If you’ve been doing your best to keep your home sanitized to protect your family from the coronavirus pandemic, you might be overlooking a crucial part of your cleaning routine: your car. That’s right, just like your home, your car can be a breeding ground for the virus, especially if you use it to go out for essential errands. So, it’s time to learn how to sanitize your car without damaging its interior.
Your vehicle cleaning list
To determine what needs to be cleaned in your car, think about all the surfaces you touch regularly. Make sure to clean the following:
- Door handles (inside and out)
- The center console
- Turn signals
- Air vents and air conditioner/heater controls
- Radio buttons/knobs
- The buttons to control your windows and lock your doors
- Seat belts, including latches
- Gear shift
- Sun visors
- Voice control
- Cruise control
- Navigation
- Center armrest
- Cup holders
- Display screen
- “Grab” handles
Spend extra time on the steering wheel, as it can have four times the germs of a toilet seat, according to CarRentals.com. Vacuum your vehicle’s carpeting and change your cabin air filter, too, to get rid of as many germs as possible.
Cleaners to use
Avoid using bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or ammonia when cleaning your vehicle, as these can damage your interior, especially plastics and vinyl. Instead, opt for alcohol whenever possible, and check your owner’s manual to ensure it’s safe to use on touch screens.
If you can’t find alcohol for cleaning, soap and water is your next best bet.
Hand washing and other precautions
Keep a small bottle of hand sanitizer within easy reach so you can disinfect your hands both when entering and leaving your vehicle. Wash your hands as soon as you get home, leave your shoes outside, and change clothes right away to minimize the risk of bringing the virus into your home.
Now that you know how to clean your car, let’s look at some tips for staying safe during unavoidable errands.
Staying safe while running essential errands
When you venture outside for necessary tasks, like grocery shopping or picking up medication, take the following precautions to minimize the risk of infection:
- Wear a mask and disposable gloves, if possible.
- Maintain at least six feet of distance from others.
- Opt for contactless payment methods.
- Use hand sanitizer immediately after touching common surfaces, like door handles and shopping carts.
- Disinfect items you bring into your home, such as grocery bags and packages.
Resources for more information
If you want more information on how to protect yourself from the coronavirus, check out these resources from high authority health websites:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – How to Protect Yourself & Others
- World Health Organization (WHO) – Coronavirus Advice for the Public
By following these guidelines and regularly cleaning your vehicle, you can help minimize the risk of spreading the virus and protect yourself and your family during these challenging times.
