You probably spend more time in your car than you realize. Driving to and from work, school drop-offs, grocery store runs, weekend getaways – it all adds up. But while you’re fretting about traffic and tunes, the inside of your car is steadily building up dirt, germs, and toxins. Most people clean their homes more often than they clean their cars, even though we tend to eat, sneeze, and touch everything in our cars.
Let’s break down the unexpected dangers hiding in plain sight and what you can do about them.
In This Article:
Germs And Bacteria Love Your Steering Wheel
That steering wheel you’re holding all day long? It might be dirtier than a public restroom toilet seat. Scientists have found that within car interiors, thousands of bacteria per square inch accumulate, especially on touch points.
- Your Steering Wheel Is A Germ Magnet
Most of us sneeze, drink, eat, and even put on makeup behind the wheel. So, the steering wheel is the best place for bacteria to grow. Unless you regularly clean it, you are, in effect, driving with your hands in a petri dish.
- Touchscreens And Buttons Collect Everything
Infotainment controls and dashboard buttons are touched a lot but cleaned little. Food, phone, and unwashed hands’ germs remain behind, doubling quickly. If you have a car with more than one user, the contamination risk is multiplied once again.
- Seats Absorb More Than You Think
Cloth seats are particularly vulnerable to soaking up sweat, spills, crumbs, and skin flakes. Everything mixes together and turns your seats into a bacterial breeding ground. Leather seats aren’t safe either – they trap less but need constant cleaning.
Allergens Can Be Trapped In The Air
Your inside air in your vehicle might be making you sneeze or stuffy. Allergens enter on open windows, shoes, and clothing, and they will linger much longer than you would think.
- Dust Mites Live In Upholstery
They are fed on skin flakes and like fabric seats and floor mats. If you suffer from allergies, dust mites could be the sneaky culprit behind your watery eyes or runny nose every time you drive.
- Pollen Settlement And Accumulation
Pollen from trees, grass, and flowers enters in through windows and air vents. It adheres to furniture and upholstery once they enter the home. That is, allergy season doesn’t cease when you close the car door.
- Pet Hair And Dander Remain
If you have a furry friend who travels with you, their hair and dander likely live in your seats and carpet. You may not even be aware of it, but it can trigger allergies and asthma attacks for sensitive travelers.
Leftover Food And Trash Invite Unwanted Guests
We’ve all done it – leaving a snack package or coffee in the cup holder and thinking you’ll pick it up later. But crumbs and food particles can be more than a stinky smell.
- Food Particles Attract Pests
Ants and even cockroaches will track them down if you leave enough behind. That convenient sandwich in the car might be inviting unwanted critters you’d rather not have with you.
- Mold Can Develop In Secret Spots
Spills that are not cleaned up correctly can lead to mold in floor mat and seat cushion areas. Not only does mold have a foul odor, but it also creates respiratory problems with long-term exposure.
- Trash Offers A Petri Dish
Food and drink containers, packaging, and take-out bags are traps for moisture and welcome bacteria. Left long enough, they are a bacteria hotspot, especially on hot or humid days.
Car Interiors Harbor Toxic Chemicals
New car scent? That’s usually the result of off-gassing of plastic and adhesives used in car manufacturing. But the smells might not be as harmless as they smell.
- Plastic Components Emit VOCs
Plastic dashboards, trim, and seat components emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Long-term exposure can lead to headaches, dizziness, or worse for sensitive souls.
- Air Fresheners Can Be Toxic
The majority of commercial air fresheners use phthalates and other chemicals. They definitely mask odors, but they put more toxins to inhale in the car.
- Heat Amplifies Chemicals
As your car heats up inside, it amplifies the release of VOCs. That warm sunny summer day? It turns your car into a chemical gas chamber if you park it with the windows shut.
Regular Detailing Can Eradicate These Risks
One of the best tools to battle these concealed dangers is regular auto detailing. Auto detailing can penetrate beyond the surface to give a deep clean to areas you may forget about.
- Deep Cleaning Zeros In On Troublesome Areas
Detailers use equipment that will reach deep into vents, under seats, and around crevices. Those are areas where the most hidden dust and debris collect. Having those areas detailed on a regular basis removes the impurities before they can accumulate.
- Protection Services Add Extra Layers
Detailing jobs also include protectants for upholstery and leather. These coats make future cleanups simpler and stop stains and wear.
If you want your car to feel and appear brand new on the inside, silverstoneautospa.com provides professional interior detailing. They use high-quality products and techniques to have your car returned to a safe, clean place.
You Might Be Breathing In More Than You Know
The air that you breathe while within your vehicle is sometimes worse than the outside air. That is particularly the case if your cabin air filter is dirty or you fail to regularly fresh air your car.
- Old Cabin Air Filters Trap Dirt And Smells
Most drivers fail to change their cabin air filters often enough. A dirty filter makes dirty air circulate, like dust, pollen, and even mold spores. Changing it every 12,000 to 15,000 miles keeps the air fresher.
- Closed Windows Trap Airborne Pollutants
We roll up windows to exclude noise or weather. But in doing so, we also trap stale air and odors inside. Open a window sufficiently to ventilate and lower pollutant levels.
- Forgotten Vent Systems Encourage Mold
Wet and moldy vents can occur if they are not routinely serviced. If it has a musty smell when you activate your A/C, perhaps a professional cleaning is in order.
Conclusion
Your car might look neat on the surface, but hidden dangers most likely reside in every seat crease and air vent. From toxins and allergens to mold and germs, your car interior can quietly affect your well-being more than you might think. But with some smart habits and the help of detailing professionals, you can make your car a cleaner, healthier place.