Soda Can Explosion in Cars
Leaving a can of soda in the car may seem like a harmless mistake, but it can lead to disastrous consequences. In this article, we will discuss the dangers of soda can explosions in cars and how to prevent them.
Why do soda cans explode in cars?
Soda cans explode in cars due to pressure that builds up inside the can. When a can of soda is exposed to high temperatures, it creates pressure that builds up inside the can. If that pressure becomes too great, the can will burst open, causing a sticky and potentially dangerous mess. According to the Discovery Channel, soda cans do not explode until temperatures reach around 300 degrees – hotter than any car would get. However, some sources suggest that a hot day can be enough to make a soda can explode in a car.
What are the risks of soda can explosions in cars?
The risks of soda can explosions in cars include a dangerous mess, property damage, and injury. If a can of soda explodes in a car, it will create a sticky mess that can be difficult to clean up. It can also damage the interior of the car, especially if it explodes while the car is in motion. Most concerning are the risks of injury. If the soda can explodes with enough force, it can cause shrapnel-like pieces of metal to fly through the air, potentially causing serious harm to anyone inside the car.
How to prevent soda can explosions in cars?
Preventing soda can explosions in cars is relatively simple. The best way to prevent soda can explosions in cars is by not leaving open containers of soda inside the car. If you must bring a can of soda with you in the car, make sure it is unopened and stored in a cool, shaded area of the car. Furthermore, do not store soda cans in the trunk of a car as the heat can build up rapidly and cause an explosion. It is also recommended to limit the amount of time that your car is parked in direct sunlight, especially during hot weather.
What to do if a soda can explodes in the car?
If a soda can does explode in the car, it is important to act quickly. Turn off the air conditioner and open all the windows to allow fresh air to circulate. If there are any soda particles on the dashboard or other surfaces, wipe them up immediately with a damp cloth. If you notice any shrapnel-like pieces of metal, be careful not to touch them as they may be hot and potentially dangerous. Clean any mess thoroughly to avoid damage to the car.
Preventing and Cleaning Soda Stains in Cars
Soda stains in cars can be tough to remove, especially if left untreated. From cloth upholstery to leather seats, different materials require different cleaning methods. Here are some effective ways to prevent and clean soda stains in your car:
Carpeting
For carpeting, mix dishwashing liquid, white vinegar, and water to rub and blot the stain. Use a bristle brush for stubborn stains, then wipe up the solution and dry the spot.
Leather/Vinyl Seats
To remove a soda stain from leather or vinyl seats, blot the stain with water. Then, gently brush it with toothpaste and a toothbrush. Blot away any excess toothpaste with a cloth.
Cloth Upholstery
To remove soda stains from cloth upholstery, start by spraying water on the stain. Dab it with a microfiber cloth, mix baking soda and water to create a solution, and spray it over the stain. Brush gently and dab with a cloth.
For cloth upholstered seats, mix together a paste of baking soda and water and brush it onto the stain with a toothbrush. Let the paste sit for half an hour before removing it with a cloth.
Regular Cleaning
Regular cleaning is necessary to prevent permanent stains from spills. Here are some tips to keep your car clean:
- Vacuum your car’s interior regularly to prevent dirt and debris from accumulating.
- Wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth on a weekly basis.
- Use a leather conditioner on leather seats to keep them looking supple.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when cleaning soda stains in your car:
- Avoid using bleach or ammonia-based cleaners, as they can damage the upholstery.
- Test any cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous area before using it on the entire stain.
- Blot the stain instead of rubbing it, to avoid spreading it further.
- Use a microfiber cloth to avoid leaving lint or scratches.
Cleaning Solutions for Different Types of Upholstery
Accidents happen, and sometimes they can be messy. The last thing you need is to have a soda explode in your car and leave an unsightly stain on your upholstery. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with some cleaning solutions for different types of upholstery.
