Driving your car around means your car bumper might meet unexpected visitors – bugs. And bugs can leave behind pesky stains. Fortunately, you can eliminate these bug stains by using warm water mixed with dish soap, baking soda, dryer sheets, or different types of oil.
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A dish soap and hot water solution
You can use dish soap to remove bug stains from your car bumper as its formula can penetrate through grease and dirt easily, helping you remove the stain faster.
The materials you’ll need for this method are dish soap (or baby shampoo), which will act as a degreaser and the main cleaning agent, and hot water, which increases reaction rates and speeds up the stain’s breakdown process. You’ll also need a bucket and a sponge. You can use any non-abrasive cloth if you don’t have sponge.
Follow these steps to get rid of bug stains:
- Prepare a mixture of 1 liter of hot water and 1/2 cup of dish soap in a bucket.
- Soak your sponge in the soapy mixture and start scrubbing the stained area on your car bumper in a circular motion. Continue until there’s no visible stain left.
- When there’s no stain left, rinse the bumper with clean water.
- Let it air dry.
Baking soda is always effective on stains
Baking soda is an excellent natural remedy to get rid of bug stains. It has alkaline properties and is a mild cleaner that can dislodge the stain, helping you eliminate them faster.
For this process, you’ll need:
- Baking soda, which will act as the cleaning agent
- A microfiber cloth, one of the most effective cleaning materials because it pulls out dirt and dust into its fibers and holds onto them
- Warm water
- A bucket
Before we proceed, just a friendly reminder to wear protective gloves and safety glasses when handling baking soda to avoid minor skin or eye irritation.
Follow these steps to get rid of bug stains with baking soda:
- Mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 liter of warm water in a bucket.
- Soak your microfiber cloth in the mixture and start scrubbing the car bumper in a circular motion, until the stain diminishes completely.
- When the stain is gone, rinse your car with clean water.
- Dry the bumper using a dry microfiber towel or a clean cloth.
A surprising remedy: dryer sheets
Maybe you’re wondering how this works on cars because you usually use it in the dryer with your clothes, but believe it or not, this miracle sheet is very efficient in wiping away stains caused by splattered bugs on your bumper.
Not only are dryer sheets effective for cleaning, but they’re also safe for your car, and it will save you time and hard work. For this method, you’ll need:
- Dryer sheets
- A spray bottle
- Warm water
Just read and follow these simple steps for the best results:
- Fill your spray bottle with warm water.
- Roll a dryer sheet and put it inside the spray bottle. Start shaking the bottle to disperse the cleaning properties of the sheet into the water.
- Spray the bumper’s stained area and let the solution settle on it for 3 to 5 minutes.
- After the allotted time, grab another dryer sheet and rub the stain off your car bumper. If the stain is still noticeable, repeat the process.
- When there’s no stain left, rinse the bumper with clean water.
- Let it air dry.
Removing bugs with oil
Oil bug removers can be cooking sprays, lamp oil, baby oil, or WD-40, which most car owners have on-hand. These oil-based lubricants are perfect for removing bug stains on your car bumper as they can break up the sticky stain for easier cleaning.
You’ll need a microfiber cloth and any of these oil bug removers. Since this method can be very greasy, soap and water in a bucket are also a necessity.
Follow these steps to remove bug stains using oil.
- Apply or spray your oil bug remover on the affected areas of your car bumper.
- Let it sit and soak for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Wipe it with a microfiber or any non-abrasive cloth. Continue until there’s no stain left.
- When there’s no visible stain left, wash the oil residue with soap and water.
- Dry your car bumper using a clean, dry cloth.
Common questions about bug stains
How can bug stains damage your car bumper?
Bugs stains can cause unsightly discoloration on your paint job. They are not only splattered on your car bumper, but most of them contain acidic substances that can damage the clear coating which protects the paint on your car. That’s why you need to take action as soon as you notice bug stains.
What’s the best bug remover for cars?
The best way to get rid of the bug splats and stains is by using a commercial stain remover that is heavy-duty but paint friendly. It is also a wise choice to pick a multi-purpose bug stain remover so you can use it for other types of stain on any part of your car.
Some bug removers don’t even require any elbow grease. You just have to “spray and swipe.”
Will vinegar remove bug stains on your car?
A vinegar solution can remove bug stains on your car with its mildly acidic property that wipes off almost all kinds of dirt from your vehicle, whether they have bug guts or not. It works best on your car windows, windshield and even on cleaning your aluminum rims. This property of vinegar cleans your car without leaving any trace.
Make sure you use diluted white vinegar, as other types of vinegar or highly concentrated white vinegar can damage the paint on your car. You need to use a watered-down version and then rinse it off afterwards.
Final thoughts
Your car deserves to be well taken care of, and it takes us to our destinations whenever we travel, it gives us comfort and security. With these car paint-friendly methods and pointers we’ve mentioned, you can now confidently deal with stubborn bug stains without worrying about your car’s bumper getting damaged.
Keeping your vehicle clean and bug stain-free does not only make your vehicle look better, but it also helps to extend your car’s life, allowing you to drive with style for years to come.
To deal with other stains on your car’s exterior, check out this article about how to get rid off leaf stains from your car’s paint and this one about how to get rid off water stains from car windows and paint.
