If there was ever a time to pay extra attention to keeping everything as clean as possible, it’s now. So, how to thoroughly clean your car using household disinfectants during this coronavirus crisis? Let’s have a look.
Please read the complete guidance below before commencing your clean.
Here’s a list of things you need to clean your car:
For your own protection:
- A pair of disposable gloves,
- An apron (preferably disposable, but if you don’t have one, make sure you wash it afterwards);
- A mask to cover your mouth and nose;
- A pair of goggles to protect your eyes;
- A cleaning cloth (remember to wash it thoroughly after!).
Additionally, you’ll also need a broom or vacuum and a bottle of household disinfectant to clean your car.
A lot of cleaning products are in high demand right now, some are even completely sold out. However, not every disinfectant is made the same. For the global blog: Luckily, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a registered list of 300 products that can kill the coronavirus at the beginning of March. Choose a bleach-free product for cleaning your car, otherwise, you might damage the interior.
Another thing you should know is that the effectiveness of your household disinfectant doesn’t just depend on the percentages you see on the bottle or the ingredient list on the back – it’s also affected by the time it is left to work on the surface. Jason Tetro, a microbiologist and the author of The Germ Code advises leaving the product on a hard surface for at least one minute but preferably three minutes.
Pay attention to these areas, when cleaning your car
Driver area
- Power button;
- Odometer screen/dashboard;
- Indicators;
- Steering wheel (front and back!);
- Controls on the steering wheel;
- Gearstick.
Front of the car
- Passenger and central ventilation;
- Heating controls;
- Infotainment/radio controls and screen;
- The inner area under the windscreen;
- Glove-box;
- Storage areas;
- Cupholders.
Seats, doors and lights
- All seats and headrests;
- Seatbelts and buckles;
- Controls for the seat and the headrest;
- Door handles, locks, pockets and window controls;
- Grab handles and interior lights.
Boot
- Boot opener;
- Any buttons and handles in the boot;
- Shelves, nets and organisers.
6 steps to clean your car
- Before you start, open the doors and let the air flow through. Meanwhile, put your protective gear on (gloves, mask, apron, goggles) and remove all the rubbish and items you don’t need any more from your car.
- To thoroughly clean your car, make sure you also remove the floor mats and vacuum them.
- While your car is still airing, sweep and clean the seats and floors.
- Moisten the cleaning cloth with the household disinfectant and start wiping. You’ll find the list of areas that need your attention above. Take it as a checklist. Remember to let the disinfectant do its work, as well, otherwise, it won’t do the trick!
- After everything is thoroughly cleaned, put back the floor mats and close the doors.
- Make sure you throw away the disposable protective gear and wash the things you plan to use again in the future!
If you have a steam cleaner and are wondering about its effectiveness for cleaning your car, then we suggest you partner it up with the household disinfectant or some soap. Don’t rely on steaming alone, as coronaviruses are enveloped viruses, meaning they have a protective membrane of fat. That fat is sensitive to detergent, which is why the soap is a good partner to the steam.
Don’t forget yourself!
Every little helps and it’s very important to ensure your car is as clean as possible, it’s important that you don’t forget yourself. Exactly like you clean your car, take care of your hygiene and well-being by washing your hands and staying at home as much as possible. You can find the latest COVID-19 pandemic updates from the World Health Organization’s website. For more local updates visit; Ghana Health Service.
Stay safe!
Please note that the above is guidance only and does not represent medical or scientific advice. We cannot accept any liability for illness or injury or damage to your car as a result of following the above guidance. We also cannot accept any liability should you follow the above guidance and then become ill from coronavirus/other illness. You are not obliged to complete the steps set out above, it is a guide only.
