Can the Interior of a Car Be Disinfected with Alcohol?
2 Answers
Car interiors can be disinfected with alcohol, but the car must be turned off and kept in a non-operational state. It is also important to ensure proper ventilation inside the car. Since 75% alcohol has a flash point around 22 degrees Celsius and evaporates quickly, car owners must ensure there are no open flames nearby and be cautious with the amount of alcohol used to avoid high concentrations in the air, which could lead to an explosion. Seventy-five percent alcohol is effective in deactivating viruses because alcohol molecules have strong permeability, allowing them to penetrate the membrane of bacteria, enter their interior, and coagulate the proteins that form the basis of bacterial life, thereby killing the bacteria.
I've been driving a taxi for fifteen years and disinfect the car every day. 75% medical alcohol can be used, but be sure to avoid leather dashboards and genuine leather seats, as they can dry out and turn white. For fabric seats, it's best to spray the alcohol on a cloth and then wipe, rather than spraying directly, to prevent it from seeping into the electrical circuits. After disinfecting, remember to open the windows for ventilation for half an hour, otherwise the strong alcohol smell can be overwhelming and it's also flammable. Focus on wiping door handles and the steering wheel, as these areas harbor the most bacteria. By the way, choose colorless disinfectant to avoid staining the interior. Twice a week is enough; doing it too frequently can actually harm the car.
