Can Alcohol Wipes Be Kept in the Car?
3 Answers
Alcohol wipes can be kept in the car, but the following points should be noted: 1. Ensure ventilation: Pay attention to maintaining indoor ventilation, as a confined space with high alcohol vapor concentration can easily cause a fire. 2. Avoid direct sunlight: In summer, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can raise the temperature inside the car to 60-70 degrees Celsius. When exposed to prolonged sunlight or when the interior temperature reaches a certain level, alcohol-containing items like wipes are prone to expansion and explosion, potentially leading to a fire. 3. Avoid bulk purchases: Do not purchase alcohol in large quantities, as storing excessive amounts can pose safety hazards.
I've been driving for over a decade and always keep alcohol wipes in my car – super convenient for cleaning hands or the steering wheel. But you've got to be extra careful in summer. Once I left a wipe container on the dashboard and forgot about it for three hours in direct sunlight – the packaging ballooned up like it was about to pop, and burned my fingers when I picked it up. These individually wrapped ones are better, but I'd never dare keep a big bottle of liquid alcohol in the car. Not only does the evaporating smell get overwhelming, but the thought of it catching fire from a spark is terrifying. Now I just keep five or six sheets in the glove compartment's shaded area and replenish as needed. The best option is buying those well-sealed single packs to avoid alcohol evaporation affecting cabin air during hot weather.
Moms always keep wet wipes in the car, which are very convenient for wiping kids' messy hands after eating. However, I store alcohol wipes in the trunk storage compartment, wrapped in an insulated bag. I've read that temperatures above 60 degrees Celsius accelerate alcohol evaporation, causing the wipes to dry out quickly. It would be awkward if you suddenly needed to use them while driving only to find they've lost effectiveness. It's not so much about fire risk, but more that the mix of alcohol smell and leather odor can cause dizziness. My tip is to choose child-specific wipes with lower alcohol content and aluminum foil packaging for better sealing. Stored in a shaded spot, they can stay moist for about two weeks.
