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How To Clean Your Vehicle For Coronavirus
At Jenkins Hyundai of Lithia Springs, we fully understand the concerns our customers have about exposure to COVID-19, or coronavirus. To reduce the risk of getting sick and spreading germs, people around Lithia Springs, GA, are wearing gloves, using hand sanitizer frequently and wiping down any items they purchase. What's important to remember, though, is that once these items are brought into your car, outside germs can be introduced and may contaminate your car's interior surfaces. 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.
01How Long Does Coronavirus Survive on Surfaces?
Cars contain a lot of different materials, so properly sanitizing its interior can seem challenging. From plastic to soft leather and metal, each surface may require its own set of tools to become properly disinfected. 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."
02What's the Best Way to Sanitize My Car's Interior?
To start sanitizing, first, wash your hands. Then put on a pair of disposable gloves if you have any. 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. If you have disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer to spare, it's a good idea to keep them in your car. You'll then be able to wipe it down more frequently.
03How to Disinfect Surfaces in My Car?
The most important areas of your Hyundai 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. Dampen the surface and scrub with dish soap for 20-30 seconds. Also, make sure you regularly wipe down your steering wheel and dash with a disinfecting product. You'll also want to address other high-touch areas in your car's interior when sanitizing. These 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
04Do I Need to Disinfect My Car's Exterior?
Due to weather elements and the sun, germs are less likely to live on your car's exterior. However, certain places like its door handles, handle buttons and gas cap all get touched frequently, and should thus be disinfected.
05Are There Disinfectants I Should Avoid Using in My Car?
If you want to avoid damaging your Hyundai model'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.
06How to Clean Leather Seats in My Car?
To clean your leather seats, first, spot test your leather cleaner in a hidden area to make sure it'll work. Once you start cleaning, use a microfiber cloth to avoid causing any scratches. If you don't have any leather cleaner available, you can create your own by mixing two parts vinegar with one part water. Then, if you can, apply a leather conditioner after cleaning.
