How To Remove Dead Bugs, Sap & Tar From Your Car

Dead bug stains aren’t just gross – they leave behind acidic fluids that calcify and can damage your car’s paint job. Removing dried-on bug splats without a proper cleaning solution often results in paint scratching. Yikes.

Luckily, you can make your own DIY bug remover to clean dead bugs from your car without damaging the paint.

Use a Bug Sponge

Removing bug stains from your car requires extra scrubbing power that a handy bug sponge can provide. It’s super thick and dense, so it can hold a lot more water and cleaning solution than a regular sponge. It’s also made with microfiber and mesh, so it’s abrasive enough to get the bugs off of your car, but gentle enough to not cause any damage.

You can use a microfiber towel, soft cloth or old cotton t-shirt and some elbow grease to clean dead bugs off your car, too. Just avoid using terry cloth, which can be too abrasive and leaves behind lint.

What Not to Use to Clean Dead Bugs Off Your Car

Before we dive in, a word on what products you shouldn’t use to clean dead bugs, love bugs, sap, and tar off your car:

• Hand soap
• Dish soap/dishwashing detergent
• Glass cleaner (Note: Glass cleaner can damage car paint, but it’s safe to use on windows)

These household items could damage your car’s paint job by stripping off the protective wax and leaving a dull patch. While dull patches can be fixed with car wax, it’s important to know that these ingredients are abrasive and are not meant for use on car paint.

What to Use to Remove Dead Bugs and Bug Stains from Your Car

It’s pretty easy to make a DIY bug remover using supplies and ingredients you probably already have in your home. You can try any of the following solutions.

Baby Shampoo

Gentle on paint, but tough on gunk, baby shampoo mixed with vinegar is one of the best ways to clean dead bugs off of your car. If it leaves a dull patch, polish with car wax.

You’ll need:

• Bucket or spray bottle
• Baby shampoo
• Vinegar
• Warm water
• Microfiber cloth or cotton rag

Instructions:

• Mix baby shampoo with vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle or bucket. If using a spray bottle, shake well to combine. Spray on stains.
• Using light pressure, gently scrub at the bug residue with your rag or sponge. Wipe clean.

Dryer Sheets

The dryer sheets you use to do laundry are pretty effective at removing dead bug stains! They work really hard, but are super gentle.

You’ll need:

• Spray bottle
• Dryer sheets
• Warm water

Instructions:

• Put a dryer sheet inside a spray bottle and fill it with warm water. Let sit for 10 to 20 minutes.
• Spray the bug stains and let sit for a few minutes.
• Gently wipe off another dryer sheet.

Baby Oil:

Baby oil is very effective at breaking down the dead bug stains from your car. You can use other kinds of oil to remove dead bugs from your car too, like cooking oil or spray.

You’ll need:

• Baby oil
• Microfiber cloth or cotton rag

Instructions:

• Pour two tablespoons of baby oil onto a rag and wipe over the surface of the car. Let sit for a few minutes.
• Gently wipe clean with a rag.
• Clean away baby oil residue with water and baby shampoo.

WD-40

Did you know WD-40 can be used to clean dead bugs off your car? It won’t damage your car’s paint job, and you probably already have it on hand!

You’ll need:

• WD-40
• Microfiber cloth or cotton rag

Instructions:

• Spray WD-40 directly onto the bug stain.
• Wipe clean with rag.

Glass Cleaner

Glass cleaner may be too abrasive to use on car paint, but it’s great to remove gunk from windows. Mix it with a little baby shampoo and use it to remove dead bugs from your windshield.

You’ll need:

• Spray bottle
• Glass cleaner
• Baby shampoo or dish soap
• Microfiber cloth or cotton rag

Instructions:

• Mix glass cleaner with a little baby shampoo or dish soap. Shake well to combine. Spray on bug splats and let it sit for a few minutes.
• Gently wipe away with a rag.