Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Lifestyle

How to Clean Dog Drool Off Car Interior: Cleaning Options & Tips

Misty Layne
By Misty LayneUpdated on June 17, 2026
Share
spraying car seat with water

Being a dog parent is incredibly rewarding but can also be quite messy. This holds especially true if you have a dog that is a huge drooler. Drooly breeds can leave quite a mess wherever they go, and dog drool can leave stains.

You’re probably a pro at getting rid of dog drool and drool stains off objects in your home, but what about removing them from your car interior? How do you clean dog drool off your car interior? There are a few ways to go about this, which we’ll detail below. Before you know it, your vehicle will be drool-free!

dogster face divider

Why Do Dogs Drool in the Car?

Even if your pup isn’t a drooly breed, you might find they tend to be more drooly in the car, but why is that? Why do dogs drool in the car?

There are actually a few reasons for this, including:

  • Motion sickness
  • Excitement
  • Anxiety
  • Being too hot

Motion sickness is probably the top cause of dogs drooling in the car, but some pups also get super anxious about riding in vehicles, which leads them to drool more often. Other dogs simply get overly excited about car rides, which leads to drooling, and then there are the canines who get excessively hot and start panting a lot, which causes them to drool more.

Image by: Andrey_Popov, Shutterstock
dogster paw divider

Before You Begin

Gather the tools you will be using.

What do you need?

  • Absorbent towels (cloth or paper)
  • Pet-friendly cleaner
  • Vacuum
  • Odor-eliminating spray

If you're looking for a pet-friendly cleaner and an odor eliminating spray, your best bet is to invest in en enzyme cleaner. Many of these are made from all natural ingredients and work at combating pet messes by using active ingredients that lift stains and remove lingering odors.

If you're looking for an all-in-one, pet-friendly, enzyme cleaner, we highly recommend the Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray.

It eliminates tough stains and odors easily and is excellent for accident prevention. Plus, it comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee! Click here to order now.

At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding products of this cool pet company!

dogster paw divider

How to Clean Dog Drool Off the Car Interior: A Step-By-Step Guide

Ready to clean your car interior of dog drool? Of course, you are! Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do just that.

1. Tackle fresh drool first

Image by: guys_who_shoot, Shutterstock

Use your absorbent towels to blot up fresh drool. Don’t wipe at it, though! Doing that will spread it around rather than eliminate it. Once fresh drool is removed, wait for the surface to dry a little.


2. Use your pet-friendly cleaner

Spray or dab it onto the remaining drool spots, let it sit for a bit, and then blot it away. You might have to do this more than once to remove the dried drool stains. Don't forget to use the pet-friendly cleaner on any other dried drool stains you find.

  • What about leather or vinyl?

3. Vacuum

Vacuum over the stain first to loosen up any grime on the upholstery. Then, use the pet-friendly cleaner on the stain and scrub it with a soft brush.

Image by: Andrey_Popov, Shutterstock

4. Use an Odor-eliminating Spray

Drool can produce odors, so you want to be sure you’re eliminating those as well. So, next up is using an odor-eliminating spray. Just spray that around, open some windows to air out the car, and you should be good!

dogster paw divider

What if I Want to Clean Up Drool With Natural Products?

Some people may not want to use store-bought cleaners, no matter how pet-friendly they are. If that sounds like you, you can clean drool stains with natural products you probably already have in your home.

Cleaning Up Drool With Rubbing Alcohol

If you have surfaces that aren’t water-safe, rubbing alcohol could work.

Steps to follow:

  1. Pour some 70% isopropyl alcohol into a spray bottle, then spray it lightly on the drool stain.

  2. If you don’t have a spray bottle, dab it on with a cloth.

  3. Blot with a dry cloth, and you’re done!


Cleaning Up Drool With Vinegar

Image By: FotoHelin, Shutterstock

An all-natural way you can get rid of drool is with vinegar.

Steps to follow:

  1. Mix 1 tsp of dish detergent, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/4 cup of white vinegar, and 1 cup of water.

  2. Pour this solution into a clean spray bottle.

  3. Only use this solution on water-safe fabrics, like upholstery or carpeting!

  4. Spray your vinegar mix on the drool stain lightly, but don’t soak it.

  5. Let sit for 15 minutes.

  6. Use cold water to dampen a cloth, then blot away the vinegar mixture.

  7. Dry the area.

  8. Repeat the process if necessary.


Cleaning Up Drool With Baby Wipes

It sounds unbelievable, but some people swear up and down that baby wipes can get rid of doggie drool in the car. Just grab a few wipes and wipe down what you need to! Of course, if you have leather seats, you might not want to use this method as the wipes could dry out the leather.

If you are looking for the perfect product to clean your dog's sensitive areas, Hepper's Wash Wipes are our recommendation, plus it's a great on-the-go option. These premium wipes are thick and durable enough for the toughest of paw messes, while still being soft enough to use on your dog's ears or eyes. Formulated with pet-friendly, hypoallergenic ingredients they are the ideal product for all dogs of all ages, skin conditions, or sensitivities. 

At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool pet company!

Dogster_Website dividers_v1_Jan 18 2024-01-TEST

Use Preventive Measures

Image By: eva_blanco, Shutterstock

Want to stop drool in its tracks? While you may not be able to get your four-legged friend to stop drooling in the car, you can keep the interior of your car safe from drool by doing a few simple things.

