Whether or not you can leave laundry detergent in a hot car is ultimately a personal decision.
However it’s important to consider the potential risks and benefits of doing so before making a decision.
The safest option is to store your detergent in a cool dry place inside your home.
Doing so will help ensure that the detergent remains effective and is less vulnerable to pests.
Understanding the Potential Dangers
When it comes to leaving laundry detergent in a hot car the potential dangers are twofold.
First the heat of the car can cause the detergent to break down and become less effective.
And second the detergent could potentially release hazardous fumes that could make the car’s occupants sick.
The Risks of Extreme Temperature Changes
The first risk is that the extreme temperature changes within a closed car can cause the laundry detergent to break down.
This is because the extreme temperatures can cause the detergent to degrade leading to reduced effectiveness.
That said the amount of degradation that can occur depends on the type of detergent and the temperature.
For example liquid detergents tend to break down faster than powder detergents.
So if you’ve got liquid detergent in your car it stands to reason that it’ll be more susceptible to degradation than powder detergent.
The Risk of Chemical Fumes
The second risk is that chemicals from the detergent can be released into the air causing harmful fumes to be breathed in by the car’s occupants.
This is a particularly serious risk with certain types of detergents such as those that contain bleach or other harsh chemicals.
It’s important to note however that the amount of fumes released by the detergent depends on the type and concentration of the detergent.
Generally speaking detergents with a lower concentration of chemicals are less likely to release harmful fumes.
Deciding Whether or Not to Leave Detergent in a Hot Car
Given the potential risks if you’re thinking about leaving laundry detergent in a hot car it’s important to weigh the pros and cons.
On the one hand leaving detergent in the car can be convenient especially if you need to do laundry while on the go.
On the other hand it could potentially be dangerous if the detergent breaks down or releases hazardous fumes.
Ultimately the decision of whether or not to leave laundry detergent in a hot car is up to you.
Just be sure to consider the potential risks and take the necessary precautions to ensure your safety.