Can Alcohol Wipes Be Stored in a Car?
2 Answers
75% alcohol should not be stored in a car. Since the ignition point of alcohol is only 20 degrees Celsius, excessively high temperatures inside the vehicle may cause combustion. Below are the hazards of storing or using alcohol in a car: 1. Safety risks: Alcohol stored in a car can self-ignite. Common 75% medical alcohol has an ignition point of 20 degrees Celsius, while midday outdoor temperatures in summer can exceed 40 degrees Celsius. If a car is parked outside under direct sunlight for a period, the interior temperature can rise to over 50 degrees Celsius, easily triggering alcohol self-ignition and explosions. 2. Damage to vehicle surfaces: If alcohol is used inside the car and the interior seats or steering wheel are made of genuine leather, spraying alcohol directly on the leather can cause certain damage. Alcohol is an organic solvent, and for vehicles with substandard leather quality, the originally smooth and uniform color may turn into a texture resembling that of a jaguar after alcohol use.
I think it's best not to keep alcohol wipes in the car for a long time, especially during the hot summer weather. The temperature inside the car can soar to over 60 degrees Celsius under direct sunlight, and alcohol is particularly prone to evaporation. If the bottle or packaging is not properly sealed, it may leak. More seriously, alcohol is flammable, and even a tiny spark, such as from a lighter or static electricity when starting the car, could cause a fire. I usually remind my family that it's fine to keep such disinfectant supplies in the car for emergencies, but they should be removed after use and not left there long-term. This is a matter of everyone's safety, especially in the confined space of a car, where evaporated fumes could pose health risks. In short, for daily storage, choose a cool, dry place, like a storage room at home—it's both safe and practical, and you can also check if other perishable items have gone bad.
