So I've seen pre-made commercial products for... as far as I'm concerned too much money...

so does anybody have a suggestion on some sort of material to cut-up to create absorbent pads for the bottom of the cupholders?

The other day I had a cup from a fast food restaurant... fail... and leak iced tea all over my driver dash cupholder..

that being said... it wiped out INCREDIBLY well (after I removed most of the liquid) with just a napkin.. you couldn't even tell anything spilled... but I'd like to avoid gunk and stuff building up due to potential accidents in the future...

 

shamwow!!!

 

Scam-now?!

Okay, I realize you're probably half-joking, and half-serious, but that being said... I think something more color coordinated is what I'm looking for.. grey or black. Not bright yellow-orange shamois.

 

depending on how much you spill that absorbing pad or watever you're making will take some time to dry....which can lead to mildew.

 

Paper towles or napkins. What I do is grab some napkins from whatever place I eat at and wrap it at the base of the drink. Effective, replaceable, and most important free .

 

Any of the viscose "towels" or "wipes" will work, I have the Trader Joe's ones myself, and they not only make cleaning up a breeze, but make for excellent face cloths too:
Apartment Therapy Re-Nest | Feel The Love: Trader Joe's Super Amazing Kitchen Cloth Most Popular Posts

They're located in the store next to the kitchen stuff, dish soap, etc.

They make for good hand DRYING towels too, although they are small. Because they dry so quickly after using them, you never have to dry your hands with a wet towel.

They come in a random color pairing.

Similar items are sold at the drug store and other grocery stores.

You've probably seen this type too before:
Ecotech Envirolite Plus Cloth 50.0cm x 36.0cm Blue | EcoTech | Kitchen Hygiene

I have some in green, I think.
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There's always paper coasters.
307 White Coaster, Linen-Like, scalloped edge - 3 3/8 Inches ( HOFFMASTER876083 ), Hoffmaster 307 White Coaster, Linen-Like, scalloped edge

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I'd suggest both. Keep a couple of the viscose "towels" in the package, a couple zip-lock baggies (empty) and several paper coasters in another zip-lock baggie.

For the usual sweaty cup, the coaster will do the trick. Toss the used coaster(s) into the empty zip-lock for recycling/disposal (as there isn't always a trash receptacle or recycling bin nearby).

And in case of accidents, you whip out the larger absorbent towels, and let them do their thing to absorb, and wring them out.

You might also carry moistened hand wipes that can also be used for cleaning a bit of sticky from the cup holder, as well as cleaning your hands from wringing out the reusable viscose towel.

All the dampish things can go into the zip lock baggie until you get home.

 

Cut up a couple layers of shamwow and throw it in the bottom. Either that or get a black sponge, fillet it, and cut it to size ^_~

You shouldnt leave those fast food cups sitting around too long because whatever is inside will eventually escape. especially in a car with varying temps!

 

They make "stones" for your cupholder, just like a coaster you would use in your house. I got some here in town with Mississippi State Univ. on em. See below...

Gators Car Cup Holder Stone Coaster Set of 2

 

Neoprene mouse pads. Cut um to shape. Cheap. Any color you want

 

I have a set from this guy:
consolepads.com Home Page
Custom cut to fit into 2009-2010 Fit cup holders, etc.

 

Hmm...I've seen those on ebay. Looks interesting.

 

Over the years I've made a lot of absorbant coasters using remnant parts of indoor- outdoor carpeting and those plastic lids that come on coffee cans, peanut cans, etc. You wouldn't need the plastic lid but rather just cut out a piece of carpet and you can remove and wash when necessary.