How to Clean Your Car for Coronavirus
Cleaning and Sanitizing Your Car
Tips on How to Clean Your Car
At Herb Chambers INFINITI of Westborough, we fully understand the concerns our clients have about exposure to COVID-19, or coronavirus. To reduce the risk of exposure to germs outside of their homes, many people in Westborough are now using hand sanitizer and sanitizing items they purchase during their errands. It’s easy to forget, though, that these items are touching the interior of your vehicle when you load them in. According to the World Health Organization, studies suggest that the coronavirus may live on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. That means that you should be sanitizing the interior of your car to kill any germs it may have collected on your last visit to the grocery store or pharmacy.
How Long Does the Coronavirus Survive on Surfaces?
Your INFINITI sedan or SUV is made up of a variety of different surfaces, including leather on the seats and metal interior accents. You’ll find that using serval tools when washing your car is required. According to the National Institutes of Health, the virus that causes COVID-19 is stable for up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to two to three days on plastic or stainless steel. Another study suggests that similar viruses can live on “inanimate surfaces like metal, glass or plastic for up to nine days.”
What’s the Best Way to Sanitize My Car’s Interior?
Always wash your hands before sanitizing your vehicle. And if you have them, it’s a good to idea to wear disposable gloves. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work well for sanitizing your vehicle. Just be sure to read the product’s label to make sure it’s safe for the surface you’re planning to use it on. Do you have extra disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer? Leave a package of wipes and a bottle of hand sanitizer in your vehicle at all times.
How to Disinfect Surfaces in My Car
The most important areas of your Toyota to keep clean are the dashboard and the steering wheel. Bacteria tends to collect in these spots, as air is cycled throughout the vehicle. To clean your dash, simply use soap and water. Dish soap works perfectly well for this application. Dampen the surface of what you want to clean, then scrub for 20-30 seconds. Make sure to focus on high-touch areas like your dashboard and steering wheel. Other high-touch surfaces can include:
- Door Handles
- Door Buttons
- Key Fob
- Steering Wheel
- Inside Door Buttons
- Seat Belts
- Gear Shifters
- Touchscreens
- Buttons on the Dash
- Buttons for Lights
- Buttons for Windshield Wipers
- Glove Compartment
Do I Need to Disinfect My Car’s Exterior?
Because of the sun and other weather elements that your vehicle is subjected to, it’s harder for germs to live on the outside of your INFINITI. This doesn’t mean you should skip over it when sanitizing, though. Make sure to clean areas your touch frequently, including door handles, handle buttons and the gas cap.
Are There Disinfectants I Should Avoid Using in My Car?
If you want to avoid damaging your INFINITI’s interior surfaces, don’t use bleach or hydrogen peroxide to disinfect. These can damage the vinyl and plastics in your cabin. You should also avoid any ammonia-based cleaning products used to clean glass, as they can break down the vinyl on the dashboard. Heat and light may then cause your dashboard to become sticky.
How to Clean Leather Seats in My Car
It’s important to spot test your leather cleaner on a hidden area to ensure it will work for the specific material on your seats. Always use a microfiber cloth when cleaning, as it will help to avoid scratching or scuffing the seats. And if you don’t have a leather cleaner, simply mix one part water with two parts vinegar to make your own DIY solution. If you have a leather conditioner, make sure to apply it after cleaning.
