If you're the kind of person who spends a lot of time in your vehicle, and who isn't nowadays, you know that the interior areas can become a cesspool of bacteria and germs. Cracks and crevices are constantly overlooked with a basic wash service and these are the exact areas that host these bacterial microbes. Steam cleaning is a very effective method in disinfecting and sanitizing your vehicle with temperatures reaching up to 298 degrees. When we approach a full interior detail we not only steam clean the upholstery, carpets and mats; we also circulate steam through the ventilation system for several minutes to remove any build up of bacteria that can also cause bad odors. Although we never encourage smoking in your vehicle, steam cleaning can also be a great avenue for minimizing or removing the stench of cigarette smoke. Smoke smell can be very difficult or impossible to get rid of.
There are many benefits to having the interior of your vehicle steam cleaned.
1. Cabin Air Quality: Air quality can significantly improve with steam cleaning of the upholstery. A vehicle’s seats carpets and headliner can harbor dander, dust, pollen and allergens that are removed with pressured steam. We always recommend having your cabin air filter changed at least once a year (twice a year if odors are bad), to keep clean air circulating through the cabin. Of course, vehicle repair facilities can perform this service, but if you want to save a few bucks most cabin air filters can be changed yourself with the help of some online videos.
2. Odor Removal: Most odors can be remedied by means of steam cleaning. Headliners are notorious for harboring odors; just steaming this area can improve your cabin’s smell. Bundle that with steaming the ventilations system, seats, mats and carpets, and it usually does the trick. Real heavy odors such as dairy spills and long periods of smoke exposure may require the use of an ozone machine and hot water extraction.
3. Prolonged lifespan of interior components: Steam cleaning can remove debris that can be corrosive to fabric, vinyl and plastic components. Steering wheels are prime examples of this. Buildup on steering wheels can slowly deteriorate the vinyl material and is very apparent on some vehicles. Leather seats also benefit greatly from steam cleaning, just not too much of it. The trick is to have it done at least once a year in high traffic vehicles, or every other year on low use upholstery.
4. Kills bacteria and certain viruses: Pressurized steam can penetrate hard to reach areas of the upholstery to kill a variety of bacteria. Hospitals, care facilities and hotels have all moved to pressurized hot vapor, or steam as their method of disinfecting surfaces. Steam is also known to eliminate bed bugs and micro organisms.
5. Eco-Friendly method to clean and disinfect: Using steam minimizes the need for harsh cleaning chemicals. Removing stains typically requires substantial use of heavy cleaning chemicals, but when using steam, a simple all-purpose cleaner will suffice. What’s better for the environment is better for all of us!
