How to Clean a Steering Wheel | Step By Step Guide 2023

Regular car washes are crucial to keeping any vehicle in good condition, mainly if you reside in a location that experiences bitterly cold winters. While the exterior of a car is regularly washed by its owner to remove filth, dirt, and other contaminants, the interior is not always so fortunate.

The steering wheel is one of the most crucial components of your vehicle’s interior and should be cleaned frequently and thoroughly. This quick guide will provide you with all you need to know to clean any steering wheel.

Cleaning Items required

  • Cleaning solution (APC)
  • Water
  • Soft interior brush or toothbrush
  • Microfiber towels
  • Spray bottle

1. Leather steering wheel

source: Car Advice

Leather is frequently featured in luxury or high-specified vehicles today. They often have a comfortable grip and are fashioned of sturdy material like leather. Since you don’t want to damage them, they require much more upkeep than standard plastic.

When cleaning, using too much force or a cleaner that is more potent than necessary might dry up the towel’stowel’s substance and cause damage.

Steps for Cleaning

Step 1: Start by immediately spraying Interior Detail onto a clean cloth. Applying the cleaner straight to the surface may coat the entire dashboard, making the cleaning procedure take longer.

Step 2: Apply your microfiber car cloth to the steering wheel and gently rub the front, top, and rear to clean it. Cleaning plastic steering wheels does not require excessive caution. Be sure to wipe the logo as well as the middle of the steering wheel. If your steering wheel has buttons, please avoid placing the APC product in them and pressing any buttons, especially with the engine running.

Step 3: Apply a final wipe to the steering wheel after using a second microfiber towel to ensure all lingering residue is gone.

2. Plastic steering wheels

Source: Protect my car

Plastic steering wheels are really simple to clean. We advise using a spray bottle with our APC – All-Purpose Cleaner. You can also attempt to clean the surface with a damp towel if it is very filthy.

If your steering wheel is very grimy, you might need to spend some time using a scrub brush or pad to clean it. Keep in mind to be cautious and start by testing in a small area.

Steps for Cleaning

Step 1: Start by spraying APC onto your microfiber car cloth. Spraying the cleaner directly on the steering wheel could result in it coating the entire dashboard, which would prolong the cleaning procedure.

Step 2: Put your microfiber car cleaning cloth on the steering wheel and use it to gently wipe the front, top, and rear of the wheel. Take care to thoroughly clean the steering wheel’swheel’s center, which also houses the car scars insignia. Plastic steering wheels don’tdon’t need to be cleaned with extreme gentleness.

Please use caution if your steering wheel has buttons and avoid getting APC product in them or pressing any buttons when wiping, especially if the ignition is on.

Step 3: Use a second microfiber cloth to get rid of any leftover residue, and give the steering wheel one last wipe.

3. Synthetic Resin Steering Wheel

source: MotorVerso

It is a common misconception that steering wheels marked with “synthetic resin” are made of plastic. In reality, synthetic resin is a kind of plastic. The upkeep and cleaning of synthetic resin are fairly simple. It’sIt’s one of the simpler materials to clean for a steering wheel.

Steps for Cleaning

Step 1: Start by spraying APC onto your microfiber car cloth. Spraying the cleaner directly on the steering wheel could result in it coating the entire dashboard, which would prolong the cleaning procedure.

Step 2: Use your microfiber car cloth to gently wipe the front, top, and rear of the steering wheel after placing it on the cloth. You shouldn’t be overly delicate. Take care to thoroughly clean the steering wheel’s center, which also houses the car scars insignia. If your steering wheel contains buttons, use caution when using them and avoid pressing any of them while wiping, especially if the ignition is on.

Step 3: Apply a final wipe to the steering wheel after using a second cloth to make sure all lingering residue is gone.

4. Metallic Steering Wheel

Source: Shutterstock

Use a moist microfiber towel and some water to clean the metal. Use a dry microfiber to dry it after that. You can use an APC – All Purpose Cleaner if it is extremely dirty and needs more cleaning than water can provide. Metal polish can also be used to restore the sheen.

Steps for Cleaning

By water

Step 1: Wipe the surface with a microfiber towel that has been lightly wetted with water.

Step 2: Use a dry towel to remove any remaining moisture after cleaning.

