How to Remove Sunscreen from Your Dashboard (Without Damaging It)

Sunscreen smears on your dash? It’s one of the trickiest messes to clean—oily, sticky, and prone to streaking. But don’t worry—we’ve got the fix.

Here’s how to safely remove sunscreen from your dashboard using the right technique and interior-safe products—without making it worse.

Why Sunscreen Is So Hard to Remove

Sunscreen contains oils, silicones, and UV blockers that are designed to stick—and when they land on textured plastics or rubberized dashboards, they smear and resist typical cleaners.

Using the wrong cleaner can make it worse—spreading it around or leaving a permanent greasy film.

What You’ll Need

• Complete Cabin Cleaner – pH balanced, safe for dash materials
• Scrub Buddy Pad – for light texture-safe agitation
• Softer Than Soft Microfiber Towel – for final wipe-down

Step-by-Step: Removing Sunscreen from Dashboards

1. Spray Complete Cabin Cleaner onto your Scrub Buddy Pad or microfiber—not directly on the dash.
2. Lightly agitate the area in straight-line motions. Don’t scrub too aggressively—let the cleaner do the work.
3. Wipe with a clean microfiber to lift the sunscreen and remove any oily residue.
4. Repeat if needed for stubborn areas, especially if the sunscreen has been baked in by the sun.

Pro Tips to Avoid Streaks and Shine

• Work in the shade and on cool surfaces
• Use a dry towel for a final buff to level the finish
• Never use dressings or protectants after cleaning—these often attract more dust and make future smears worse

Related Interior Care Guides

• Best Cleaner for Car Leatherette Seats
• Should You Use APC on Touchscreens?