It has to be one of the most annoying post car wash and detailing occurrences – a bird dropping right there, ruining all your good work, and leaving you wishing you had some bird poo remover. And, goodness me, sometimes they don’t half make a right mess.
Bird poo can leave a horrible mark on your car’s bodywork if you leave it long enough. Autoglym research suggests that bird poo disrupts the paint lacquer, which then moulds itself to the uneven texture of the secretion, even if you’ve used a good wax for protection, creating that discoloured look that can spoil even the nicest paint job.
Car shampoo is one option, but it’s never time effective to clean a car every time a bird deposits its lunch on your motor. Avoid spoiled paintwork with a proper bird poo remover; we’ve found the best and listed them below so you know you’re getting a decent product.
Best bird poo removers at a glance:
Editor’s choice: Autoglym Bird Dropping Wipes – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best bird poo remover spray: Supagard Bird Poo Remover – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best multi-purpose remover: Simoniz Insect and Bird Dropping Remover – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best bird poo removers:
Editor's choice
These are ideal for keeping in your glovebox for catching any fresh deposits that can occur as you drive around. On the downside, it's no good for older, hardened droppings. It's still our top choice, however, for how simple and effective it is.
Pros
- Perfect for use on the go
- Good value for money
- Easy to store in the car
Cons
- Wipes aren’t the most eco-friendly option
- No good on hardened poo
Best bird poo remover spray
Pros
- Powerful on all types of poo
- Easy to apply
Cons
- You need a microfibre cloth
Best multi-purpose remover
Pros
- Quickly softens hardened deposits
- Ideal as a shampoo pre-wash
Cons
- May need a couple of applications
Best bird poo removers for spiders too
This spray deals with both of these and is also eco-friendly. It's non-toxic, and the plastic is recycled, but the best part is that it can be used on a massive range of surfaces, including fabrics.
Pros
- Cleans spider poo too
- Eco-friendly formula
Cons
- You need a microfibre cloth
Best versatile cleaner
Pros
- Multi-purpose
- Non-drip
Cons
- Microfibre towel is needed
Bird-dropping remover FAQs:
How do I remove bird droppings?
The best way to remove bird droppings is to do it as quickly as possible. You’ll have the best chances when the bird poo is fresh and hasn’t hardened in the sun. Each product is different in how long you leave it on the bird poo before you start wiping.
Insect removers can be used to lift bird poo, but aren’t specially formulated for bird poo. We recommend getting the proper stuff to minimise the damage risk.
How can I stop birds pooing on my car?
While there is no guaranteed way to stop a bird from doing its business all over your car, there are a couple of little tips to limit the chance they have.
The first thing you can do is ensure your car is parked away from tall objects that birds enjoy perching on. This includes trees, lamp posts, buildings and even overhead wires. It appears that these areas are all designated toilets for birds.
Also, try as much as you can to park your car under a cover. A garage or carport is ideal, but a good car cover will also keep your paint safe from a bird’s number two.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for CAR, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. With an MA in Automotive Journalism, when he’s not testing buckets he can be found looking at old Porsches.
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