How to Clean Your Steering Wheel in 3 Easy Steps

Now that you know that your steering wheel is a cesspool of germs, you need to take steps to ensure its cleanliness, not only to maintain its looks, but also prevent it from becoming a source of illness. Check out four pro-approved tips on how to clean and maintain the steering wheel of your vehicle.

Step 1

First thing's first--wipe away any dirt and grime using a clean, damp cloth. Make sure not to soak the cloth too much, as you don't want water dripping into your steering wheel's gaps, especially if you have electronic buttons. For best results, use a microfiber cloth. Get to the gunk stuck in the gaps with a soft-bristled brush. Be gentle with brushing and wiping so you don't damage the surface of your steering wheel.

Step 2

Next thing you need to do is make your steering wheel shine. For this, you need to identify your steering material.

• If your steering wheel is made of hard plastic, synthetic resin or faux leather, then any interior cleaning product will suffice. Don't spray directly onto the steering wheel, as you may accidentally cause the chemicals to leak behind the plastic or hit the instrument cluster. Spray onto your cleaning cloth instead.
• For a natural wood steering wheel, apply a wood cleaning product such as lemon oil or orange oil. These will not only make the wheel cleaner and shinier, but also protect the wood grains. Leave the oil on for about 30 minutes
• If you have a genuine leather steering wheel, massage a dab of leather conditioner onto the material for a minute or so. Apply very thinly so you don't get any into the gaps. If you do, use a soft-bristle brush or vacuum cleaner to get it out. Let the conditioner soak into the leather for 30 minutes.

Step 3

Wipe the cleaning agent with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. Make sure to wipe until your steering wheel is dry and shiny.