Sun cream stains lift from car seats with a degreasing cleaner and gentle blotting, because sun cream is oil-based and plain water simply slides off it. These greasy marks are one of the most common summer problems we see, transferred from skin and hands onto seats, steering wheels and door cards. The key is to break down the oil rather than spreading it around.
Why sun cream is so hard to remove
Sun cream is designed to stay on skin in water and sweat, which is exactly why it clings to fabric and leather too. The oils and emulsifiers that make it water-resistant mean a damp cloth just moves the grease around. To shift it you need something that breaks down oil, used with a blotting rather than rubbing action.
Removing sun cream from fabric seats
Lift off any excess cream with a blunt edge or paper towel first, then treat the grease.
- Mix warm water with a degreasing washing-up liquid.
- Dab it onto the mark and let it sit for a minute to break the oil down.
- Blot with a clean cloth, working inwards, and repeat until the grease lifts.
- Rinse with a damp cloth and let the seat dry.
Removing sun cream from leather
On leather, wipe off the excess straight away and clean the area with a leather-safe cleaner, then condition it. Sun cream left on leather can cause discolouration and yellowing over time, particularly on pale seats, so the sooner you deal with it the better. Avoid strong degreasers and solvents on leather, as they remove the finish along with the cream.
Preventing sun cream marks
A little prevention saves a lot of cleaning in summer. Let sun cream soak into skin before getting in the car, keep wet wipes in the door pocket for hands, and wipe the steering wheel and gear lever down regularly. Seat covers are worth considering for beach and pool trips when everyone is freshly creamed up.
Summer-ready interiors
If your seats have built up a season of greasy marks, an interior valet will reset them. Our steam cleaning service cuts through sun cream and other summer grime across Nottingham, Derby and the East Midlands, coming to you at home or work. Get a quote before the summer holidays.
Summer grease on your seats?
EMobile Valeting brings professional, fully insured mobile valeting to your door across Derby, Nottingham and the East Midlands. No call-out fee.
See Steam Cleaning Get a Free Quote
