Leather Safe Disinfectant

So this is one of those concerns that until recently wasn't a concern. Thanks COVID! As a general rule, I'll use hand sanitizer when getting back in the truck or going through drive thrus. I have even used the hand sanitizer on all surfaces I touch. It has just occurred to me that using alcohol based items on leathered covered items is probably not a great idea, even if it is fake/coated leather.

So thoughts on what to use instead? Should I continue to use sanitizer and just treat the leather more often with a conditioner and/or protectant? I have heard soap is sufficient to kill the virus on its own, so maybe using wet wipes (made for wiping baby butts) instead would be sufficient.

 

I would guess no whether it be real or fake leather (Toyota isn't real). Leather cleaner is usually the mildest of cleaners and a good recommendation to use when looking for something very safe to clean with. The problem is even with the disinfecting or sanitizing wipes or solution you need to let that dwell for a really long time to sanitize. Look on the label, it's likely 10 minutes. It's 90 degrees here today, I bet it would take dozens of wipes of constant wiping just to keep the steering wheel wet for that amount of time.

Soap doesn't exactly kill Covid either, it just happens that this particular virus has a layer of fat as the shell so the soap really breaks it down. The soap and water just does a good job of flushing it off your skin. Anything sanitizer related is likely going to ruin the faux leather steering wheel or seats. Hell even 70% alcohol solution will heat up and start breaking down clear coat if you rub the paint well enough with it.

 

Gtechniq I2 Tri-Clean is a option. I don't know how it works against the Covid.

Steam is another option but have to be careful with leather.

 

Hand sanitizer is going to ruin your interior. Probably better off parking in the sun and let it do the work for you.