Your car or vehicle is a potential source of Coronavirus as it’s mostly exposed when you go outdoors. If not properly cleaned, your car could be a breeding ground of coronavirus and other bacteria and germs.
Here are some best practices to keep your vehicle as clean as possible, avoid the risk of Coronavirus contamination, and prevent yourself and your family from developing the COVID-19 disease.
- Use Disinfecting Wipes
Wipe your car interior with disinfecting wipes. If you don’t have disinfecting wipes, wipe it with tissue and a sanitizer. Focus on high-touch areas such as the steering wheel, gear stick, dashboards and door handles, as well as buttons.
After disinfecting, dispose of the tissue properly. Clean these high-touch areas as frequently as needed. Other high-touch surfaces include door handles, door latches, lock buttons, seat belts and buckles, window buttons, mirrors, radio and climate control buttons and more.
2. Sanitize your hands
Always keep a sanitizer handy when driving to the grocery or when buying essential items outside. Sanitize your hands before you step inside your car. Even when you wear gloves, remove them and sanitize your hands.
After you step out of the car and close the door handle, sanitize your hands as well.
3. Take extra care on the steering wheel
Did you know that the steering wheel has four times the amount of germs found on an average toilet seat?
Disinfect the steering wheel using disinfecting wipes to clean all the surfaces. Include controls or buttons for radio, voice control, cruise control, navigation, and paddle shift levers. The turn indicators and wiper should also be thoroughly cleaned.
4. Do not use bleach or hydrogen peroxide
Bleach is a strong chemical compound which can have an adverse effect on your car’s interior and even exterior surface. As much as possible, do not use these when disinfecting your car. It can damage vinyls and plastic coatings on your car.
5. Do not use ammonia-based cleaners
Similar to bleach, ammonia-based cleaners will break down the vinyl on your car’s dashboard. This makes it sticky when exposed to heat and sunlight. Do not use this for display screens in your car to avoid damage.
6. Hire a professional disinfecting company
Most professional disinfection companies offer car disinfection. They can either use a fogger infused with the disinfectant. Do not hesitate to ask for professional help especially when your health is at stake.
Though no amount of cleaning can guarantee you avoiding Coronavirus, following these steps to ensure your car and your environment are clean and safe will help you significantly reduce your chances of developing COVID-19.