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Steph said, “Hi there I was hoping for some advice on how to remove some candy from my car dashboard. My kids left some gummy bears sitting on the dash of my car in the baking hot sun, and they melted into a big goo which has since gone rock hard!!! Any suggestions on how to remove this would be great, as I don’t even know where to start. Many thanks in advance.”
Melted 
candy is a sticky mess, and when it hardens after being melted, it sticks to surfaces even more than it sticks to your teeth. The best way to remove it is a little unusual, but very easy. Follow the steps below.
You Will Need:
- A hair dryer
- An extension cord
- A plastic scraper
- A cloth
- Mild dish liquid
- Water
Steps to Remove the Melted Candy:
- The candy will be easiest to remove when it is soft and melty. If your candy has hardened, put a hair dryer on the warm setting and point it at the candy, holding it a few inches away. If needed, use an extension cord to plug in the hair dryer. Keep the hair dryer on the candy until it softens.
- When the candy is soft, scrape it off with a plastic scraper or a spoon.
- Once the bulk of the residue is gone, wash the area with a mild dish liquid and water.
Additional Tips:
- If a stain remains after the candy is gone, examine it to determine if it is a greasy stain or a dye stain.
- For greasy stains, cover the area with some baking soda overnight. If needed, use plastic wrap to hold the baking soda in place.
- For dye stains and all other stains, use an enzyme digester, such as Kids ‘N’ Pets or Nature’s Miracle. Be sure to test it first in a small hidden area as most of these cleaners contain alcohol, which will help to remove a dye stain, but could stain the dashboard. If you don’t want to use an enzyme cleaner, you can try using a mix of equal parts white vinegar and water.
- Consider applying a dashboard protectant after the candy is removed. This is especially important if you have used a cleaner on the dashboard as some cleaners can have a drying effect.
- A few drops of baby oil can be used in place of a commercial dashboard protectant.
Sources:
- The Complete Household Handbook by Good Housekeeping
- 99 Cent Solutions by Reader’s Digest
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