Some recommendations are:

  • Put a protective cover or blanket on your car seats.
  • Put a bib on your pup so it catches drool.
  • Don’t open windows. If windows are open, drool is more likely to go flying around.
  • If your pup is drooling because of motion sickness, talk to a vet about motion sickness medication.
dogster face divider

Final Thoughts

Having drool all over the interior of your car can be gross, but with the above guide, you can easily clean it up. Doing so probably won’t take long either (unless your pup is particularly drooly). Also, take a few preventive measures next time you go for a car ride with your favorite dog. It’ll save you some time!


Featured Photo Credit: Nomad Soul, Shutterstock

The Dogster Newsletter

Expert dog care, straight to your inbox

News, insights, expert advice, and everything dog.

No spam — unsubscribe anytime.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

Click a star to rate. You can leave written feedback afterwards. (We read all feedback.)

Misty Layne
Authored by

Misty Layne

Leave a Reply

You're very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let's have a positive and constructive conversation.

How to Clean Dog Vomit From Cars: 3 Vet-Reviewed Ideas & Tips

How to Clean Dog Vomit From Cars: 3 Vet-Reviewed Ideas & Tips

Let’s be honest: the last thing we want our dogs to do is vomit in the car. Not only is it a mess that you have to clean up, but it is also a terrible smell in…

Kristin Hitchcock
By Kristin Hitchcock · 1 month ago
Why Does My Dog Drool in the Car? 4 Reasons for This Behavior

Why Does My Dog Drool in the Car? 4 Reasons for This Behavior

While most dogs look forward to riding in the car, some get sick when they do, to the point of drooling and vomiting. However, motion sickness isn’t the only r…

Patricia Dickson
By Patricia Dickson · 1 month ago
How to Get Dog Pee Smell Out of Car Seats (Easy & Effective Tips)

How to Get Dog Pee Smell Out of Car Seats (Easy & Effective Tips)

Many dogs love traveling and are eager to jump in the car and ride wherever their owners go. If you’re a dog owner with a car, you probably use your vehicle to…

Nicole Cosgrove
By Nicole Cosgrove · 1 month ago
How to Dog Proof Your Car: 7 Vet-Approved Tips to Protect Your Interior

How to Dog Proof Your Car: 7 Vet-Approved Tips to Protect Your Interior

Taking road trips with your dog is all fun and games until they puke on the back seat or chew the carpet out of your trunk. The truth is, while many dogs do we…

Kit Copson
By Kit Copson · 4 weeks ago

How to Get Dog Pee Smell & Stains Out of a Car: 4 Easy Steps

Potty training your dog is an essential part of being a dog owner. At home, when properly trained, you won’t have to worry about your dog going potty where he…

Nicole Cosgrove
By Nicole Cosgrove · June 16, 2026
How to Get Dog Pee Smell & Stains Out of a Car: 4 Easy Steps

Do Cane Corsos Drool More Than Other Dogs? Vet-Verified Facts & Cleaning Tips

Dog drool is sticky, can stain clothes, and if your dog shakes a lot, it can end up spread across a room. For this reason, some potential owners worry about ow…

Nicole Cosgrove
By Nicole Cosgrove · June 17, 2026
Do Cane Corsos Drool More Than Other Dogs? Vet-Verified Facts & Cleaning Tips

How to Stop Dog Drooling? Our Vet Explains

One of the less appetizing features of dog ownership is dealing with drool. While there are some breeds that might seem like they’re drowning in drool (and oth…

Dr. Karyn Kanowski
By Dr. Karyn Kanowski · June 17, 2026
How to Stop Dog Drooling? Our Vet Explains

How Much Does a Mastiff Drool? Vet-Verified Facts & Helpful Tips

Mastiffs are incredibly adorable and good-natured dogs, but their massive size can be intimidating for many. After all, the English Mastiff is one of the world…

Jeff Weishaupt
By Jeff Weishaupt · June 17, 2026
How Much Does a Mastiff Drool? Vet-Verified Facts & Helpful Tips

National Slobber Appreciation Day 2026: What It Is & When It’s Celebrated

If we’re honest, nobody really loves slobber. But many of us do have a slobberer in our lives that we do love truly and deeply. When it comes to the glorious c…

Eleanor Glaum
By Eleanor Glaum · June 16, 2026
National Slobber Appreciation Day 2026: What It Is & When It’s Celebrated

4 DIY Homemade Enzyme Cleaner Recipes for Dog Urine: Easy & Effective

When disaster strikes in the form of dog pee somewhere it should not be, what you need is an enzyme cleaner to tackle the smell and stain. Store-bought enzyme…

Kit Copson
By Kit Copson · July 4, 2026
4 DIY Homemade Enzyme Cleaner Recipes for Dog Urine: Easy & Effective

Why Do Dogs Pant in the Car? Vet Reviewed Causes, Risks & Prevention

Does your canine companion love to go on car rides? Many dogs are big fans of riding in the car, which makes sense, considering they get to go on an adventure…

Misty Layne
By Misty Layne · July 9, 2026
Why Do Dogs Pant in the Car? Vet Reviewed Causes, Risks & Prevention

9 Dog-Safe Cleaning Products You Must Have at Home (Vet-Approved)

Living with a dog can be a fun and rewarding experience, even if things at home don’t stay as clean as you would like them to. After all, dogs are not exactly…

Rachael Gerkensmeyer
By Rachael Gerkensmeyer · June 17, 2026
9 Dog-Safe Cleaning Products You Must Have at Home (Vet-Approved)

Love Dogs? So Do We! Join the Dogster Community

Stay informed with expert pet care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on animal behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.

You may opt-out at any time. View our Privacy Policy for more information.

The Dogster app on a phone