Hello Mustapha, I recently took my Mercedes ML to a car wash in Juba where the attendants removed the seats and used a hose to clean the entire interior. Since then, I have been experiencing electrical issues, and the car smells damp. What are the dangers of hosing the inside of a car, and what are safer alternatives for cleaning the interior?
Hello Caroline, your concerns are valid and unfortunately not uncommon among car owners in South Sudan. While interior cleaning is essential to maintaining your vehicle and preserving its value, hosing the inside with water especially using jet washers can lead to serious and costly problems.
Jet washing the interior can flood electronic control modules, especially those located beneath seats or under carpets. In modern vehicles like your Mercedes ML, important components such as electric seatbelt pretensioners, airbag modules or seat controls are installed in these vulnerable locations. When exposed to water, particularly soapy or pressurised water, these systems can corrode or short circuit, resulting in unpredictable electrical glitches.
Additionally, damp carpets that do not dry completely can breed mildew or harmful bacteria. This often leads to unpleasant odours and in some cases, respiratory irritation or infections for passengers. The warm and humid conditions common in Juba only make the problem worse.
Maintaining a clean car interior is important for both hygiene and visibility. Dirty windows can impair your vision and dust or food particles inside can attract vermin such as rodents or cockroaches, not to mention triggering allergies from pollen or other airborne irritants. Therefore, it is important to clean regularly, but safely.
Here is how to clean your car interior without risking damage:
| Task | Safe Method | Tools/Products to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Remove dust and dirt | Vacuum all surfaces with attachments | Home vacuum with hose kits |
| Clean upholstery and carpets | Use fabric or carpet cleaner with a soft brush | Foam spray cleaners, carpet brush |
| Deal with stubborn stains | Spot clean with tested solutions | Fabric cleaner or vinegar (test first) |
| Clean glass | Apply glass cleaner using a microfibre cloth | Automotive window spray, lint free cloth |
| Refresh dashboard and plastics | Use vinyl safe cleaner on a damp cloth | Dashboard wipes, soft brush for vents |
| Clean leather surfaces | Gently wipe with a leather-specific cleaner | Leather soap, cotton swabs |
| Remove odours | Apply baking soda overnight, vacuum the next day | Baking soda, dry cloth |
Always start by vacuuming from top to bottom, seats first, then carpets to avoid redistributing dirt. Change the vacuum attachments depending on whether you are cleaning fabric, vinyl, or leather. For steam cleaning, handheld fabric steamers are a safer option than soaking or spraying water directly onto the surfaces.
Avoid driving your car immediately after deep cleaning unless the carpet is completely dry. Moisture trapped under the floor mats or inside padding will not only smell foul but can also damage insulation and wiring.
In South Sudan’s climate, it is advisable to clean your car interior thoroughly every two weeks and opt for a detailed professional cleaning about twice a year.
Detailing services in Juba typically cost between SSP 92,000 to 230,000 ($20–$50) depending on the level of service. In comparison, replacing damaged electronic modules can cost upwards of SSP 2,300,000 ($500) for luxury vehicles like yours.
As a general rule, never allow high pressure water near sensitive parts of your vehicle, especially inside the cabin. Safe cleaning methods not only extend the life of your car but also protect your health and safety on South Sudan’s roads.