Bird poop may signify good luck, but it sure doesn’t feel all that good when you spot a few droppings splattered on your car. Not only is bird poop unsightly, but it could also do serious damage to your car’s paint job. Yes, there is such a thing as "bird poop damage" in vehicles, especially for people who live in the areas of bird flight paths. But what kind of damage are we talking about exactly? And what can you do to prevent that from happening? We researched this in-depth to bring you the best tips.
To keep your car squeaky clean, every driver should learn what to do about bird doo-doo. Some of the most common ways to remove bird poop from your car are as follows:
- Spray WD-40 and rinse away the stains.
- Pour seltzer water on windshield stains and wipe away.
- Spray warm water mixed with baking soda before rinsing the stains.
- Place a damp microfiber cloth on dried dung for a few minutes, then scrub away.
- Use special wipes designed explicitly for bird poop.
We’ll share even more detailed information on getting rid of these nasty stains in the rest of this post. As a bonus, we’ll go over some of the best ways you could prevent your car from becoming a Pollock poop painting.
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How To Get Bird Poop Off Your Car
Before we get into specific cleaning techniques, please remember it’s always best to remove bird poop as early as possible. Not only is it far easier to remove fresh poo, but it’s also better for your car. You see, as the dung dries, there’s a higher chance it will corrode and cause permanent damage to your car’s paint job.
For this reason, we recommend taking a proactive attitude towards bird poop cleaning. Frequently check your car for new stains and keep a few of the cleaning products listed below well-stocked in your trunk or glove compartment.
Learn how to remove bugs from your car by clicking here!
How To Remove New Bird Poop Stains
If you’re “fortunate” enough to catch a fresh bird poo stain, here are two easy ways to wipe away the grime.
The Seltzer Water Method
Who knew a spot of Perrier could wash all that bird poo away? It’s true; just a dab of seltzer water can help naturally break down the acidic compounds found in bird dung.
Pour a little bit of seltzer water or club soda on your stain, let it sit for a couple of minutes, and then wipe away with a microfiber towel. You could repeat this method a few more times if you’ve got bits of bird dung clinging on.
Please only use this trick with unflavored seltzer water or club soda. While the carbonation in soda pop might break up bird poo, it will leave a sticky residue and cause even further damage to your paint job.
Glass & Surface Windex Wipes
You can conviently remove bird poo with one swift, wipe! Windex glass and surface wipes are formulated to lift dirt and leave a streak free shine. Now, you can wipe away yucky bird droppings before you head to your next destination. It might not be a bad idea to throw a package of these wipes in your glove compartment to use whenever you catch a glimpse of bird poo.
Check out these handy packets on Amazon.
How To Remove Dry Bird Poop From Your Car
Hey, you can’t catch every bird stain early in the game. When bird dung becomes super crusty, then you need to pull out the more substantial cleaning tools. Here are a few of the best ways to remove dried bird poo.
Wet Towel Method
By far, the simplest cleaning method you could use is to place a damp microfiber towel over a dry bird poo and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. Once the time is up, rub your cloth against the stain and see how much comes off. You could repeat this strategy a few times until the stain is removed.
For a bonus, consider placing your microfiber towel in some car-friendly soap beforehand. You could also spray a bit of Windex for additional help.
Be sure to check out this highly-reviewed microfiber towel for car cleaning now on Amazon.
Spray Some WD-40
Although it might sound strange, a bit of WD-40 goes a long way in removing dry dung. After spraying your WD-40 on a stain, let it sit for a few minutes and then wash and wipe away. Repeat one or two times until your stain has wholly vanished.
Baking Soda And Water
Considering bird poo is highly acidic, it makes sense that the alkaline baking soda could help remove stains.
To use this trick, fill up a standard 32-ounce spray bottle with warm water and mix in about four tablespoons of baking soda. Once the baking soda is well incorporated, spray the bird stains on your car a few times and let it sit for about five minutes. Afterward, wash away with a hose and dry off with a microfiber towel.
