Home > Ozone for Car Desinfection
To understand what ozone treatment is, you first need to know how an ozone generator works. Ozone generators produce ozone by adding energy to oxygen molecules, which causes the oxygen atoms to part ways and temporarily recombine with other oxygen molecules. This gas is considered to be one of the moist effective sterilising agents, and is used in almost every area of life – industry, services, healthcare, automotive or private use. Its particles penetrate harmful cells of fungi, bacteria and viruses, destroying their genetic material. They successfully break down volatile compounds that cause allergies or have an unpleasant smell. Ozone can also be used to remove harmful paint or solvent fumes from the air.
It is worth carrying out routine ozone treatment of your air conditioning and car interior at least once a year. This way you will get rid of harmful mould, and the upholstery will regain its neutral smell.
Cleaning the air conditioning and disinfecting your car is a good way to keep your interior healthy. Such treatment will enhance the comfort of the driver and passengers, and you will no longer be exposed to the harmful effects of fungi or mites. The substances that secrete these microorganisms can cause allegic reactions and respiratory diseases.
When people buy a used car from a smoker, they often wonder how to get rid of the strong cigarette smell. An ozone generator is the answer. It should therefore come as no surprise that ozone generators are becoming increasingly common not only in auto detailing shops, but also in car dealerships. Thanks to some simple ozone treatment, customers will not be frightened off by the smell of cigarette smoke or a musty odour coming from the air conditioning. Ozone generators will also help you restore a fresh feel to cars previously driven by dog owners, where the smell of animal fur can be very difficult to get rid of.
Car ozone generators should be adapted to the size of the car they will be used in. A smaller device with lower efficiency will not be effective if you intend to use it in a bus, large van or lorry. On the other hand, a high-end car ozone generator equipped with a special air conditioning cleaning function will not be necessary if you have a small city car. In this case an ozone generator with an output around 1200 mg/h will be sufficient.
Regardless of whether you are looking for an ozone generator for private or commercial use, a universal device is always a good idea. A generator with an output of 4000-20000 mg/h will quickly disinfect any passenger car, but if necessary can also be used after renovation works at home or a flooded basement. It will also be suitable for disinfecting offices or other commercial facilities. As a general rule, the less efficient the generator, the longer the process should last.
If you have already chosen an ozone generator, then let’s have a look at how to use it to clean your car. In order for the process to be effective, it should last long enough for the ozone to fill all the nooks and crannies and react with harmful substances. The interior should also be properly sealed. In the case of a model with ozone pipes, they should be placed inside the car through a partially open window, which should then be sealed (e.g. with cardboard and tape).
Using a small, portable model is much simpler, as you just need to place it on the passenger seat. Ozone is heavier than air, so it’s a good idea to place it high up, for example on a box or plastic bucket. You will then need to turn on the air conditioning at the lowest possible temperature, setting the airflow towards the windows.
If you do not have access to an ozone generator, you can also clean the air conditioning using ozone spray. Spray the ozone directly into the ventilation grille.
Car ozone treatment – how long should it last? It all depends on how mouldy the air conditioning is, and also any other factors involved. For routine, preventive cleaning, 30 minutes should be enough. However, in case of more intensive smells, such as cigarette smoke or something rotten, the whole process can take up to 2 hours. It sometimes also has to be repeated after a few days.
But more does not always mean better. Ozone is a very aggressive oxidising agent, and it speeds up the aging of car interiors. Therefore, you should not overdo it, and try to avoid too frequent and prolonged ozone treatment. And if you have leather seats, it is better to cover them during the process.
After the treatment is finished, the vehicle should be aired for approx. 10-15 min.
