How to Clean Dirty Cup Holders in Your Car (Without the Mess)

Jimbo Balaam on
How to Clean Dirty Cup Holders in Your Car (Without the Mess)

How to Clean Dirty Cup Holders in Your Car (Without the Mess)

Sticky residue, spilled drinks, and random crumbs—it’s like cup holders are magnets for grime. Here's how to clean them properly without oversaturating your center console or making a bigger mess.

Why Cup Holders Get So Gross

They're deep, hard to reach, and the perfect trap for spilled coffee, soda syrup, or melted candy. Because they’re often overlooked, buildup gets caked in and harder to remove over time.

What You’ll Need

Step-by-Step Cleaning

1. Vacuum First

Use a small crevice tool to suck up loose crumbs and debris. This prevents smearing dry dirt into sticky spots.

2. Apply Interior Cleaner

Spray Complete Cabin Cleaner directly into the cup holder or onto your Scrub Buddy Pad. Don’t flood it—just enough to moisten the surface.

3. Agitate the Gunk

Use the Scrub Buddy Pad to work the cleaner into the residue. Its soft-but-textured surface is perfect for plastics, rubber, and inserts.

4. Wipe Dry

Use your Everyday Microfiber Towel to pick up the mess. You may need a second towel for deeper or stickier jobs.

5. Optional: Apply a Dressing

If your cup holders are made of plastic or rubber and you want that OEM look, apply a light coat of All Dressed Up for a fresh matte finish that resists dust and spills.

Pro Tip

For extra deep or narrow cup holders, wrap your towel around a narrow bottle or use foam paintbrushes to reach the bottom corners.

FAQs

What’s the best way to clean sticky cup holders?

Spray Complete Cabin Cleaner directly into the cup holder, agitate with a Scrub Buddy Pad, then wipe clean with a microfiber towel. It removes sticky residue without streaks.

How do I avoid soaking the inside of the console?

Use a controlled spray or spray directly onto a towel or brush to avoid oversaturating. Avoid flooding with too much liquid.

Can I use All Dressed Up inside the cup holder after cleaning?

Yes. After cleaning and drying the surface, apply All Dressed Up lightly with an applicator for a fresh, matte OEM finish.