Useful tips for car upholstery cleaning. What are the dangers behind a dirty car?
From muddy boots, candy wrappers, and used wet wipes, tossing trash in the car might seem harmless. But scientists have found that the interior of a car is dirtier than a toilet and hosts an extremely large number of harmful bacteria. The process of car upholstery cleaning does not just serve an aesthetic purpose; it is an essential step in removing microorganisms that are dangerous to human health.
Table of Contents
- What dangers do bacteria in cars hide?
- The best ways to eliminate germs from the car
- How often should the car interior be sanitized?
- What should we keep in mind when cleaning our vehicles?
- Cleaning different types of upholstery
1. What dangers do bacteria in cars hide?
A group of researchers from Aston University (Source), took samples from the inside of cars with a "varied ownership history" to determine levels of bacterial contamination. In general, the car trunk had the most bacteria, followed by the driver's seat, the gear shift, and the back seat.
But it turned out that all six points sampled from inside the cars harbored more bacteria than a dirty toilet seat. In particular, the study found that the car trunk hosts significantly high levels of bacteria, including E. coli (known as fecal bacteria).
The findings represent a clear concern for everyone who puts their fruits and vegetables in the trunk after a shopping trip or for those who habitually eat in the car. Clearly, not using car interior cleaning solutions and, in general, ignoring the sanitization of the automobile can have serious consequences on health.
Other areas tested included the gear shift, dashboard, and backseat, which also recorded higher levels of bacterial contamination than those found in an average domestic toilet. Among the bacteria found were Pseudomonas, a bacterium with strains that cannot be easily treated with antibiotics, and Staph Aureus, a germ associated with coughing and sneezing that, in some cases, is linked to hospital-acquired infections. (Source)
The dirtiest areas inside a car:
- Trunk – 1,425 bacteria identified
- Driver's seat – 649 bacteria identified
- Gear shift – 407 bacteria identified
- Back seat – 323 bacteria identified
- Dashboard – 317 bacteria identified
- Steering wheel – 146 bacteria identified.
A correlation was also discovered between the age of a car and the levels of bacteria that can be found inside it. Older cars sampled for the study showed higher loads of bacteria than those that had been on the road for a shorter period of time.
However, researchers found that, of all the areas in the cars, the steering wheel was generally considered the cleanest. This high-contact area recorded very low levels of bacterial contamination, which could be due to the increased use of hand sanitizers following the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of car upholstery cleaning stages the cars underwent over time is unknown.
2. The best ways to eliminate germs from the car
Disinfecting the car interior
Germs and other bacteria pose a great threat to human health, especially when we spend many hours in traffic. However, there are effective ways to maintain cleanliness and successfully eliminate germs from the car.
Using car interior cleaning solutions is an important step. Also, using disinfectants will eliminate a very high percentage of potentially dangerous pathogens. However, keep in mind the order of steps in the car cleaning process, because the first step is, obviously, removing all trash and dust.
Dust removal
One of the main hosts for germs and bacteria is dust. If we were to analyze dust under a microscope, we would find various types of germs multiplying on dust particles. Because a car is a sealed environment, the chances of bacteria developing inside are much higher than in open spaces.
You can remove most of the dust from the inside of the car with a brush or a simple cloth to reach difficult places. Complete the process with the help of a vacuum cleaner. Don't forget to remove any food particles, as these can become a breeding ground for mold.
Car upholstery cleaning
Seats and upholstery in general become a fertile ground for germs and bacteria. You can clean such fabrics by first using a vacuum cleaner to remove loose dust and then using a car upholstery cleaning solution.
Keep in mind that aggressive cleaning is not necessary for sanitizing upholstery. On the contrary, you could end up damaging these surfaces. Do not scrub surfaces covered with leather or similar materials hard, as they will discolor.
Avoid using water in the car interior cleaning process. Upholstery, for example, will absorb excess water, which will cause other problems. Instead of killing germs, damp cushions (plus summer heat) will serve as the perfect place for them to develop. The best method is to use car interior cleaning solutions specifically designed for sanitizing the car.
