Can alcohol be used for disinfection inside a car?
2 Answers
Alcohol can be used for disinfection inside a car, but it should be noted that alcohol is a flammable and explosive product. If alcohol is sprayed for disinfection, it should be wiped dry immediately and the car should be placed in a well-ventilated environment with the windows open. Alcohol should be sprayed on the surface of objects as much as possible, avoiding hidden or hard-to-reach areas inside the car. After disinfection, it is essential not to smoke inside the car or close the windows, as rising temperatures can reach the ignition point of alcohol, leading to potential explosions or fires. Additionally, if alcohol is used to wipe surfaces, it may cause damage to genuine leather seats. To achieve effective disinfection and sterilization, car owners should use medical alcohol with a concentration of 75%. Lower concentrations of alcohol will not provide the desired disinfecting effect.
As an ordinary car owner, I think using alcohol for disinfection in the car should be done with caution. It's true that alcohol can kill viruses, and I've tried wiping the steering wheel with alcohol, which indeed has a good sterilization effect. But here's the problem: high-concentration alcohol can easily corrode or dry out plastic interiors and genuine leather seats. Once, I accidentally sprayed too much, and white spots appeared on the seat surface. Alcohol evaporates quickly, producing a pungent odor in enclosed spaces, which can be uncomfortable to inhale over time. More seriously, there's a flammability risk—during summer parking, high temperatures inside the car could make accumulated alcohol vapor unsafe. I recommend using a diluted 70% isopropyl or ethanol solution to wipe specific areas, avoiding electronic screens and other sensitive components, and ventilating by opening windows for at least twenty minutes afterward. Also, check whether the car's materials are suitable for alcohol treatment.
