The sterilization function of washing machines plays a key role in ensuring the cleanliness of vehicles and maintaining the health of the interior environment. The sterilization principles are mainly as follows.
The first is chemical sterilizer sterilization. The washing machine uses a specific spraying device to evenly spray chemical agents containing sterilization ingredients on the surface and interior of the car body. The active ingredients in these chemical agents, such as quaternary ammonium compounds, can destroy the cell membrane structure of bacteria and cause the leakage of intracellular substances, thereby inhibiting or killing bacteria. This method has a good killing effect on common pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
The second is high-temperature steam sterilization. Some washing machines are equipped with high-temperature steam generators, and the high-temperature steam generated can directly act on the car body and the corners that are difficult to clean in the car. High temperature can denature and coagulate the protein of bacteria, inactivate the enzyme, and then cause the death of bacteria. For example, when cleaning the gaps in car seats, air-conditioning outlets and other parts, high-temperature steam can penetrate deep into them and effectively remove hidden bacteria and microorganisms.
Ultraviolet sterilization is also an important means. The ultraviolet lamp installed inside the washing machine emits ultraviolet light during the car washing process. Ultraviolet light can penetrate the cell wall and cell membrane of bacteria, destroy the nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) structure inside, and prevent the reproduction and growth of bacteria. However, ultraviolet sterilization has certain limitations and may not be fully effective for blocked areas.
When evaluating the actual sterilization effect of washing machines, laboratory testing is a more accurate method. Professional institutions will evenly distribute known numbers and types of bacteria on the surface and interior material samples of the car in a simulated car washing environment, and then use the washing machine to clean according to the standard process. After cleaning, samples are collected and microbial detection techniques such as culture dishes and counting are used to calculate the sterilization rate to judge the sterilization ability of the washing machine.
Field testing is also indispensable. In the actual car washing site, select multiple vehicles with different usage conditions, and conduct bacterial sampling and testing on specific parts of the car before and after the car washing. Compare and analyze the changes in the number of bacteria before and after sterilization, and observe the removal effect of the washing machine on various bacteria in real scenarios, including the ability to deal with stubborn bacteria and newly contaminated bacteria that have accumulated in the car for a long time.
User feedback is also an important basis for evaluation. If car owners who use washing machines for a long time find that the odor in the car is reduced and the discomfort symptoms caused by bacterial infection in family members after riding are reduced, such as reduced respiratory allergic reactions, it can reflect the effectiveness of the sterilization function of the washing machine in actual application.
The sterilization function of the washing machine is realized through various principles, and its actual sterilization effect needs to be comprehensively evaluated from multiple aspects such as comprehensive laboratory testing, field testing and user feedback, so as to provide consumers with better quality and healthier car washing services.
