How to Safely Clean and Protect the Steering Wheel in Your Car
Generally, the hands of a driver stay on the steering wheel of their car more than any other part of the vehicle. Therefore, it’s very important to clean the steering wheel thoroughly and keep it protected at all times. Your steering wheel can get dirty because of many reasons. To start with, the sweat, body oils, and even hand lotion can absorb in the car’s steering wheel making it dirty.
Let us take you through important steps to clean the steering wheel properly.
How to Safely Clean the Steering Wheel
You need to follow just two simple steps to clean the steering wheel and protect it.
Step 1
To start with, remove all the dirt particles and grime from the steering wheel’s surface. Add a little quantity (a dab preferably) of leather cleaner on a damp cotton cloth and wipe the steering wheel. Then gently wash it. To clean a leather steering wheel always remember to not rub the cleaner too hard, just gently bathe the leather.
Next, rinse off the cotton cloth you used for cleaning with a little bit of water and use it to wipe off the excess amount of cleaner (if any). You can also use a detailing brush to clean away the tiny pores that commonly get stuck on leather steering wheels.
Finally, proceed to dry the steering wheel. You can use a soft towel or microfiber cloth for the drying process.
Step 2
Next, work on protecting the steering wheel. Start by replenishing the oils in the leather this will keep the steering wheel a soft and durable feel. To replenish the oil you will need to use a steering wheel protectant. Please note that you need to select the protectant carefully – the wrong selection of steering wheel cleaning products will leave the steering wheel slippery. Driving with a slippery steering wheel is extremely dangerous.
Always try to use a high-quality leather conditioner. Take a little amount of leather conditioner in the palm of your hands and massage it in the steering wheel’s leather cover for a minute or two.
Let the oils in the conditioner get absorbed into the leather for around 30 minutes. Then, use a microfiber cloth to rub away the excess protectant.
Pro tip: You can use quick wipes for a quick clean. Keep a pack of wipes and a sanitizer in your car to quickly remove any dirt and debris visible on the steering wheel’s surface. Later on, you can use the cleaner and conditioner to clean and protect the steering wheel of your car.
Importance of Cleaning the Steering Wheel of Your Car
A steering wheel is that part of the car that is used most by a driver. Therefore, all car owners must get in a habit of cleaning their steering wheel regularly. This isn’t just applicable for leather steering wheels, cleaning all sorts of steering wheels (covered with plastic or cloth) must also be cleaned in a similar manner.
Steering wheels are also prone to sun damage, but cleaning and protecting the steering wheel prevents the chance of dirt building up. If you clean the steering wheel regularly, not only does the wheel look good it also makes up for great grip while driving.
That is all about cleaning the steering wheel of your car. Neglecting to keep the car’s steering wheel clean will fade it away and ultimately damage it. Moreover, driving a dirty car with an untidy steering wheel means getting yourself exposed to grime, bacteria, and dirt. Therefore, always clean the steering wheel and keep your car tidy. The steering wheel is part of your car’s interior, make sure you clean it thoroughly with effective interior cleaning products.
Stay healthy, keep your car clean, maintain it and drive safe. On a completely different note, if you’re looking for a car to buy, here is a list of used cars for sale in the UAE.
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