How to Clean Vinyl Steering-Wheel Covers

A vinyl steering-wheel cover makes your steering wheel warmer to the touch on cold mornings, and it makes it easier to get a firm grip on the wheel if your hands are wet or cold. A steering-wheel cover can also improve the look of your steering wheel, and can even be a reflection of your personality. In time, however, your vinyl wheel cover can become dirty and need cleaning. Fortunately, vinyl cleans well if you follow a few basic rules.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dish soap
• Water
• Bowl
• Clean rags
• Water-based vinyl protector

1. Mix 50 percent dish soap and 50 percent warm water in a small bowl. Dip a rag into the mixture and then wipe your vinyl steering-wheel cover. Re-wet your rag in the soap/water mixture, and wipe down the wheel cover a second time. If the wheel cover still seems sticky or dirty, wipe the soap solution vigorously around your steering wheel cover a third time.

2. Put clean, warm water in a bowl. Dip a clean rag in the water and vigorously wipe the soap/water mixture off of your steering wheel cover. Allow your wheel cover to dry.

3. Wipe your clean and dry vinyl steering-wheel cover with a water-based vinyl protector such as 303 Aerospace Protectant manufactured by Exceldetail of Thousand Oaks, California. A vinyl protector acts not only like a Scotch guard and prevents dirt from sticking to the wheel cover in the first place, but a good protectant also acts as a UV filter, preventing (or at least slowing) sun damage to your vinyl steering-wheel cover. Find water-based vinyl protectors in automotive stores, WalMart and other similar stores that have an automotive department.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use harsh chemicals on your vinyl cover. Simple dish soap and warm water will do the trick.