How to Clean and Disinfect your Cars in Corona Pandemic?

With the COVID-19 pandemic on the horizon, our cars have become our safe bubble as we venture out into the world. You thought you were done cleaning up after the coronavirus, but now you had to clean your automobile. But we also need to certify that it is virus-free. You already have the car interior cleaning products for disinfecting your car, and it is not too tricky.

Keeping your automobile clean is not particularly difficult. Soap acts as the most powerful anti-COVID-19 weapon. It is not necessary to be antibacterial; almost any home soap will suffice. Soap interacts with viruses in the same manner as it interacts with oils: it breaks them down. So, a simple soap scrape will kill any viruses in your automobile. Soap is unlikely to damage your interior surfaces in the manner that the cleansers do. Soap needs time to surround and degrade the virus. Wear disposable gloves while cleaning and disinfecting your car. You should pay close attention to the door handles, steering wheel, shifter, seatbelt buckles, and other surfaces you often contact.

What about the screen? You inquire. Your intuition is correct. It is not a promising idea to spray water all over your infotainment system or even the steering wheel. Both include electronics; bleach solutions are not a clever idea for interior textile materials. Various auto brands warn against using solvents or alcohol-based products on touchscreens. You can use a bleach-free wipe on a touchscreen on occasion.

But how do you go about it? And how frequently should you wash your car? Here is all you need to know about car exterior cleaning products and car interior cleaning products to disinfect the car during the corona pandemic.

Essential Coronavirus Facts

According to the World Health Organization, COVID-19 spreads by respiratory droplets after contact with an infected person or a contaminated surface.

A variety of factors like temperature and humidity determine the length of time a coronavirus may live on a contaminated surface.

The coronavirus can survive up to five days on glass and up to three days on plastic and stainless steel. Luckily, simple cleaning items like soap and disinfectants, along with a little arduous work, can help cut the virus’ spread.

What is the Difference between Cleaning and Disinfecting?

Although we use this terminology interchangeably, they are not synonymous.. Cleaning and disinfection are two related concepts since these two operations are performed together. Moreover, it is vital to understand the difference. These are the distinct categories into which your various cleaning and auto-detailing items will fall.

• Cleaning: The removal of filth, grime, markings, and so forth.
• Disinfecting: Killing all microorganisms.

Cleaning

Cleaning refers to the removal of loose debris and preparing surfaces for disinfection. Whereas disinfecting refers to the destruction of germs on the surface and preventing their spread.

Cleaning is a physical procedure that removes dirt and other solid particles from a surface: and prepares it for disinfection. Cleaning is often done using soap or detergents. These are known as surfactants and can influence how water behaves. When we add a surfactant, the surface tension of water decreases, allowing it to spread out and saturate the surface of the garments, dishes, countertops, and that we intend to clean.

Disinfecting

Disinfecting is the process of killing germs on a surface with a disinfectant. Germs are everywhere. This is because we encounter a considerable number of germs during our lives. Some of these microorganisms are beneficial, but others are dangerous and can cause sickness. Disinfectants are chemical agents that may destroy bacteria on surfaces.

What to Use during Cleaning?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most effective coronavirus-killing products are soap and water, as well as alcohol solutions containing at least 70% isopropyl alcohol. These products are also safe for automobile interiors.

Use screen wipes or a soft cloth wet with soap and water to clean and dry the screen. You may also cover electronics with a wipeable cover to make cleaning and disinfection easier and safer.

Soft Cloth or Microfiber Cloth

Microfiber cloths are excellent car cleaning clothes for cleaning touchscreen surfaces. It is not recommended to wipe your touchscreens with disinfectant wipes because the liquid can damage the mechanics. Yet, a microfiber towel is effective because it does not allow excess liquid to harm the touchscreen. All touchscreens in the automobile can be cleaned with a little disinfectant.

Microfiber towels are soft and will not scratch your surfaces. They collect dirt and dust. Paper towels or rags are more abrasive and may harm delicate surfaces such as plastic or paint.

Isopropyl Alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol should be at least 70% alcohol. On contact, alcohol breaks viral membranes and can kill coronaviruses.

