How To Clean Your Steering Wheel
How To Clean Your Steering Wheel. The steering wheel of your car is one of the most frequently touched parts of the vehicle. It is important to keep it clean to ensure good hygiene and prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. A clean steering wheel not only improves the appearance of your car but also enhances your driving experience by providing a better grip.
Leather Steering Wheel
Leather is often found in modern-day cars that are classified as luxury. They are usually made of a durable material such as leather and feature a comfortable grip. They are a bit higher maintenance than regular plastic because you do not want to ruin them. Applying too much pressure on your towel when cleaning or using a cleaning product that is stronger than what is intended can damage the material by drying it out.
Cleaning Steps
- Spray leather cleaner onto a proper leather cleaning brush
- Scrub without using excessive force
- Wipe away the excess leather cleaner
- Apply leather conditioner or UV protectant
Faux Leather Steering Wheel
For Faux Leather, avoid using soap or detergents that may stain the finish. The best way to clean is by using an interior detail spray.
Cleaning Steps
- To get started, spray Interior Detail directly onto your clean cloth. Do not apply directly on the surface or else you could end up covering your whole dashboard in the cleaner, which would make your whole process of cleaning take longer.
- Put your microfiber car cloth on the steering wheel and give it a gentle rub to clean the front, top, and back. You don’t need to be too gentle with cleaning plastic steering wheels. Make sure you clean the center of the steering wheel, where the logo is as well. If your steering wheel has buttons, please be careful by not getting the APC product in them and pushing any buttons, especially if the vehicle’s ignition is on.
- Ensure that all leftover residue is removed by using a second microfiber cloth and apply a final wipe to the steering wheel.
If your steering wheel is really dirty, you may need to spend some time scrubbing it with a scouring pad or brush. Remember to be careful and test in a small spot first. Using additional products on top of the surface of a car’s steering wheel is not recommended as they could potentially make the steering wheel increasingly slippery.
Plastic Steering Wheel
These are quite easy to clean. We recommend using an all-purpose cleaner in a spray bottle. If the surface is lightly dirty, you can also first try to clean with just a damp cloth.
Cleaning Steps
- To get started, spray cleaner directly onto your microfiber car cloth. Do not spray directly on the steering wheel or else you could end up covering your whole dashboard in the cleaner, which would make your whole process of cleaning take longer.
- Put your microfiber car cloth on the steering wheel and give it a gentle wipe around the wheel to clean the front, top, and back. You don’t need to be too gentle with cleaning plastic steering wheels. Make sure you clean the center of the steering wheel, where the vehicle logo is as well. If your steering wheel has buttons, please be careful by not getting the APC product in them and pushing any buttons when you wipe, especially if the vehicle ignition is on.
- Ensure that all leftover residue is removed by using a second microfiber cloth and apply a final wipe to the steering wheel.
If your steering wheel is really dirty, you may need to spend some time scrubbing it with a scouring pad or brush. Remember to be careful and test in a small spot first.
How Often Should You Clean Your Steering Wheel
We recommend cleaning the steering wheel regularly, ideally at least once a week, to remove accumulated dirt, oils, and grime. However, this frequency may vary based on individual usage and environmental factors. Cleaning a steering wheel prevents it from getting sticky. Having irreversible damage from debris or becoming a place for germs to grow. It doesn’t take very long and can improve the life of your steering wheel.
How can I remove scratches from a leather steering wheel?
The first step would be to rub the surface of the steering wheel with a soft microfiber cloth dipped in white vinegar. The reaction caused by the vinegar will help make the scratches swell, which is needed to cover them up thoroughly. Once the vinegar has had a chance to soak in and do its magic. It’s now time to apply some leather dye or leather filler. Using your fingers can help you get into every nook and cranny you can find until you can no longer see them. Lastly, buff out your steering wheel with a colorless shoe polish to help protect it against future scratches. It’s also best to allow the dye and conditioner to sit for a day to allow for proper absorption. If you can’t wait a full 24 hours, try to at least wait overnight before using your vehicle next.
