With the spread of the Coronavirus, it’s crucial to protect yourself from any possible contaminants. One of the ways to do that is to keep the interior of your vehicle clean and sanitized.
If you’re not entirely sure how you should be cleaning the car’s interior, don’t worry! We’ve listed a few essential facts and tips you need to know to keep you and your vehicle protected during the pandemic.
When and Where You Should Be Cleaning
You’re likely not using your vehicle very often unless you need to drive for work or quick grocery runs. Regardless of how often you drive, you should still thoroughly sanitize your car after using it.
It’s essential to clean areas you frequently touch, such as the steering wheel. It may be dirtier than a public toilet – up to four times, in fact! Other vital spots you should focus on include handles, buttons, window controls, seat belts, and the dashboard and gear shift.
Don’t forget to give your car keys a quick clean, too!
Cleaning Products You Can Use
Depending on what you’re cleaning, you can use different products to sanitize your vehicle. The easiest thing to start with is regular soap and water. That’ll get most of the dirt and grime, and you can use it on almost any surface without damaging it.
Microfiber cloths are great for displays, and you should be able to launder any upholstery. To be safe, you can use Isopropyl Alcohol or any solution with 70% alcohol or more. It’s recommended by the CDC and is said to be effective against COVID.
If you’d like a safe way to sanitize your car thoroughly, you can clean it with steam! The Fortador website claims that it’s a great way to clean both the interior and the exterior of your car without damaging anything. (source: https://www.fortador-usa.com/)
Cleaning Products You Shouldn’t Use
While the right cleaning products can leave your vehicle safe and clean, using the wrong chemicals can permanently damage your interior. It’s essential to use the correct products to both sanitize and protect your car.
Some of the products you should avoid include undiluted bleach and hydrogen peroxide. Thinners, benzene, and other abrasive cleaning products can ruin your interior.
If you’re not sure which products to use, you can check which cleaning chemicals have been approved by the EPA.
Bonus: Don’t Let Your Car Sit Idle
With so many areas in lockdown, you’re likely not doing much driving. While that’s safe for you, it’s not as good for your car. Several risks come with leaving a car parked for long periods.
Some of these risks include letting your rubber components dry out or the car battery losing charge. Your tires can also get flat spots, and you’ll have to replace them.
To protect it, you should take a 20-minute drive at least once a week. That’ll keep the car working properly, prevent bugs from moving into your engine, and give you a break from the cabin fever.
Take Away
We need to take every precaution we can to stay safe during the Coronavirus pandemic. One of these essential precautions is keeping your vehicle clean and disinfected, protecting you from any contaminants.
Take care to focus on areas you touch frequently. Make sure you use the right cleaning supplies to sanitize the vehicle while protecting it from any damage.
The occasional drive needs to be included in a car-care routine, to keep its insides as healthy and maintained as the outside. Following these essential steps will keep you and your vehicle safe, clean, and working correctly.
