Can clothes be left in the car for a long time?
4 Answers
Yes. Additional information: The following items should not be left in the car: 1. Plastic water bottles: Special attention should be paid when using plastic products, as vinegar, cleaning agents, direct sunlight, and high temperatures can cause chemical reactions. These reactions mainly release ethylene monomers. 2. Perfume: The angular bottle can refract sunlight, leading to explosions. 3. Fire extinguishers: Over time, the pressure decreases until it reaches zero. 4. Lighters: The principle of lighter explosions is similar to that of liquefied gas tanks, where compressed liquid gas inside intensifies vaporization as temperature rises, increasing internal pressure. When the lighter's walls can no longer withstand the pressure, it explodes. 5. Batteries, power banks, etc.: Impact or deformation can compress the internal liquid electrolyte, even causing the separator to fail directly, leading to a short circuit between the positive and negative terminals. This generates a large internal current, releasing massive heat, vaporizing the electrolyte, and causing an explosion. 6. Reading glasses, magnifying glasses, etc.
I used to frequently help my family with laundry and noticed that leaving clothes in the car for extended periods isn't ideal. The temperature fluctuations inside a car are extreme—during summer, the interior can exceed 50°C under direct sunlight, while in winter, it's cold and humid, leading to condensation. Clothes stored in such conditions are prone to mold and unpleasant odors, especially cotton or wool garments, which absorb moisture easily and can harbor bacteria, potentially causing skin allergies when worn. I became particularly concerned about my children's clothes if they were accidentally left behind, so I developed a habit of checking and removing them every time I exited the car. If temporary storage is necessary, opt for heat-resistant synthetic fibers placed in a bag, but never leave them for more than a day.
As a commuter who drives to work every day, I sometimes casually toss dry-cleaned or changed clothes onto the back seat, but soon realize the problems. The enclosed space of the car causes clothes to absorb hard-to-remove smoke or gasoline odors. Leather jackets can harden and crack under high temperatures, while regular fabrics may fade or deform. Over time, this can attract insects or lead to poor air quality inside the car, affecting driving mood. I recommend developing a small habit of immediately removing clothes when arriving home to avoid obstructing the rearview mirror's view and ensuring safer driving.
From my years of life experience, keeping clothes in the car for a long time is absolutely not advisable. The car environment is harsh—summer heat can cause clothes to shrink and wrinkle, while winter cold and humidity can lead to mold spots on fabrics. Such damage shortens the lifespan of clothing and may also cause odors that spread to other items in the car. It's also not ideal for safety, as piling up too many clothes can obstruct the view, creating bigger problems.
