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Do you want to know how to clean your car or truck interior, including fabric and plastic, for the novel Coronavirus, without damaging the surfaces?
By this point, we’ve all heard that thorough hand-washing and disinfecting high-touch surfaces are two highly effective methods 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 all agree. Disinfecting and Cleaning saves lives.
This is especially true when you have a hunch that someone with the novel Coronavirus has traveled in your car. Cars and trucks possess many high-touch elements. Examples of these are the shifter, door handle, and steering wheel to name a sample few of the many. In this situation, immediate sanitation can make all the difference for stopping the virus. And if you habitually carry various passengers, cleaning these contact surfaces is crucial.
So how should one clean all those surfaces without damaging your vehicle?
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
First, some options should be avoided at all costs. Bleach and hydrogen peroxide, for example, can do a number to your car’s upholstery. Additionally, ammonia-based cleaners should be avoided. These can cause damage to your touch screens by removing anti-glare and anti-fingerprint coating. Furthermore, never use anything abrasive when cleaning a touchscreen device. This includes paper towels or tissues. Lastly, don’t treat all surfaces equally.
Most importantly, use gloves when disinfecting and cleaning a 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 suggests alcohol solutions of at least 70% alcohol is the most effective. Not only is alcohol effective against Covid-19, but it is surfaces of your vehicle. Just keep it away from the leather. Most leather has a protective layer, but unless you know the manufacturer’s specifications, it is much better off to be safe rather than sorry.
Another versatile option which works on most surfaces, including leather seats, is a basic mixture of soap and water. Just don’t scrub too fervently, or get the fabrics too wet.
Generally speaking, old cotton t-shirts and/or microfiber towels are a versatile all-surface solution that can be used just about anywhere.
Despite the fact that leather has been repeatedly mentioned above, it’s worth repeating. Avoid alcohol, ammonia-based cleaners, hydrogen peroxide, and bleach. Leather-specific disinfecting wipes are best, but applying soap and water with a damp cloth is likely to do the trick.
Of course, the strongest solution to stop community spread is to simply stay home and not share a vehicle. If you must share a car, however, drive a rental, get your car serviced, or transport others, then frequent disinfecting and cleaning is the most effective way to ensure the safety of yourself and others.
Certainly, if you are truly concerned, a professional detailing or cleaning is the most effective treatment. Contact our service department for a full list of detailing treatments and services currently on offer.
Ways to Clean a Car’s Interior During Coronavirus | Lexus Southwest Houston
