While more attention is directed to cleaning and disinfecting these days, don’t forget about your car.
Keeping your car clean shows that as a car owner, you value and take good care not just of your vehicle but prioritize your health and the health and safety of your passengers, as well.
Here are some tips to keep your car clean and disinfected in just minutes per week.
Dirty Car Stats
Here are some stats according to a study by compare.com:
- Car owners with children have 60% more germs in their vehicles than car owners without children.
- Steering wheels of car owners without children were 96% dirtier than car owners with kids.
- Door handles and steering wheel areas were found to be the germiest spots.
After reading those germy statistics, let’s move right on to the cleaning section.
Effective Cleaners and Disinfectants
One of the few benefits of the COVID-19 experience was bringing awareness to the importance of healthier cleaning and disinfecting practices.
With all the germ-filled surfaces we come in contact with every day and according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), focusing on better cleaning and disinfecting practices helps keep all of us safer.
Because of the amount of time spent inside your car each day, it’s necessary to keep the car interior as clean as possible to support optimal health.
Based on CDC recommendations, start with an initial cleaning using good old-fashioned soap and water. Use a soft cleaning cloth dampened with soap and water to first wipe down all hard surfaces, especially those that are frequently touched.
After the soap and water cleaning, follow up with an alcohol-based spray or wipes to kill germs and disinfect.
Be careful when selecting a cleaner or disinfectant for your car because many of them contain harsh ingredients that could damage finishes, surfaces, or upholstery in your vehicle.
If unsure, check your owner’s manual or the vehicle manufacturer’s website for more specific information on safe, approved cleaning/disinfecting products.
Products to avoid are those containing abrasives, peroxide, ammonia or bleach. While vinegar does an excellent job of cleaning, it doesn’t kill the germs and bacteria to thoroughly disinfect your car.
Use antibacterial screen wipes on touch screens to clean these delicate areas and prevent damage to the anti-glare screen coatings.
Areas to Clean and Disinfect
Whether simply running errands, commuting to work or chauffeuring the kids, regularly clean and disinfect these areas:
- Dashboard and surrounding hard surfaces
- Glove box handle
- Steering wheel
- Rearview mirror (front, back, sides)
- Vents
- Temperature controls
- Radio controls
- Steering wheel levers (turn signals, windshield wipers, headlights)
- Gear shifter
- Emergency brake
- Center console, arm rest
- Cup holders, storage areas
- Trunk release
- Gas cap release
- Interior door panels
- All interior and exterior door handles
- Seat belt buckle, damp cloth soap and water cleaning of seat belts
- Key fobs and remotes
While cleaning and disinfecting your car, always wear rubber gloves and open the doors and windows for good ventilation.
Try to go as “hands free” as possible by using voice commands whenever possible.
Conclusion
Keeping your car interior clean and disinfected keeps you and your passengers healthy and safe.
Keeping your car exterior free from dents and damage also keeps you and your passengers safe. In Sonoma County, contact Downtown Autobody for expert repair and safe restoration of car body or frame damage.