Unexpected 'enemies' of car interiors
Many popular accessories help mask unpleasant odors in your car, but can also damage your car's interior if used improperly.
In addition to equipping themselves with safe driving skills, drivers need to learn more about accessories that can damage their vehicles if not used properly.
Fragrance products
Car fragrance products include the type that hangs on the rearview mirror, the scented wax in the air conditioner vent and the solution in the passive diffuser. The fragrance ingredients of these fragrance products contain volatile solvents to effectively spread the scent in the air. The common properties of these solvents are corrosive to the surface of fabrics, paints, plastics...
Therefore, if these fragrance products come into direct contact with buttons, air vents, armrests... in the car, peeling is likely to occur. In particular, if exposed for a long time in hot and humid weather, plastic parts may melt.
To avoid affecting the car interior, scented products should be hung securely in the rearview mirror. If it obstructs the view, it can be placed in the glove compartment. Note, scented products should not be hung in the gear lever position, in front of the air conditioner vent.
For diffused liquid perfumes, do not place them on the dashboard. If there is a collision, the perfume will splash all over the car, possibly scorching the dashboard surface.
Cosmetics
Not only scented products, daily cosmetics such as mosquito repellent creams and sprays contain DEET, which is highly corrosive to plastic, leather, rubber, synthetic fabrics...
In addition, sunscreens containing titanium oxide can react with plastic surfaces and natural oils in leather seats, especially at high temperatures, causing fading.
Strong chemicals
Strong chemicals are considered the "hidden enemy" of car interiors. Many people think that using soap, glass cleaner or strong detergents will make the car interior shine. But in fact, strong detergents can accidentally damage the protective layer of the car interior surface, causing the car interior to deteriorate faster.
Accordingly, strong chemicals remove the protective layer, causing the leather and plastic to fade, even become dry and cracked...
Solutions containing strong acids or alkalis can fade, scratch or even melt plastic on dashboard details, gear levers, car doors...
