You may have seen a lot of posts on social media lately about using olive oil to clean your car dashboard. But is this a good idea? Can olive oil damage your car’s interior? In this article, we will answer these questions and more. We will also discuss the pros and cons of using olive oil to clean your car’s dashboard.
The answer to the bigger question is in the affirmative. Indeed, you can use olive oil to clean your car’s dashboard. However, there are certain factors you need to take into consideration as it may not always be the best product to use for that purpose.
When it comes to cleaning your dashboard, the goal in the end, apart from making it look clean and attractive, is to help prevent fading and cracking. Therefore, regularly cleaning your dashboard will also help prevent or slow down the damage. Again, if stains on the dashboard are left unattended for a while, they may become difficult or impossible to clean in the future.
If you clean your dashboard frequently, it becomes an easier task whenever you decide to deep clean. Also, be sure to get to the small difficult-to-reach spots on your dashboard. Toothbrushes with soft bristles can help reach these problem areas.
Cons of using olive oil on dashboards
There are several benefits of using olive oil on your dashboard, here are some examples:
1. Olive oil restores shine
Generally, cleaning the dashboard with oils will restore shine while conditioning the surface of the dashboard. Aside from nourishing the dashboard surface, these natural oils loosen stains, grease, and grime. If you have a leather dashboard, it will also help keep it moisturized.
2. Olive oil is cost-effective
Using olive oil to clean your dashboard will save you a lot of money as it is quite inexpensive. You may even have some olive oil in your pantry or kitchen as it can also be used for cooking, among other things.
With just a few dollars you can already have a bottle of olive oil that can last you for months or even years. You don’t need to buy special cleaners that may be harsh on your dashboard and eventually damage it.
3. Olive oil is chemical-free
If you are concerned about the use of chemicals and even their effects on the environment, using olive oil to clean your dashboard may be a good option for you.
Olive oil is made from natural ingredients and is biodegradable. This means that it will not pollute the environment when you dispose of it.
On the other hand, some commercial cleaners may contain harmful chemicals that can be released into the air or water when used. These chemicals can be detrimental to your health and the environment.
4. Olive oil is gentle
Cleaning your dashboard with olive oil will not damage or scratch the surface. It can help preserve the material and make it last longer.
However, there are some dashboards made of sensitive materials that may be damaged by olive oil. Do a patch test first on a small area to see if your dashboard is compatible with this cleaning method.
5. Olive oil eliminates odor
Using olive oil on your dashboard can help get rid of stench which may have developed in your car or on your dashboard over time. Some of these smells may even be due to the use of some chemical cleaning products.
Consequently, using olive oil to clean your dashboard is good for your car, great on your pocket, and environmentally friendly.
Factors to consider before cleaning your dashboard with olive oil
There are several factors to consider before using olive oil to clean your car’s dashboard.
1. Type of olive oil
The first is the type of olive oil you use on your dashboard. Extra virgin olive oil is best for this purpose as it is less processed and has a higher quality. This type of olive oil makes your dashboard look shiny and new.
Using lower-quality olive oil can leave your dashboard looking greasy and may even damage it. It can also attract dust and dirt, which can make your dashboard look even worse.
2. Amount of olive oil used
The second factor to consider is the amount of olive oil you use on your dashboard. You only need a small amount of olive oil to clean your dashboard. Too much olive oil can damage your dashboard and make it difficult to clean in the future. If you are using a spray bottle, make sure to only use a small amount of olive oil.
3. Frequency of cleaning
Again, a factor to consider is the frequency of cleaning your dashboard with olive oil. You should only clean your dashboard with olive oil once or twice a month. If you clean it too often, it can damage your dashboard and make it difficult to clean in the future.
4. Cleaning cloth
Also, consider the type of cleaning cloth you use. A soft, lint-free cloth is best for this purpose because it will not damage your dashboard. Avoid using a rough cloth or paper towel as they can damage your dashboard and make it difficult to clean in the future.
5. The age of your car
Another factor to consider is the age of your car. If you have a newer car, it is best to avoid using olive oil on the dashboard as it may damage the finish because the dashboards in these cars are made with different materials such as plastic.
On the other hand, if you have an older car, it is best to use olive oil on the dashboard as it will help protect the dashboard from cracks and fading.
6. Color of interior
Also, you need to take into account the color of your car’s interior, if you have a white or light-colored interior and you use olive oil to clean your light-colored dashboard, it may leave behind a greasy residue that is difficult to remove.
However, if you have a dark-colored interior, olive oil will not leave behind any residue. It can help make your dashboard look shiny and new.
7. Personal preference
Last but not least, this is a personal preference. If you are someone who does not like the smell of olive oil, then it is best to avoid using it to clean your dashboard.
Some people also do not like the idea of using food products to clean their cars. If this is the case, then it is best to avoid using olive oil to clean your dashboard.
How to clean your dashboard with olive oil
Now that we have gone over the factors to consider before cleaning your dashboard with olive oil, let’s move on to the steps of how to clean your dashboard with olive oil.
1. Step one: Prep work
Be sure to clean any dust or debris from your dashboard before you use the appropriate cleaning product. For a desirable finished look, never apply a cleaning product on your dashboard without first using a dry cloth to clean the dust off of it.
Dusting the dashboard first will give you a “clean slate” to work on. It is also the best thing to do to avoid any scratches that may occur if the dirt is still on there while you apply the cleaning product. You can use a cloth, rag, or paper towel for dusting. Alternatively, you can use a vacuum cleaner.
2. Step two: Choose the right olive oil
As we mentioned before, it is important to choose the right type of olive oil for this task. Extra virgin olive oil is best for this purpose. Using anything other than extra virgin olive oil can damage your dashboard.
3. Step three: Do a spot check first
Personally, sometimes, when I buy a new skincare product, I try it out for a day or two on a small portion of an inconspicuous part of my body. This will let me know if I will react to the product or not.
The same applies here when considering using a cleaning product on your dashboard. You do not have to try it for two days though. Just apply the cleaning product to one of the corners of the dashboard and see if it does not leave any discoloration. Then, you can go ahead and apply the product to the entire dashboard.
4. Step four: Apply olive oil
Once you have chosen the right type of olive oil, it is time to apply it to your dashboard. The best way to do this is to pour a small amount of olive oil onto a soft, lint-free cloth because it will not damage your dashboard.
Then, rub the cloth onto your dashboard in a circular motion. Make sure to cover the entire dashboard.
5. Step five: Wipe off excess olive oil
After you have applied olive oil to your dashboard, it is important to wipe off any excess olive oil. The best way to do this is to use a clean, lint-free cloth.
Rub the cloth over the dashboard in a circular motion until all of the excess olive oil has been removed.
6. Step six: Enjoy your clean dashboard!
Now that you have followed all of the steps, you can sit back and enjoy your clean dashboard! If you have followed all of the steps correctly, your dashboard should be free of dirt, fingerprints, and smudges.
By following these tips you can keep your dashboard looking shiny and new for months to come!
Final Thought
To conclude, yes, you can use olive oil to clean your dashboard. However, there are a few things you should take into consideration before doing so.
such as the type of olive oil you use and how you apply it to your dashboard. If you follow these steps correctly, then you can enjoy a clean dashboard for months to come! Thanks for reading!
I hope this article was helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as possible!