Cleaning Carpeting:
Carpet stains can be tough, but with the right cleaning solution, you can remove them without too much fuss. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Dishwashing liquid
- White vinegar
- Water
- A bristle brush
- A cloth
Now, let’s get started:
- Mix together 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, and 2 cups of warm water.
- Use a bristle brush to rub and blot the stain. For stubborn stains, use a bristle brush to scrub the area gently.
- Wipe up the solution with a cloth, making sure to remove any excess moisture.
And that’s it, your carpet should be looking good as new!
Cleaning Leather/Vinyl Upholstery:
Cleaning leather or vinyl upholstery requires a gentle touch, but with the right tools, you can remove soda stains in no time. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Water
- Toothpaste
- A toothbrush
- A cloth
- Leather conditioner
Now, let’s get started:
- Begin by blotting the stain gently with water.
- Squeeze a pea-sized amount of toothpaste onto a toothbrush, and gently brush the stain. Be careful not to scrub too hard, as this can damage the upholstery.
- Blot away any excess toothpaste with a cloth.
- Dry the surface and apply a leather conditioner to restore the leather’s natural oils and shine.
And that’s it! Your leather or vinyl upholstery should be looking as good as new.
Cleaning Cloth Upholstery:
Removing soda stains from cloth upholstery can be challenging, but with our cleaning solution, you’ll be able to tackle them with ease. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Water
- Baking soda
- A toothbrush
- A microfiber cloth
- Dishwashing liquid
- Vinegar
Now, let’s get started:
- Spray the stain with water to dilute it.
- Dab the stain with a microfiber cloth to remove any excess moisture.
- Mix together a paste of baking soda and water and brush it onto the stain with a toothbrush.
- Let the paste sit for half an hour before removing it with a cloth.
- Mix together a solution of vinegar and dishwashing liquid and apply it to the stain.
- Brush the stain gently and dab it with a cloth to remove any excess moisture.
And that’s it! Your cloth upholstery should be free of soda stains and looking as good as new.
Immediate Action to Prevent Stains and Maintain Car Value
Spills are common occurrences in cars, and if not cleaned up immediately, they can cause stubborn, long-lasting stains on the upholstery. Taking immediate action to clean up a spilled soda can help prevent it from setting into the car’s fabric and minimize the risk of permanent damage. Here are some quick steps to take when a soda spills in your car:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Act quickly |
| 2 | Wet and dilute the stain with water |
| 3 | Blot the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel |
| 4 | Repeat the process until the stain is lifted |
Once the spill is cleaned up, it’s important to maintain the car’s resale value by keeping the upholstery in good condition. Spills that are not cleaned up immediately can lead to permanent stains and discoloration, reducing the car’s value. Therefore, it’s recommended to clean spills in a timely manner and have the car’s upholstery professionally cleaned periodically to maintain its appearance and value.
After a soda exploded in your car, cleaning the mess can be a daunting task, especially if it has soaked into the upholstery. The first step in cleaning up the mess is to test any cleaning solutions before applying them. This will help to avoid further damage to your car’s upholstery.
| Cleaning Solution | Test Spot | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner | Underneath the car’s seat | Apply the cleaner to a small area and wait for a few minutes. Blot with a white cloth to see if any color transfers. If there is no color transfer, you can proceed with cleaning the rest of the area. |
| Vinegar and Water Solution | A small inconspicuous area | Apply the solution to a small area and wait for a few minutes. Blot with a white cloth to see if any color transfers. If there is no color transfer, you can proceed with cleaning the rest of the area. |
| Club Soda | A small area of the upholstery | Apply the club soda to a small area and wait for a few minutes. Blot with a white cloth to see if any color transfers. If there is no color transfer, you can proceed with cleaning the rest of the area. |
It is important to note that the type of upholstery in your car will play a significant role in determining the best cleaning solution to use. If you are unsure about which solution to use, it is best to consult a professional.
Exploding Soda Can – Causes and Dangers
Have you ever left a can of soda in your car on a hot day and later found it exploded? You are not alone. Many people have experienced soda cans exploding in their cars, and it can be dangerous. Let’s take a closer look at the causes and dangers of exploding soda cans.
