Tried-and-true methods to remove droppings without damaging your car’s paint job

Sometimes it seems like birds think our vehicles are custom-built toilets. One unfortunate parking job is all it takes to replace that off-the-lot sparkle with a new, bird poop-colored paint job. It’s unsightly and a little gross, but thankfully it’s not a super tough problem to fix. All it takes is some elbow grease and 1 or 2 off-the shelf or even at-home remedies to get your wheels shiny again. We’ll give you 11 ways to clean bird poop off your car so those fowl droppings don’t drive you mad.

Things You Should Know

  • Soak the bird poop in either water, WD-40, or a baking soda-and-water mixture, then wipe the bird poop away with a rag.
  • Wipe your car down with car wipes or detailer spray for a specialized, paint-safe wash.
  • Scrub your windshield and other windows with glass cleaner to swipe the poop away.
  • Scrub your upholstery with mild laundry detergent, and use a stiff-bristled brush on the floor mats to clean off bird poop on the interior.
1

Water

  1. Soak the stain in warm water for 10-15 minutes to let it break down. Typically, you don’t need to look any further than some warm water to lift bird poo. Use a spray bottle to soak the poop, or simply dump a cup of water onto it until it's completely saturated. Wait 10-15 minutes, then wipe it away with a rag or a microfiber cloth. Put some elbow grease into it, but not too much. Go gentle on the paint job. Keep soaking and wiping as needed.[1]
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2

Seltzer Water

  1. Soak the poop in club soda for 10-15 minutes before wiping it away. Pour a small amount of seltzer water or club soda on the spot, until it’s saturated. Then dampen an old rag with the club soda, and place or hold it over the stain for 10-15 minutes to let it work its way into the mess. Then, gently but firmly wipe the poop away with the rag, and rinse the spot clean with a splash of water.[2]
5

Car Wipes

  1. Wipe away bird poop with a specialized product. Yes, they exist, and yes, they work. There’s not much to it: simply take a car wipe and attack those bird droppings with a good but gentle amount of pressure. The chemicals in the wipe are specifically formulated to loosen and break up bird poop without damaging the paint on your car.[5]
    • Afterward, wipe down the area with a bit of water or car shampoo and rinse it with warm water to wash away any residue.
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6

Detailer Spray

  1. Scrub the spot with a rag soaked in detailer spray for a speedy shine. Detailer spray is what they use at car dealerships to give the floor models a quick shine. It’s also handy for small trouble spots like bird poop. Give a microfiber towel a few spritzes of spray, then gently wipe the rag back and forth across the bird poop until it comes away.[6]
7

Glass Cleaner (for Windows)

  1. Spray glass cleaner directly onto any poop on your windows. While glass cleaner is a bit too harsh for painted areas, it’s a no-brainer for your windshield or other windows. Give the bird poop 3-4 sprays, then firmly wipe it away with a microfiber towel until that glass is spick and span. The vinegar in the spray will break down and lift the droppings with ease.[7]
    • If the poop is stubborn, saturate it with more cleaner and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then come back and give it another go when the poop is a bit more broken up.
    • Don’t use glass cleaner on any painted areas, since the chemicals in the cleaner may damage the paint.
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8

Laundry Detergent (for Upholstery)

  1. Let the bird poop dry before scrubbing it with a dab of detergent. Look, we won’t ask how you got bird guano inside your car, but we don’t envy you. To clean your car seats, wait for the poop to dry, then scrape the dried poop off the upholstery with a paper towel or a blunt knife. Then, dampen a rag with warm water and a dab of detergent, and scrub away the residue.[8]
    • Use a hand vacuum to suction up any poo dust after you scrape the bulk away.
9

Stiff-Bristled Brush (for Floor Mats)

  1. Remove and clean your floor mats with a stiff brush. Beat loose dust and grime off of your car mats and then place them on the ground outside. Then, take a stiff-bristled brush to the mats to brush away the bird poop, plus any other crusty bits while you’re at it. Finally, rinse the mat down with a hose and let it dry for an hour or 2 before placing it back in your car.[9]
    • Place a dime-sized drop of dish soap on any trouble spots to lift tougher stains as you scrub.
    • Also use the brush to clean off your tires with tire cleaner.
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10

Commercial Car Wash

  1. Take a spin through a nearby automatic car wash. It’s quick, it’s easy, and all those spinning scrubbers put on a show while they wipe your car clean of bird poop. What’s more, commercial car washes recycle dirty water and properly dispose of it, making this an eco-friendly and hands-off solution.[10]

About This Article

Luke Smith, MFA
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Luke Smith, MFA. Luke Smith is a wikiHow Staff Writer. He's worked for literary agents, publishing houses, and with many authors, and his writing has been featured in a number of literary magazines. Now, Luke writes for the content team at wikiHow and hopes to help readers expand both their skillsets and the bounds of their curiosity. Luke earned his MFA from the University of Montana.
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Co-authors: 3
Updated: March 20, 2023
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Categories: Cleaning Cars
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