Everyone wants a clean car and there are literally hundreds of cleaning and conditioning products out there to make your job easier. But what if you want to clean your car and do it in an environmentally safe way? Well, that’s where things get complicated. Any manufacturer can put the words “environmentally friendly” or “green” on their packages. But there are no universal standards for what those words mean. Here are some tips on how to shop for cleaning products and use them in an environmentally friendly way.
Let’s read labels
All cleaners need some type of solvent to break the dirt loose. Some companies have reformulated their automotive cleaning products to get rid of petroleum-based solvents (mostly petroleum distillates). But quite a few older formulations remain. So before you plunk down your green cash on cleaning products, read the ingredients label. If the label lists petroleum distillates, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), alkyphenolethoxylates (APE), or nonphenolethoxolates (NPE), put it back on the shelf and shop for a “greener” product. Petroleum distillate-based solvents pollute the air and water. APE’s and NPE’s take an incredibly long time to degrade. Shop for cleaning products that contain plant based ingredients like coconut, palm, citrus, corn, and soy oils. Or, choose a polymer-based formula.
If the labeling isn’t clear about the product’s contents, visit the manufacturer’s web site and search for the product’s material safety data sheet (MSDS). Or enter the product name followed by MSDS into any Internet search engine.
Packaging affects the environment too. Many aerosol propellants are labeled “ozone friendly,” but they’re filled with flammable hydrocarbon based propellants that contribute to the greenhouse effect. So always choose a squeeze or pump spray bottle instead of an aerosol spray can.
While you’re reading labels try to find a product that’s “readily biodegradable,” instead of simply “biodegradable.” A readily biodegradable product must break down 60-70% within the first 28 days after introduction into the environment. And remember, it’s the cleaning product that breaks down in that time period, not the grease, oil, or other toxic substances you may be cleaning up. (More on that later)
Green cleaning the inside of Your Car
Now that you’re armed with environmentally friendly cleaning products, start the job at the top (headliner and visors) and work your way down to the carpet. Leave the dash and windows until the very end. Upholstery cleaners work well on the headliner, visors, door trim, and cloth seats. But don’t use those cleaners on leather seats or trim—they may cause damage. Instead, use cleaners specifically designed for leather and always apply a leather conditioner after cleaning.
Use an all-purpose or glass cleaner on plastic components and apply a vinyl protectant to the dash to reduce UV damage from the sun. Just make sure you buy a protectant that produces a matte finish. A shiny dashboard can reflect light onto the windshield and impair your vision in certain driving conditions. Also, be aware that vinyl protectant and tire dressing products that contain silicone actually attract dust and dirt. They make black rubber and plastic parts look new—but only for a short while. Since the silicone acts like a dust magnet, you’ll be cleaning more often and using more cleaning chemicals.
When it comes to carpets, your biggest challenge is removing road salt and de-icing chemicals. That’s hard to do with spray shampoo because it wets the chemicals and wicks them deeper into the carpet. So borrow or rent a carpet extraction machine and buy some eco-friendly carpet cleaner. Resist the temptation to boost the ratio of shampoo to water and don’t soak the carpet. That wastes shampoo, creates extra foam, and makes extraction more difficult. Make sure you pour the dirty water down the drain, not into the street.