Using All-Purpose Cleaner(APC)

Step 1: Spray APC immediately onto your microfiber car cloth to begin. If you spray the cleaner directly on the steering wheel, you may end up coating the entire dashboard, prolonging the cleaning process.

Step 2: Place your microfiber car towel on the steering wheel and use it to gently wipe the front, top, and rear of the wheel. Take care to thoroughly clean the steering wheel’s center, which also houses the car scars insignia. Metal steering wheels don’tdon’t need to be cleaned with extreme gentleness.

If your steering wheel contains buttons, use caution when using them and avoid pressing any of them while wiping, especially if the ignition is on.

Step 3: Apply a final wipe to the steering wheel after using a second microfiber towel to eliminate all remaining residue.

5. Wooden Steering Wheel

Source: Autohunter

Wooden steering wheels are primarily found in antique and vintage automobiles and are not very common. They are manufactured from a variety of woods, including walnut, mahogany, and maple. Please exercise caution while cleaning wood steering wheels; applying too much of any cleaning solution can cause the wood to break.

Steps for Cleaning

Step 1: If your steering wheel is made of natural wood, gently clean it with a dry cloth and shine it. Never clean it with soap, water, or any all-purpose cleansers.

Step 2: Apply a light rub to the steering wheel, and use a second towel to ensure all lingering residue is gone.

6. Alcantara Steering Wheels

Source: DSG-paddles

Alcantara is a synthetic textile created in the 1970s by a Japanese chemist and made by an Italian firm with the same name. Many of the same reasons that Alcantara is utilized in race car interiors also apply to road vehicles. On the seat and steering wheel, it offers greater traction than leather.

The secret to keeping Alcantara in good condition is to clean it frequently and prevent oils and grease from accumulating on the surface. Additionally, you must ensure that your hands are clean before driving a vehicle. If you are the type of person who eats burgers and fries in the car and then drives, you should not attempt this. This will inevitably result in the destruction of your steering wheel.

Steps for Cleaning

Step 1: Most of these Alcantara cleaners come in the shape of a mousse. Therefore, depending on your preference, apply the product directly to the Alcantara or the brush.

Using the brush, rub the steering wheel for 20–30 seconds.

Step 2: Use a microfiber cloth to lightly massage the wheel’s surface to remove any impurities from the surface.

Step 3: Use a soft brush to help Alcantara surfaces “stand up” once more after cleaning them.

7. Faux Leather Steering Wheel

Source: RoyalSteeringWheels

Synthetic leather, commonly called faux leather, is made from a fabric base like polyester. The fabric is then given an imitation leather finish and texture using wax, dye, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or polyurethane.

Due to the artificial nature of faux leather, it is far less expensive than genuine leather. Even while a faux-leather steering wheel doesn’t require as much TLC as genuine leather, it’s still important to exercise caution when cleaning it.

Steps for Cleaning

Step 1: Apply the cleaning solution to the brush directly, and while agitating it on the wheel’s surface, wait for the product to begin to bubble up.

Step 2: Utilize a microfiber towel to wipe away any extra product.

Spray some water on the surface if you discover it to be a little bit sticky afterward, and use a clean towel to wipe away any product residue. The steering wheel’s surface will then be left clean, non-sticky, and smooth.

Steering Wheel Cleaning Tips And Warnings

Tips

  • At the very least once every month, try to clean your steering wheel.
  •  Wear gloves while cleaning to protect your hands from chemicals and to prevent adding more body oil to the steering wheel.
  •  Utilize a cleaner made for the material of your steering wheel.

Warnings

  • Scrubbing your steering wheel gently will prevent scratches and color lifting.
  •  Just enough cleanser should be used to dampen the wheel without causing it to drip.

FAQs

Why It’s Important to Clean Your Steering Wheel?

The steering wheel in your car is used frequently and is vulnerable to the weather (sun damage especially). Therefore, Maintaining a clean steering wheel should be a constant routine. This aid in avoiding any accumulations of dirt or grime.

How do you get mold off of a steering wheel?

In some cases, removing mold from a steering wheel necessitates the use of hazardous chemicals that are inappropriate for your car scarred interior. To safeguard your respiratory system, ensure you are in a well-ventilated environment before beginning anything. Use gloves that will protect your skin if necessary.

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