The Best Way to Clean Car Cupholders
Cleaning cupholders in car is often missed in car cleaning process but the mess of dirty cupholders make your car look dirty. Here's some easy ways to clean the dirty cupholders in your car!
Written by:
Parham Koukia,
February 20, 2025
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A clean car interior speaks a lot about its owner, and while most people focus on vacuuming the seats and wiping down the dashboard, cup holders quietly accumulate dust, crumbs, and sticky residue. The small compartments of cup holders collect dust and crumbs without even being noticed, and this quickly turns into a mess that’s hard to ignore.
Whether it’s dried coffee, melted candy, or an unnoticed spill that has settled in, there’s a simple solution for every type of mess. And are some quick and easy tips to clean cup holders in the car without much effort:
Cleaning Car Cup Holders
1. The Sock and Cup Method: Quick Way for Light Dirt in Cup Holder
The sock and cup method is one of the easiest methods to clean the light dirt accumulated in the cupholders.
Place a soft microfiber sock over the base of a cup, spray it with an interior cleaner, and twist it inside the holder. The fibers grab onto dirt and residues efficiently. If the cup holder has deep-set grime, a pre-treatment with a mild all-purpose cleaner loosens the debris before scrubbing.
A thorough cleaning becomes even more effortless for cup holders with removable rubber inserts. Run them through a dishwasher or soak them in warm, soapy water helps to dissolve stubborn residues.
2. Removing Stubborn Sticky Residue
Some spills, especially sugary drinks, are baked onto the surfaces of the cup holders when exposed to heat, making them hard to remove. In such cases, a multipurpose interior cleaner paired with a soft detailing brush reaches tight corners without damaging the plastic.
Allow the cleaner to dwell for a few minutes to break down stubborn stains.
Alternatively, for those who prefer natural solutions, a diluted vinegar and dish soap mixture effectively removes grime while neutralizing odors.
Discussions in automotive and cleaning communities of Reddit and Quora share some effective methods to clean dirty cupholders in cars. Some suggest using baby wipes for quick cleanups, while others recommend soaking a cloth in warm, soapy water and pressing it into the holder to loosen hardened residues.
How to Keep Car Cup Holders Clean
To keep your car cupholders clean for a long time, consider using silicone liners that catch spills and crumbs. This makes the cleanups quicker as well as easier.
You can also opt for a spill-resistant travel mug with secure lids to minimize liquid messes in the car.
Pro Tip: Always store cleaning wipes in the glove compartment for quick touch-ups after a spill.
How Can Professional Detailers Help?
While professional detailers won’t service just a single cup holder cleanup, a full interior detailing service by an expert detailer ensures every corner of your car, including the cupholders gets cleaned. Car detailing professionals use products designed especially for car interiors to avoid surface damage.
Some of the recommended cleaning products to lift stubborn stains, remove sticky residues, and leave the interior surface spotless are Turtle Wax Dash & Glass and Chemical Guys Interior Cleaner.
Need help with deep cleaning the car interior? Panda Pros from Panda Hub are ready to serve you with the best car detailing service you will ever see!
Parham Koukia
Lead Car Detailer / Operations Manager
With nearly 15 years of hands-on detailing experience, Parham has become a trusted authority in the auto care world. His work is regularly spotlighted in leading outlets like CNN, GoBankingRates, and Family Handyman. Parham likes to share his knowledge to offer in-depth tips on equipment selections, seasonal car care, and some secret car cleaning tips used by detailers in the real world!
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