What Not to Use?

Avoid using aggressive cleaners on infotainment and other touch screens. Although bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and ammonia-based products are excellent in killing coronaviruses, they can harm upholstery and leather. They can discolor textiles. They might also cause skin, and eye irritation, as well as burns. According to innovative studies, cleaning with bleach may result in indoor air pollution.

What Parts Must You Clean and Disinfect?

Start with the most frequently touched surfaces, such as the outside and inside door handles, steering wheel, gear shift, turn, wiper signal levers, buttons on your radio, climate control unit, seat upholstery, seat belts, mirrors, driver, passenger armrests, grab handles and seat change levers on both driver and passenger seats.

The inside of an automobile has high-touch surfaces. Here is a checklist to make sure you do not forget anything while cleaning and disinfecting your car:

Steering wheel

The CDC recommends cleaning any visible filth and debris from hard, non-porous surfaces like the steering wheel with soap and water first. Then apply a suitable disinfectant, such as one of the EPA-approved solutions, a diluted home bleach solution, or any alcohol solution that includes at least 70% alcohol.

Key and remote fob

While we are working on the automobile, do not forget about the key – a spot that collects all kinds of filth at the best of times. This, too, requires disinfection with an EPA-approved disinfectant. It is something you should perform after each usage of the automobile to be safe.

Exterior door handles, both sides

It is also vital to clean the exterior of your car, particularly the parts you touch frequently, such as door handles and the exterior of your boot. Also, do not forget to wipe your gas cap with car exterior accessories having 70% alcoholic disinfectant!

Trunk lid or lift gate grab areas

To clean the trunk lid, soak a microfiber cloth or soft cloth in 70% isopropyl alcohol or use alcohol-based wipes.

Soap and water are enough to destroy the virus’ outer covering, which is required for infection. This needs friction, so scrape the surface you are trying to clean thoroughly.

Interior door pulls, both sides, and interior door panels

Wipe off high-touch surfaces like door pulls using a microfiber cloth or soft cloth soaked in 70% isopropyl alcohol or with alcohol-based wipes.

Start button, if equipped

Isopropyl alcohol is by far the most effective anti-coronavirus remedy. It is safe to use on most automobile interiors like the start button.

Rear-view mirror, back, and edges

To clean the mirror, use screen wipes or a gentle cloth dampened with soap and water.

HVAC vents

HVAC unit is a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system. It transports a variety of illnesses and viruses. Check your owner’s manual for instructions; this might be difficult and should be done by a professional cleaner. If you are not sure, start by cleaning the air vents in the automobile. Use a moistened cloth to wipe between the slats of the vents. After cleaning, always wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.

Gear selector

Use a sanitizer containing at least 70% alcohol to clean the gear shift.

Turn signal lever

To clean the turn signals lever, use disinfectant wipes and a microfiber cloth.

Windshield wiper controls

Pay special attention to locations where dirt and bacteria might lurk, such as seams, and buttons used for anything from windshield wiper control to volume change. Wipe these spots with disinfectant.

Center stack knobs

Wipe down the knobs and buttons to cut filth and bacteria. To remove fingerprints and surface grime, use a microfiber cloth, followed by ammonia- and alcohol-free cleaning.

Center console and armrest

To disinfect the center console and armrests, use an isopropyl alcohol solution and a microfiber cloth.

Seat belt and buckle

Seat belts and clips are ignored during the cleaning procedure. Do not forget about the backseat and child seats if you have them.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol solutions containing at least 70% alcohol should be efficient at killing coronavirus.

Parking brake handle, parking brake, or release lever

According to the CDC, soap, and water, as well as alcohol solutions, are the best choices. For removing the coronavirus disinfecting wipes/sprays containing at least 70% isopropyl alcohol, are efficient.

Final Thoughts

Once you are done cleaning and disinfecting your car, you should wash your hands. Car interior accessories will help maintain your automobile clean and limit the possibility of COVID-19 entering your vehicle. Not only is it now a safer place to enjoy your automobile experiences, but it is also safe and clean. It is time to relax and enjoy the driving experience and/or ride!