Using Alcantara in a car can be harmful to your health

Alcantara is a textile material that is commonly used in cars, however, it has some drawbacks. Especially on parts such as the steering wheel and door handles, Alcantara can accumulate a large number of bacteria and viruses.

I can't say exactly when it started, but it seems like almost every sports car's interior these days has something covered in Alcantara. Someone somewhere must have decided that this is something that will delight enthusiasts.

What is alcantara?

Alcantara, if you don't know, is a brand of synthetic material similar to suede. It is widely used in technology, fashion and design industries. Particularly for car interiors, it is a good replacement for vinyl, fabric, etc. Many OEMs praise Alcantara for its excellent quality and at the same time its lightness, which is an important advantage when creating a lightweight high performance car, which also should not cause the driver has the feeling that he is sitting in a barn. 

Alcantara interior issues

Many drivers have started having problems with the amount of Alcantara in their cars. Such material can be wrapped around car seat inserts, gear selector, door handles, armrests and, most importantly, the steering wheel. Alcantara is a low-friction plush material that leather glides over fairly easily, so covering up a high-priority touchpoint like the steering wheel doesn't really make much sense. A steering wheel wrapped in leather (or even artificial leather) has much more grip and is therefore better suited to a sports car. 

Fabric that absorbs microparticles

In addition, Alcantara gets dirty too quickly. Humans are constantly shedding oils and fluids, as well as shedding microscopic skin cells. You are doing it right now as you read this. If you're sitting in your car, everything we throw away has to go somewhere. It goes all over the faux suede and really penetrates there. He is drowning 

Alcantara is very prone to absorb oils from hands and skin. When this happens, the tiny fibers that make up the smooth, velvety texture become tangled and begin to straighten out. Spots appear and the surface quickly begins to lose its original luster. The material can become so saturated with dirt and soot that the surface of the suede becomes greasy or oily.

Some benefits of Alcantara

But don't worry, it's not that Alcantara is a bad material, because it is. In fact, it is a lightweight leather alternative and is even flame retardant. It can now be argued that grabbing onto a black Alcantara steering wheel on a sunny 100-degree day is exponentially less painful than a black leather steering wheel. 

If automakers are to use Alcantara in cars, they must place it where no one will touch it. Align the roof and pillars of the car with it. Put it on the dashboard under the windshield to reduce glare. Put it in places where we can look but don't have to touch, that would be a good option.

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