DIY Car Detailing: How to Get Slime/Gunk Out of Cup Holders

1/18/2026
DIY Car Detailing: How to Get Slime/Gunk Out of Cup Holders

DIY Car Detailing: How to Get Slime/Gunk Out of Cup Holders

Kids and cars can be a messy combination. And one of the most common places for messes to happen is in the cup holders. Whether it's spilled slime, melted crayons, or just a sticky buildup of gunk, cleaning out your car's cup holders can be a real challenge. But don't worry, we've got a simple and effective DIY hack that will make your cup holders look like new again.

What You'll Need

The Hack

This simple hack uses the power of steam to loosen up the gunk in your cup holders, making it easy to wipe away.

  1. Create a cleaning solution: Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water.
  2. Soak the gunk: Spray the cleaning solution into the cup holders and let it soak for a few minutes to loosen up the gunk.
  3. The "sock trick": Place a sock over the bottom of a travel mug.
  4. Spray the sock: Spray the sock with the cleaning solution until it's damp.
  5. Twist and clean: Place the travel mug into the cup holder and twist it back and forth to scrub away the gunk.
  6. Wipe it clean: Use a microfiber cloth to wipe out the cup holder and remove any remaining residue.

For Really Stubborn Gunk

For really stubborn gunk, you may need to use a little bit of extra elbow grease.

The Bottom Line

You don't have to spend a lot of money on expensive detailing products to get your car's cup holders clean. With a little bit of white vinegar and a sock, you can easily remove even the most stubborn gunk and make your cup holders look like new again.