How To Clean Bird Poop Off Your Car Window
If you’ve got bird poo on your car windows, it’s best to use the seltzer water, baking soda, or wet towel methods listed above. No matter what way you use, it’s essential only to use a microfiber towel on windows to avoid creating scratches.
One thing you never want to do is use windshield wipers to get rid of that poo. Although it might seem like an easy fix, this strategy could easily backfire, causing damage to your wipers and window. By the way, never use sponges or regular towels directly on glass as this could create serious cracks.
While we’re on the subject of car windows, VEHQ recently published an article on driving with a cracked windshield you might find interesting. We also have a post dedicated to replacing RV windows.
General Facts On Bird Poop
Now that we’ve gone over the significant cleaning techniques let’s explore a few common questions drivers have about bird poop. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll know how to prevent yourself from ever having to deal with bird poop in the future.
Can Bird Droppings Damage Car Paint?
Yes, bird droppings can seriously damage your car’s paint job. The reason for this is due to a compound called uric acid that’s found in high quantities in bird dung. As you might’ve already guessed, uric acid is extremely acidic and can corrode your car’s exterior over time. Removing the stains promptly is key in preventing car paint damage.
Is Bird Poop Toxic To Humans?
Yes, bird poop could be toxic to humans. Doctors at Medical New Today now estimate birds and bird droppings could contain as many as 60 different diseases and dozens of parasites. A few of the more common diseases associated with bird poo include:
- E. coli
- Avian flu
- Candidiasis
- St. Louis encephalitis
Can You Get Sick From Cleaning Bird Poop?
Viruses, harmful bacteria, and parasites can spread from bird poop to humans. Thankfully, there are many ways you could reduce the chances of this happening when cleaning your car.
When cleaning bird droppings, it’s a good idea to wear disposable gloves, eye protection, and a face mask. These will reduce the chance of airborne particles getting into your system. You should also wear old clothing designated for messy work and take a shower immediately after cleaning bird poo.
How To Keep Birds Away From Your Car
Learning how to clean bird droppings is a great skill, but is there a way to avoid birds altogether? Honestly, there’s no full-proof method to avoiding bird droppings, but there are a few easy strategies you could put into place to reduce your risk.
The best tip is to avoid parking in areas where birds are known to congregate like under trees or telephone poles. You could also put up a few bird repellant rods or “scarecrow” devices to keep those pesky pigeons away.
Please check out these highly-reviewed bird repellant rods now available on Amazon.
If all else fails, then you could place a tarp over your car to avoid having to clean off bird droppings. This is an especially good idea during migration seasons in the spring and autumn.
Oh yeah, if you’re going on a road to a forested area, it might serve you well to research the number of birds frequently in your chosen destination. Also, be sure to check out VEHQ’s post on how to tell if your car is good enough for a road trip before leaving home.
Are Birds Attracted To Certain Car Colors?
We’re not shitting you—there was a study conducted in the UK examining which car color attracted the most “attention” from our aviary friends. Researchers at Halfords looked at over 1,100 cars in five big cities and tabulated how many had bird dookie.
According to the data, Halfords found red cars had the highest chance of getting pelted by bird pellets. Eighteen percent of vermilion vehicles had some amount of bird poop on them. In second place were blue cars with 14 percent followed by black at 11 percent.
On the opposite extreme, green and white had significantly fewer bird droppings than all other vehicles.
While this study wasn’t particularly scientific, it’s certainly something to keep in mind when you’re trying to pick a new car color.
Final Thoughts On Bird Droppings
Sometimes life is going to throw bird poop your way. That’s just the way it is. Thankfully, now you’re armed with the tools necessary to handle that dreaded white glop the minute it lands on your vehicle. If possible, keep a few of the cleaning supplies listed above in your vehicle at all times so you could quickly get rid of these unsightly stains. With all the tips listed above, you shouldn’t have an issue tackling those bird bombs in the future.
Lost your keys? Please read this post to know what to do about it.