How to Remove Makeup and Other Stains from a Car’s Interior at the Car Wash

When your customers visit your full-service or self-service car wash to wash and detail their vehicles, you need to be prepared to address makeup stains, juice stains, ink stains, and other stains your customers may have inside their vehicles.

To ensure you can address a wide range of stains, you need to have the right commercial car wash supplies on hand. You also need to have the right car cleaning equipment available. To make sure you have the right supplies and equipment, let’s take a look at some of the more common stains found inside vehicles:

1. Makeup Stains

From eyeshadow and blushes to lipsticks and eyeliners, your customers can easily stain the interior of their vehicles. To remove makeup stains, you need to first know what type of makeup it is. For powders and non-oil-based makeups, using an Armor All Cleaning Sponge and blotting the area may be all that is required.
For lipstick and oil-based stains, start with a cleaning towel dipped in warm water and dab the stain. Next, dip the cleaning towel in car wash soap and blot the area. If the stain does not fully come out, you can spray the lipstick stain with glass cleaner and then blot to remove the stain.

2. Chewing Gum

Sticky chewing gum can ruin fabrics and carpeting. Getting the gum out does require a little work. You will need to put ice into a zip-lock bag and lay it directly on the gum for 10 to 15 minutes. Once the gum hardens, carefully use an Armor All Carpet and Upholstery wipe and pull the gum off the fabric or carpeting. If there is any gum that remains, repeat the process.

3. Cigarette Ashes

If you smoke in your vehicle, cigarette ash stains and cigarette smells can be an issue. To remove ash stains, spray Armor All Protectant Spray onto a cleaning rag or use a Protectant wipe. Blot the area until the stains are gone.

For cigarette smells, use a deodorizer spray and spray it directly onto the upholstery, carpeting, and ceiling liner. You can also use air fresheners to help in between interior car detailing.

4. Sticky Cola and Juice Stains

These sticky stains can be hard to remove if they are not treated right away. You want to make sure to always blot and dab up any excess liquid. Never scrub, as this just spreads the stickiness and creates a bigger stain. Once it is dry, you can use an upholstery spray or wipe to treat the area.

5. Coffee Stains

Just like cola and juice stains, you want to clean up spilled coffee as soon as possible. Blot the area until all excess moisture is removed. Take a cleaning rag and spray window cleaner onto it or use a window cleaner wipe and press it into the stain. Hold it there for a few minutes and then dab and blot the stain until it is gone.

6. Ketchup, Mustard, and Sauce Stains

If you like eating in the car, you could experience these types of stains from accidents. Use a cleaning wipe to blot the stain. If the sauce has hardened, you can pull off the top layer and then treat the area underneath. For difficult stains, use window cleaner or a window cleaner wipe, as for coffee stains.

To make sure your car wash and detailing employees or your self-serve car wash customers have access to the commercial car wash supplies and equipment needed to remove stains, remember to order your bulk car detailing supplies from Superior Car Wash Supply. Feel free to shop online now or call us at 800-554-9274!