Are you wondering how to clean your automobile interior for Coronavirus, without creating damage to the surfaces?
By this point, we’ve all heard that hand-washing and disinfecting high-touch surfaces are two effective ways to help stop the community spread of Coronavirus. Regarding this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the most respected health officials in the world are all agreed. Cleaning and Disinfecting saves lives.
This becomes even more important if you believe that someone with Coronavirus has been in contact with your car. Unfortunately, cars and trucks possess many frequently touched elements. Examples of these are the car’s shifter, steering wheel, and door handle to name a few. In such a situation, immediate sanitation can make all the difference in preventing the virus. Moreover, if you habitually carry passengers, cleaning these contact surfaces is crucial.
That said, how can you clean all those surfaces without doing damage?
Door Handles
Keys
Engine Start Button
Seat Belt
Seat Adjuster
Window Control
Mirror Adjuster
Gear Shift
Wheel
Signal Indicator
All Dashboard Controls
Armrests
Vents
Touchscreen
For starters, there are specific cleaners to be avoided at all costs. Both hydrogen peroxide and bleach, for example, can do a number to your upholstery. Additionally, any cleaners with an ammonia base should be avoided. These can cause damage to touch screens by removing anti-fingerprint and anti-glare coatings. Furthermore, don’t use anything abrasive when cleansing a touchscreen device, including paper towels or tissues. Lastly, use common sense. Don’t treat all surfaces equally.
Most importantly, use gloves when cleaning and disinfecting your car. The CDC suggests the following:
“Gloves and any other disposable PPE used for cleaning and disinfecting the vehicle should be removed and disposed of after cleaning; wash hands immediately after removal of gloves and PPE with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.”cdc.gov
The Centers for Disease Control recommends cleaning with alcohol-based solutions with at least 70% alcohol is the most effective. Alcohol doesn’t just protect against Coronavirus, but it’s surfaces of your vehicle. Just keep it away from any leather. Most leather has a protective layer, but unless you know the specifications, you are much better off to be safe than sorry.
Another versatile option which is effective on many surfaces, including your leather, is a simple mixture of soap and water. Just don’t scrub too hard, or get the interior fabrics too wet.
In general, old cotton t-shirts and/or microfiber towels are a great all-surface solution that can be used almost anywhere.
Notwithstanding that leather has been repeatedly mentioned above, it bears repeating again. Avoid hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, bleach, and ammonia-based cleaners. Leather-specific cleaning wipes are ideal, but a damp cloth with water and soap is likely to do the trick.
Ideally, the best solution to stop the spread of Covid-19 is to just stay home and not share your vehicle. If you must share a car, however, get service, drive a rental, or transport others, then frequent cleaning and disinfecting is the most effective way to keep yourself and others safe.
Of course, if you’re truly concerned, a professional cleaning will be the most effective treatment. Contact our service department for a full list of detailing treatments and services currently available.
Ways to Clean Your Automobile Interior For Covid-19 | Gallatin Honda