How To Properly Clean and Disinfect Your Vehicle From Possible Deadly Viruses

Remember when we used to leave our homes? It may feel like we never leave our homes these days, but the truth is that most people are needing to drive with at least some regularity. Essential workers have been on the roads daily from the start of this strange season. Other drivers may have needed to take short trips for groceries or medications.

Now with regulations loosening and many regions like the Indianapolis area opening back up, there is more opportunity for people to be back on the roads. One space that still needs careful attention is your vehicle. Fortunately, there are several ways to keep your ride safe for yourself and all your passengers.

Personal Hygiene is Still the Best Defense

The best protection against contracting a virus like COVID-19 in your vehicle begins before you ever get in. Handwashing for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water is still the best defense. Make sure everyone washes up before and after riding in your vehicle.

The smartest time to clean and disinfect your vehicles is after you return home. This way you are prepared to make a quick getaway if necessary, without the delay of making sure your vehicle is safe.

Follow the Right Steps for Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Vehicle

The first step to cleaning and disinfecting your vehicle is protecting your hands with disposable gloves. Once the gloves are on, think through the parts of your car, truck, or van that you touch most often and the order in which you touch them. These surfaces include the key and key fob, door handles, seat belts, steering wheel, gear shifter, and radio or climate control knobs, among others.

Begin cleaning the interior of your vehicle with soap and water using a dampened microfiber cloth. After surfaces have been wiped down, you can then apply a disinfectant with at least a 70% alcohol content; which is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
 
The key to disinfecting effectively is to make sure the surface is wet following the application and allow it to dry on its own. If you wipe or spray a surface and it is dry immediately following application, it is less likely that the disinfectant will kill the germs.

Transporting Children in Your Vehicle Adds Another Layer

For mom and dad’s taxi service around busy areas like Bloomington, there are additional steps to take when trying to keep everyone safe. Along with handwashing, it’s a good idea to keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in your vehicle so that children can sanitize in and sanitize out. This step keeps them from tracking viruses into your ride in the first place. Experts say that hand sanitizers with a 60% alcohol content will do the trick.

Don’t Forget the Finishing Touches

To maintain the look and longevity of your vehicle, there are some extra steps to take. First of all, avoid the use of or abrasive cleaners and disinfectants. Solutions with bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and ammonia may be effective in killing the virus, but they can also do major damage to the surface of your vehicle’s interior.

Drivers who have leather upholstery should keep a bottle of conditioner handy and apply it to leather surfaces once the vehicle has been fully cleaned. This added touch will keep the leather from cracking and give it a nice sheen that could be dulled by disinfectants.

Dealerships around Indiana have been keeping vehicles safely on the road since the beginning of the pandemic. The professionals at Community Auto Group in Bloomington can answer any questions you may have about keeping your car or truck safe as you travel. You can use the online chat or call any of our locations to learn more.