onto the dashboard, steering wheel, or doors, soapy water will work fine. It is best to try the other methods for fabric seats.

Microfiber Towel

Microfiber towels can help remove sunscreen that has just been spilled on your car’s interior. If the sunscreen has not had time to set in and do much damage, then an absorbent microfiber towel (check out this pack on Amazon) can be just what you need to lift the product.

Here is the simple process of using a microfiber towel to remove a sunscreen stain:

1. If the stain has not yet penetrated the surface and is still fresh, gently dab the area with a clean microfiber cloth.
2. Be sure to dab at the surface, rather than rubbing the stain, as this could spread it and cause it to sink in further.
3. After blotting the sunscreen for some time, it should have lifted from the surface. Wetting the microfiber cloth slightly can help it lift more effectively.
4. If the sunscreen is not lifting, try using a mixture of white vinegar or baking soda to break up the oils before blotting it again.

Best used for: You can use a microfiber towel for any area of the car interior where the sunscreen has just appeared on the surface. It can work for leather and non-leather seats, plastic surfaces, crevices, and all other areas.

Final Thoughts

Above, you will find various methods to remove sunscreen from a car interior. But be sure to check that the process you choose is gentle for the material or fabric where the sunscreen stain is located.

Non-leather and leather car seats require different treatment to prevent damage to the fabric. So, removing sunscreen from hard surfaces in the car is less labor-intensive than removing it from cloth.

In the future, place a towel down on the seat when getting into your car with sunscreen on, to prevent any more stains from appearing!

If we didn’t answer all your questions here, take a look at this video tutorial from OCDetailing on YouTube.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few more questions that might pop into mind when removing sunscreen from a car interior:

How do you remove a sunscreen stain from clothes?

Sunscreen can cause oil stains on clothes. To remove it, use warm water and dish soap to gently blot away the stain, working from the outside of the stain inward. Once this is done, rinse the area with cold water.

After this, place the clothes in the washing machine and use a stain removal detergent, then wash as usual.

Why do sunscreen stains turn yellow?

Even transparent or white sunscreens can cause a yellow stain. This is because the avobenzone in sunscreen reacts with iron in water, causing a yellow or brown stain. Not all sunscreens contain this chemical, so check to see whether the one you use does.

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