Leaving a bottle of soda in a car can cause it to explode due to high temperatures affecting the ingredients. As heat built up, it got hot enough to burst the top off of a Coke can inside a car. Air temperatures don’t have to get as high as 300 degrees, as Mythbusters found, to make a can of soda explode. A hot day can be enough to do the trick.
Tests by the Discovery Channel show that Mythbusters failed to make soda or aerosol cans explode until air temperatures reached about 300 degrees – hotter than any car would get. However, they only tested under controlled conditions, whereas a real-life scenario is much more unpredictable.
An Allentown woman emailed a tale of how an exploding soda made her worry her Geo Storm had been struck by gunfire ten years ago. Explosions from soda cans can be loud and scary, which can cause confusion and other dangers if people are unaware of what caused the explosion.
Soda cans can also explode if left in a car during severe cold weather, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office in Montana. The phenomenon is not caused directly by water expanding as it freezes, but by the pressure on an isolated pocket of CO2, LiveScience.com explained. YouTube has several videos of frozen soda can explosions. The explosion of a frozen soda can can be dangerous; one example occurred in China in August 2012, when a little boy suffered facial injuries from shrapnel.
| Causes of exploding soda cans | Dangers of exploding soda cans |
|---|---|
| High temperatures | Loud and scary explosions |
| Severe cold weather | Injury from shrapnel |
To prevent soda cans from exploding, it is best not to leave them in your car in extreme temperatures. If you must leave them, be sure to keep them in a cooler or insulated bag. Remember to keep an eye on them and never shake them up, as this can increase the chances of explosion.
Coca-Cola Australasia’s Warning and Responsibility
Michael Betts of Nambucca Heads, New South Wales is seeking almost $4,000 in compensation from Coca-Cola Australasia after a can of the beverage that his children had bought exploded in his car. The blast, which he claims was caused by the heat of the vehicle, caused damage to phones and other items and put his family at risk. Mr. Betts is hoping to raise awareness about the potential dangers of storing soft drinks in cars during the summer months, particularly in warmer climates like Australia.
Coca-Cola Australasia has made response to this incident and argues that all cans of soft drinks should be kept in a cool place and blames the incident on the can not being correctly stored. They claim that storing cans in areas with high heat, such as cars, can increase the risk of cans exploding.
Exploding Cans – Not Just Coca-Cola
Surprisingly, this alarming incident is not unique to Coca-Cola. Many other brands of soft drinks have experienced similar situations across the United States, ranging from Dr. Pepper to seltzer water, as well as various types of cola. Reports of exploding cans have been made from California to Maine, particularly during the summer months. These reports indicate that the issue is not limited to Coca-Cola and is linked to the temperature in which cans are stored.
Coca-Cola Australasia’s Response
Coca-Cola, like other drink manufacturers, warns against storing its products in environments with high temperature. In fact, the optimal temperature range for soft drink storage is between 20-25℃. Any temperature above this range puts the product at risk of expanding and eventually, the can can burst.
To raise awareness about this issue, Coca-Cola has also published a warning that is printed on its cans. This warning states: “Store in a cool, dry place. Keep refrigerated after opening”. This is consistent with industry advice regarding the storage of shelf-stable cans of drinks, which can include coke, beer, cider, energy drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages.
Prevention Is Key
If you are planning to store soft drink cans in your car during the warmer months, it is important that you take appropriate measures to prevent them from overheating. These measures could include keeping the cans in a cool bag or esky with ice, or keeping them out of direct sunlight while driving.
It’s important to note that this issue is not limited to just soda cans; other canned beverages, such as beer and energy drinks, can have the same issue if not stored correctly. It is always best to take the necessary precautions and prevent the cans from overheating to avoid any danger to yourself or others.
Lastly, Coca-Cola Australasia has reiterated that it is important for consumers to understand and follow the warning printed on the can to ensure safe storage and consumption of its products.
