**Summer Heatwave Brings Surge in Car Seat Damage from Sun Cream Stains, Experts Warn**
As Britain basks in the warmth of an ongoing heatwave, motorists are being cautioned about an unexpected menace lurking in many vehicles: sunscreen. This everyday summer essential, while vital for skin protection, can inadvertently leave car owners with a hefty repair or cleaning bill, potentially amounting to £200 if professional intervention is required.
The warning comes amid widespread use of sun protection as temperatures climb across Wales and other parts of the UK. Experts from the automotive sector have pointed out that the oily, water-resistant nature of sun cream makes it particularly troublesome when it comes into contact with vehicle interiors. Once smeared on seats, especially those covered in fabric, leather, or synthetic materials, sunscreen can leave behind persistent stains that defy easy removal.
Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing, spoke candidly about the issue. “High temperatures make sunscreen absolutely essential to guard against harmful UV rays – and those rays can penetrate even car windows,” he noted. “Yet, sun cream and car upholstery are a troublesome combination, as those water-resistant properties that protect your skin also mean the product clings stubbornly to fabrics and resists most standard cleaning methods.”
This resistance to removal stems from the very qualities that make sun cream effective. Designed to withstand sweat and moisture, the substances used in sunscreen are uniquely difficult to dissolve. Prolonged exposure of these products to vehicle upholstery can result in indelible marks, leading drivers to call in professional cleaning services, which can set them back by around £200 per session.
Delving into the science, the British Skin Foundation highlights that two main categories of sunscreen exist within the UK: chemical and mineral. Mineral sunscreens, in particular, tend to be more visible on skin due to their white-tinged ingredients – primarily titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. These same compounds, while excellent at blocking UV light, are notorious for causing stubborn white residues on both real and faux leather seating, compounding the cleaning challenge.
Mr Conway advises preventative measures are the best defence. He recommends that if any sun cream finds its way onto your seats, it should be wiped off immediately using cleaning wipes or baby wipes to prevent the stain from setting. “If you act quickly, you stand a much better chance of preventing permanent discolouration,” he explained. For those stains that persist, advice can vary: some car care professionals tout the effectiveness of gentle degreasers or even household products like diluted white wine vinegar. However, many have found success with baby wipes, which offer a gentle yet effective option for tackling greasy residues for as little as £1 a pack.
The popularity of this cleaning hack is reflected online; Dr Scott Walter, an American dermatologist and popular YouTuber, has attracted tens of thousands of viewers with his advice in recent weeks. “I love sunscreen but one thing I hate about it is how easily it gets on my car’s upholstery,” he says in a video. “After much trial and error, I found baby wipes to be the best solution—they clean up sunscreen without damaging delicate car surfaces.”
Beyond tackling stains, Mr Conway also offered additional guidance for anyone travelling during the hot spell. He emphasised the importance of using a sun cream of at least SPF 15 with UVA protection even whilst inside a car, given the ability of UV rays to penetrate vehicle windows. Nonetheless, he cautioned against leaving sunscreen containers in glove compartments or cars for extended periods. “The extreme interior temperatures can cause active ingredients to degrade, reducing the effectiveness of the product precisely when you need it most,” Conway added.
This advice comes as part of a wider campaign to help motorists protect not just their own wellbeing, but their vehicles as well during the hottest months of the year. As sun cream sales continue to soar, the importance of mindful application—and careful clean-up—has never been clearer.
With the heatwave set to continue, drivers across Wales and the rest of the UK are being urged to keep wipes on hand and remain vigilant as they balance sun safety with car care—saving themselves an avoidable, and costly, summer headache.