Can You Spray Alcohol to Disinfect Inside a Car?
2 Answers
It is not advisable to use alcohol for disinfection inside a car. Since alcohol is a flammable and explosive liquid, it poses a risk of fire or explosion in the confined space of a vehicle. To avoid damaging the interior decorations, it is recommended to use disinfectants such as peracetic acid or chlorine dioxide for car interior disinfection. Additional information: 1. For surfaces inside the car such as door handles, steering wheel, windows, and seats, you can choose chlorine-containing disinfectants, chlorine dioxide, or disinfectant wipes for cleaning. 2. Private cars generally do not require disinfection. In open outdoor areas, it is recommended to open windows for ventilation. In underground parking garages, it is advisable to close the windows and turn on the air conditioning in recirculation mode for ventilation. Under the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, it is recommended that passengers sit in the back seat, and both passengers and the driver should wear masks.
I usually pay special attention to interior cleanliness, but I really don't recommend spraying alcohol directly. The car cabin is relatively confined and enclosed, and spraying high-concentration alcohol may cause ignition if exposed to open flames or static electricity. Additionally, many interior materials can't withstand alcohol corrosion, especially genuine leather seats and steering wheels may turn white and harden, while the infotainment screen's coating could also dissolve. There are now specially designed vehicle disinfectant sprays that use quaternary ammonium compounds - just spray and wipe dry, they're safe and won't damage interiors. If you must use alcohol, I suggest using wipes for spot-cleaning metal components, then ventilate for at least 15 minutes. Key areas like door handles and steering wheels can be treated weekly.
