How To Keep Your Car Sanitized
At The Ford Store Morgan Hill, we fully understand the concerns our customers have about exposure to COVID-19, or coronavirus. Many people in Morgan Hill, CA, are wearing gloves, frequently using hand sanitizer and sanitizing new items they purchase as they run errands to reduce the exposure of germs outside of their homes. However, what about the interior of your car? According to the World Health Organization, studies suggest that the coronavirus may live on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. That means that you should be sanitizing the interior of your car to kill any germs it may have collected on your last visit to the grocery store or pharmacy.
How Long Does the Coronavirus Survive on Surfaces?
As a car owner, you might notice that your vehicle's interior contains a variety of difference surfaces. From the plastic on the dash to soft leather seats, it might be a challenge in disinfecting your Ford. That's why you might need different tools for washing your car. According to the National Institutes of Health, the virus that causes COVID-19 is stable for up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to two to three days on plastic or stainless steel. Another study suggests that similar viruses can live on "inanimate surfaces like metal, glass or plastic for up to nine days."
What's the Best Way to Sanitize My Car's Interior?
Before you start anything, be sure to wash your hands. And if you have them, throw on a pair of disposable gloves. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work well for sanitizing your vehicle. Just be sure to read the product's label to make sure it's safe for the surface you're planning to use it on. It's also a good idea to keep a small bottle of hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes in your car if you have enough to spare, that way you can sanitize your car frequently.
How to Disinfect Surfaces in My Car
The most important areas of your Ford to keep clean are the dashboard and the steering wheel. Bacteria tend to collect in these spots, as air is cycled throughout the vehicle. To clean your dash, simply use soap and water. Dish soap works well, so all you need to do is dampen the surface and scrub for 20-30 seconds. Wipe your dash and steering wheel with a disinfecting product and focus on high-touch places within your car. These surfaces can include:
- Door Handles
- Door Buttons
- Key Fob
- Steering Wheel
- Inside Door Buttons
- Seat Belts
- Gear Shifters
- Touchscreens
- Buttons on the Dash
- Buttons for Lights
- Buttons for Windshield Wipers
- Glove Compartment
Do I Need to Disinfect My Car's Exterior?
It's less likely that germs will live on the outside of your vehicle since they are more affected by the sun and other weather elements. It's still a good idea to disinfect areas you touch frequently, though. Door handles, handle buttons and gas caps are good spots to keep in mind.
Are There Disinfectants I Should Avoid Using in My Car?
If you want to avoid damaging your Ford's interior surfaces, don't use bleach or hydrogen peroxide to disinfect. These can damage the vinyl and plastics in your cabin. You should also avoid any ammonia-based cleaning products used to clean glass, as they can break down the vinyl on the dashboard. Heat and light may then cause your dashboard to become sticky.
How to Clean Leather Seats in My Car
Before you get started, make sure to spot test leather cleaner on a hidden area to ensure it will work well for your seats. When you're applying leather cleaner, make sure to use a microfiber cloth to avoid scratching the leather. If you don't have leather cleaner on hand, mixing two parts vinegar with one part water works great as a solution. And if possible, apply leather conditioner after cleaning.