The Best Ways to Clean Bird Poop Off Your Car

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

Co-authored by Tommy Goldberg and Luke Smith, MFA

Last Updated: October 28, 2024 Fact Checked

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

1

Water

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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

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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]
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3

Baking Soda

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Bird droppings are acidic, so baking soda, which is alkaline, makes the perfect, specialized cleaner. Fill a 32 fluid ounces (950 mL) spray bottle with warm water, then mix in about 4 tbsp (14 g) of baking soda. Saturate the poo with the baking soda spray, let it break down the poo for about 15 minutes, then wipe it away with a microfiber towel. ^{[3]
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4

WD-40

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Hit the stain with some WD-40 and wait 15-30 minutes. WD-40 is some sort of miracle substance, given just how many uses it has. Ridding your ride of bird poop is among them. Saturate the poop with WD-40, then give it 15-30 minutes to soak and start to break down. Then come back with a rag or microfiber towel and wipe those droppings away. ^{[4]
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- Repeat this process 2-3 times, as needed.

5

Car Wipes

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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]
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- Afterward, wipe down the area with a bit of water or car shampoo and rinse it with warm water to wash away any residue.

6

Detailer Spray

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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]
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- Don’t rub too hard, or the spray will streak across your paint job. Smooth, light, but firm strokes are key here.
- While you’re at it, consider washing the rest of your car with some car shampoo for an all-over shine.

7

Glass Cleaner (for Windows)

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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]
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- 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.

8

Laundry Detergent (for Upholstery)

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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]
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- Use a hand vacuum to suction up any poo dust after you scrape the bulk away.

9

Stiff-Bristled Brush (for Floor Mats)

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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]
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- 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.

10

Commercial Car Wash

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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]
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11

Professional Service

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When all else fails, take your ride into an auto body or detailing shop. The pros will give you a full wash and wax, and even fix any chipped paint while you’re there. Overkill for a bit of bird poop? Maybe, but your car was about due for some TLC anyway. ^{[11]
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Tips

Park your car under a shelter or in a garage, or invest in a car cover to avoid future bird poop mishaps.

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For best results on painted sections of your car, clean the bird poop off ASAP, before it begins to deteriorate the paint.

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After cleaning, wax your car to restore its shine and luster.

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The Best Ways to Clean Bird Poop Off Your Car

Things You Should Know

Steps

Water

Seltzer Water

Baking Soda

WD-40

Car Wipes

Detailer Spray

Glass Cleaner (for Windows)

Laundry Detergent (for Upholstery)

Stiff-Bristled Brush (for Floor Mats)

Commercial Car Wash

Professional Service

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

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Expert Interview

References

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