Due to the rapid increase of the patients affected with coronavirus, most of the nations are under lockdown situation. A lockdown is only a proven and effective way to prevent the spreading of the coronavirus. In this crucial time, most of the people are spending their time in their homes; therefore, cleaning and sanitizing your surroundings is essential. Apart from our homes, most of us own a vehicle, and we must sanitize and disinfect the car during this pandemic period. It is rightly said that prevention is always better than cure. Hence we must take care of hygiene and cleanliness of our surroundings. Here are some of the steps you can follow to sanitize and disinfect your car.
Sanitize and disinfect the exterior surface
Start with cleaning the exterior of your vehicle. We recommend you wash your motor-vehicle with soap and water. It is beneficial in fighting harmful germs and viruses. You can also wipe the car on alternate days and wash it once a week. It will help to keep your vehicle clean and also saves water.
Start with vacuum cleaning
The interior of the vehicle is more prone to such harmful viruses. You should not neglect the cleaning and sanitization of the interior of your car. The inside of the motor-vehicle comes in direct contact with the passengers and hence prone to these viruses. The coronavirus can stay for long on different surfaces inside the car. Therefore regularly cleaning and sanitization is crucial.
You must start with vacuum cleaning and remove all the dry dirt and dust particles. You can also use a dry cloth or sanitization wipes to clean the surfaces.
Sanitize and disinfect all the touchpoints
After dry cleaning, we need to ensure that all the surfaces and touchpoints are germ-free. Use an isopropyl alcohol-based cleaner with a minimum 70% alcohol level. Spray the cleaner on all the surfaces and wipe it thoroughly. You can also use alcohol-based wipes that help to kill germs present on the surfaces. Such type of alcohol-based cleaners act as a disinfectant and are beneficial in such scenarios. Give special attention to all the critical areas like steering wheels, gear lever, AC vents, window knobs, door handles, and seat covers.
Start cleaning your car from the front and ensure sanitizing every corner inside the vehicle. Do not leave any floor mat, seat cover, headrests, armrest, and other such high touchpoint areas. Also, make sure to clean the boot space and additional storage points inside the car.
If by chance, you do not have an alcohol-based cleaning solution, you can use soap and water to clean the surfaces. It works fine and will ensure the killing of germs. We will not recommend any unnecessary expenses. Whatever cleaning material you have in your house, you can make use of it.
Precautions
The interior of the car is made up of different materials like fabrics, leather, vinyl plastics, and much more sensitive materials. Hence you must not use any concentrated chemicals to sanitize and disinfect your vehicle. Do not use hydrogen peroxide bleaches or ammonia-based solutions. These concentrated cleaner can harm the vinyl and plastics used in new modern cars. Do not use a glass cleaner as it contains hydrogen peroxide or some part of the ammonia solution. It can damage the window coating and other outer surfaces.
While sanitizing and disinfecting your car, make sure to put on your mask and gloves. Do not reuse these masks and gloves after one cleaning session. If you do not have a mask and gloves with you, use your handkerchief to cover your nose. Remember to wash and sanitize your hands after cleaning your car.