The coronavirus has raised awareness about health protection across many facets of everyday life. Although you may have driven less during the pandemic, it’s still important to disinfect your vehicle interior. Here are steps you can take to disinfect your vehicle to ensure safety for yourself and your passengers.
Materials for Disinfecting Your Vehicle
You need to make sure that the cleaning agents you use to disinfect your vehicle are appropriate since different materials require different treatments. It mainly comes down to the materials you’re cleaning and what works best without causing scratches or smudges.
Leather seats, for example, often contain protective coating. But both the coating and color can degrade if you use the wrong cleaning agent such as isopropyl alcohol, which otherwise works well for most other surfaces. Common interior components such as your steering wheel, dash, and console can be easily and safely cleaned with 70% or higher isopropyl alcohol.
Isopropyl is a safe disinfectant and can be used to clean most of your car’s interior. Not only does it remove stains, but it also kills viruses. For leather, however, the combination of soap and water is the safest solution to protect the material. Soap cleans surfaces and kills bacteria at the same time. It’s fine, though, to use isopropyl for synthetic leather.
If your seats are made of cloth, make sure you don’t use excessive water. Be aware that if water seeps into the underlying cushion, it can lead to mold, which itself is unhealthy. It can also cause an unpleasant odor.
As far as the choice of cloth, make sure it doesn’t have a rough texture; otherwise, it can cause scratches or discoloration on surfaces. It’s also important not to apply much pressure when scrubbing with a cloth, which can result in visual damages as well. Microfiber cloth is ideal for this type of cleaning project because it removes dirt and prevents scratches.
Disinfecting Your Vehicle Without Interior Damage
• Wear gloves
• Use a wet cloth or sponge with soap to gently wipe surfaces
• For most interior surfaces, apply isopropyl alcohol
• Repeat the process occasionally
It’s not necessary to disinfect your vehicle every day if you or your passengers are rarely ill. But if you have transported a person with COVID-19, you should disinfect the vehicle as soon as possible. You should further consult your doctor for additional steps.
Results of Interior Cleaning
By periodically disinfecting your vehicle, you will help kill whatever viruses or bacteria reside within it. Health experts believe the coronavirus can live in the air for up to three hours and even longer on surfaces. Whether your vehicle has been exposed to the virus or not, you’ll be more confident that you are helping prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Keep in mind your steering wheel is often what attracts the most dirt inside your vehicle, so it should be prioritized for cleaning. Any other interior surface that is constantly touched by human hands, such as handles and mirrors, should also be a top concern. Washing your hands before entering your vehicle is another meaningful safeguard.
If you decide to have someone else clean your vehicle, make sure it’s a professional who understands the basics mentioned here. Not all car washes, for example, hire top cleaning experts. Since the pandemic is very serious, make sure it’s someone who practices caution and care when it comes to cleaning specific materials.
During the pandemic or even afterward, it’s a wise idea to disinfect your vehicle without damaging its interior. Following the steps above will make your vehicle safer and cleaner. Do you have any questions about your insurance? Contact the experts at 01 Insurance for more information. We provide appropriate insurance solutions for your needs.