Can You Spray Alcohol for Disinfection Inside a Car?

[DiRuby]

You can spray alcohol for disinfection inside a car. Here are some precautions to keep in mind when using alcohol for disinfection in a vehicle: Wipe the alcohol clean: If you use alcohol spray for disinfection, make sure to wipe it dry immediately. Alcohol is a flammable and explosive product. After spraying, it should be wiped dry promptly, and the car windows should be opened in a well-ventilated environment. Try to spray on the surface of objects and avoid spraying in hidden or hard-to-reach areas inside the car. Do not smoke inside: After disinfecting the car, avoid smoking inside or closing the windows. As the temperature rises and reaches the ignition point of alcohol, there is a high risk of explosion or fire.

[MacLucille]

Last time I used alcohol to disinfect my car, and the plastic parts on the center console turned white immediately. It broke my heart! While 75% alcohol can indeed kill germs, many parts of the car can't handle it: the screen coating can dissolve, causing scratches; leather seats may dry out and crack; rubber seals are prone to aging. Moreover, with high temperatures inside the car in summer, the concentration of alcohol vapor becomes too high, and even a small static spark could cause a fire. Now I've switched to a car-specific disinfectant spray—just spray it and open the windows for ventilation for 20 minutes, which is both safe and worry-free. For sensitive areas like the dashboard, it's best to gently wipe them with a damp cloth, and never spray directly for convenience.

[MacGiselle]

During the pandemic, I also considered using alcohol spray to disinfect my car. After researching extensively, I found there are significant risks. Alcohol can cause discoloration and cracking of genuine leather seats, and steering wheel covers may harden and become sticky. The repair costs far exceed the disinfection expenses. Additionally, the confined space of a car can lead to excessive alcohol vapor concentration after evaporation, which may cause dizziness while driving. Now, I regularly use a UV disinfection lamp—placing it in the cup holder for half an hour effectively kills germs. For key areas, I use 75% alcohol wipes for spot cleaning, but I make sure to ventilate immediately afterward to dissipate the odor. Safety always comes first.

[DylanLee]

My child has an allergic constitution. I used to disinfect the car with alcohol spray, but it caused the child to cough all the way. After consulting the doctor, I learned that alcohol vapor irritates the respiratory tract, especially for the elderly and children. The key to car disinfection lies in regularly changing the air conditioning filter and using an ozone sterilizing box once a month. When I really need to disinfect a specific area, I pour alcohol into a small spray bottle, spray it onto a towel, and then wipe, avoiding electronic components. For the steering wheel and door handles, after wiping with alcohol wipes, I use a damp cloth with clean water to remove any residue to prevent skin allergies on the hands.