Cleaning the air filter
The air filter is responsible for cleaning the air inside a car. You should consider replacing the filter if you notice that the air is not cool enough or if an unpleasant musty odor is circulating in the car. If you are using an air filter with dust accumulated inside, then you are certainly inhaling a multitude of bacteria. Consider changing this air filter at least once every 6 months. If you use the car for off-roading, you may need to change the filter more often.
Disinfecting car interior surfaces
The process of disinfecting surfaces has never been easier than it is now. You can choose from a wide variety of disinfectant products, from sprays to antibacterial wipes, so you can sanitize most hard surfaces inside the car at any time. Use a high-quality disinfectant on surfaces that are frequently touched, for example, the steering wheel, gear shift lever, armrest, touchscreen, buttons, door handles, mirrors.
Klintensiv Tip: To prevent surface contamination with bacteria and viruses, hand hygiene plays an extremely important role. Make sure you always have a hand sanitizer gel in the car.
Take advantage of the sun
Sunlight is one of the best natural disinfectants you can use. Let the car interior be exposed to UV rays after you have finished the car upholstery cleaning stage.
Also, fresh air will be helpful if you haven't parked in a dusty place.
Be aware that sunlight may not be fully effective in places it cannot reach. For example, the area under the glove box, under the seat, under the steering wheel, etc. Do not rely on sunlight as a final disinfectant; it might not be as effective as cleaning and sanitizing with car interior cleaning solutions. (Source)
3. How often should the car interior be sanitized?
Most experts recommend a complete sanitization at least two to three times a year or once every four to six months. The exact frequency of the cleaning and disinfecting routine depends on the degree of wear the vehicle is subjected to. If you keep the interior neat and clean between each professional cleaning, then you could sanitize two to three times a year.
4. What should we keep in mind when cleaning our vehicles?
One thing we should all think about is that we should clean the interior of our cars as much as the exterior. We often see mud splashes that remind us to go to the nearest car wash, but we don't see the bacteria accumulating in our vehicles, and we should clean the interior just as much as the exterior.
Thus, it is important not to rely only on looks, but to be aware that there is a difference between cleanliness from a visual point of view and from a biological point of view. In general, we focus only on the visual element, which means that if something looks clean or tidy, we don't seek to clean deeper.
A quick way to ensure the vehicle is kept clean is to spray a little antibacterial disinfectant on a wipe and wipe down the gear shift and steering wheel. You could also consider washing the vehicle's upholstery from time to time. This way, you will ensure the car is clean both bacteriologically and physically.
5. Cleaning different types of upholstery
Most car seats are made of leather, cloth, or vinyl. Cleaning each type requires various methods to ensure it is done correctly without damaging the material. Before you start cleaning, make sure you vacuum the surrounding areas and the seats to remove dirt.
Leather seats
Cleaning and maintaining leather can be quite complicated, as the color can change and become lighter over time. You can invest in a high-quality leather care or cleaning product to ensure you avoid discoloration of the surfaces. Make sure to dry the seats well with a microfiber cloth after applying a car upholstery cleaning solution.
For cloth seats
Cloth car seats can be prone to stains and can also be susceptible to unpleasant odors. You can use an all-purpose upholstery cleaner most of the time. In case of stains, it is recommended to use a stain remover. You can also buy a spray disinfectant for odor removal.
Vinyl seats
Vinyl car seats are easier to maintain compared to leather ones. All you have to do is use a cleaner that is compatible with the material in question. You can simply spray the solution on the car seats and then wipe them with a cloth.
Conclusion
In general, people do not get sick from the bacteria in their cars because we naturally do things in our daily lives (such as washing our hands) to reduce the impact. However, knowing about the bacteria that can accumulate in our cars can be very useful for cleaning our cars properly and regularly and reducing any risk.
Sources:
https://www.scrapcarcomparison.co.uk/blog/the-dirtiest-areas-of-cars/
https://www.acko.com/car-guide/6-best-ways-to-kill-germs-in-car-disinfect-your-vehicle/
https://www.aston.ac.uk/latest-news/study-reveals-inside-your-car-dirtier-average-toilet
