5 Ways to Clean Up Your Car for a Healthier Ride

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5 Ways to Clean Up Your Car for a Healthier Ride

Janelle Sorensen

Monday, February 23, 2009

You’re careful about keeping toxins out of your home, but have you considered your car? Between running errands, commuting to work, and driving kids to appointments and extracurricular activities, we’re spending more time in our cars than ever before. Take these simple steps to keep your car clean and reduce your exposure to automotive contaminants.

1. Air it out. You know that new car smell that makes most of us euphoric? That distinct perfume is a mixture of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) from the materials used to make the car, including styrene, formaldehyde, xylene and diazinon. If you have a new car, leave the windows down whenever you can – while you’re driving, while it’s parked in your driveway, when you stop at a park. Also, try not to park in direct sunlight unless you can leave the windows down. Heat increases the rate at which chemicals are released from the materials.

2. Dust it out. Whether your car is old or new, wipe the interior down with a damp cloth regularly. The dust in your car can be loaded with contaminants like flame retardants from the seat cushions (especially if your car is older and the cushions are beginning to degrade).

3. Vacuum it out. Before you wipe it down, vacuum your car’s upholstery and flooring with a machine that has a HEPA filter (the high-powered machines at DIY car washes should suffice, as well). You’ll suck up chemically laden dust, allergens, and the dirt that’s tracked in on your feet (that could have lead, pesticides, or gasoline mixed in).

4. Keep it out. If you’re trailing a big diesel truck, back up a bit or take an alternate route to keep polluting emissions from entering your car. Same goes for traffic congestion, if you can, take an alternate route to avoid sitting in a cloud of idling vehicle fumes.

5. Wash it without….chemicals or kids. A good microfiber cloth and plain old water can do wonders for washing the interior and exterior of your car, so save your money and skip all those magical car cleaners on the market today. Also, as you would appreciate the help, keep the kids away from this chore. As mentioned above, the interior dirt and dust can be heavily contaminated. The exterior dirt and dust is no different. Think about it. Dust from the friction on your tires and brake pads can cling around your wheel wells. Gasoline residue may linger around the fuel opening. Cars are a dirty mess that kids should not be involved in cleaning up.

Helpful Resources:

Use the Healthy Car database which focuses on bromine, chlorine, lead, as well as some other heavy metals, allergens and carcinogens. All of these substances were chosen because of their toxicity, persistence, and/or tendency to build up in people and the environment. All of them have also been subject to regulatory restrictions and/or voluntary limits set by industry associations or third party certification organizations. HealthyCar.org includes test results from approximately 450 of the most popular vehicles in the U.S. market between model years 2006-2009.

Use the Healthy Car Seat Guide that has tested over 130 popular 2007-2008 child car seats. The components sampled include: seat cushion, foam backing, seat base, seat belt clip and sun shade (when available). The XRF device identified the elemental composition of each of these components. Based on these findings, each car seat was given an overall car seat rating, as well as chemical ratings for bromine, chlorine, lead and a group of substances referred to as "other chemicals".

Learn More:

Traffic Congestion: The Chemicals in Your Car

Don’t Breathe and Drive

Flame Retardants Inhaled in Cars

Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) levels in dust from previously owned automobiles at United States dealerships.

Posted by Austin Car Accident Lawyer on 03/11/2011 at 04:33 AM

Great tips to take care of one’s car. This post is really helpful since I have owned my first car and I didn’t know that it can emit chemicals. Now at least I’m aware and now I also know what to avid on the road. Thanks for the tips.

Posted by Bob on 10/08/2010 at 05:27 AM

I just bought a new car…thanks for the suggestions. I will try them.

Posted by F150 Parts on 08/09/2010 at 06:28 PM

We are going to the beach soon! I know she is going to need some snacks, but I was just wondering what are some healthy snacks that I can take along for the ride that won’t spoil easily, and will stay fresh…and the most important part is I would like them to be healthy! Thanks!

Posted by Pro Manuals on 07/01/2010 at 11:20 AM

Omg! i feel tierd already. Great article and advice. Will give the subaru a goin over this weekend. Thanks

Posted by Beautiful Russian Lady on 05/24/2010 at 12:17 PM

Janelle, thanks a lot. Great tips. I haven’t even thought that dust in car can be so dangerous.

Posted by Chan on 02/24/2010 at 06:26 PM

Dust, I hate dust! It starts building up within one week, great thing to do is use a Microfiber and a great cleaning spray by Mothers.

Posted by Charles on 01/08/2010 at 07:00 AM

I always try to keep my car clean, definitely interior. I vacuum it out twice a month, clean the leather seats once every month, and clean the dust off the dashboard just about every week. It’s amazing how fast dust can get caked on the dashboard. I really never thought about it being a risk till reading your post on this blog. I’m just glad I do it. Thank you and keep up the great posts!

Posted by konnoraiden on 08/27/2009 at 04:07 PM

Posted by SpareFoot on 06/15/2009 at 02:46 PM

These are great tips! Anyone who owns a car and needs to store or park it for a long period of time should follow all the above recommendations. Car storage can be a complicated process but after reading these tips, anyone preparing for a long period without their ride should properly clean their vehicle so there are no surprises at pick up time.

Posted by Joko Suyanto on 06/03/2009 at 03:53 AM

I use an air purifier that is operated when the car is turned on. It helps to absorb dusts and micro particles. There is no smell in my car and my allergic daughter suffers less from her allergies.

Posted by Ron on 05/17/2009 at 09:23 AM

Thanks, Janelle, nice recommendations.

Posted by auto body repair salt lake city on 05/05/2009 at 10:56 PM

Mark your calendars, motorists: April is National Car Care Month, and The Vinegar Institute has joined the Car Care Council to offer advice on how to make your vehicle sparkle and shine using the humble condiment.

Posted by car parts on 05/05/2009 at 03:52 PM

Wow, this makes my head spin. There is so much to think about! I guess you could go crazy thinking about all this stuff….

Posted by number plates on 04/22/2009 at 09:42 PM

Great information.People should consider this article and should do it properly.“Reality is only seen when the mirror is clean”.

Posted by Mary Hunt on 03/21/2009 at 08:08 PM

Nice timing for me to read this. I just finished an 823 mile road trip and the car needs a cleaning makeover.

Posted by mother earth aka karen hanrahan on 03/14/2009 at 02:31 PM

Point taken. It’s easy to forget how our cars need to be cleaned for more reasons than just appearance sake.

Posted by Mindful Momma on 03/14/2009 at 06:50 AM

Ooooh, you hit a nerve here. Cleaning my car is one of my least fav jobs to do. In fact, I usually leave it for my hub. It’s in serious need of a good scrubbing though - after way to many road trips already this year. Guess I’ll have to put it at the top of my to-do list. Thanks for the tips!

Posted by Diane MacEachern on 03/11/2009 at 06:38 AM

Great post. My favorite “out” is Keep it Out. Amen to that.

Posted by Donna on 02/25/2009 at 04:06 PM

This is excellent advice—and I can’t believe I’ve never thought of having a clean car from this perspective—the ideas are so easily applied. Thank you!

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