The spread of coronavirus, or COVID-19, has imposed new challenges to meet in everyday life. Since this novel virus is highly contagious, one challenge requires that we keep contamination to a minimum. There are a few ways the virus might spread, including through droplets of moisture or through contact with a contaminated surface. While social distancing will limit the spread of the virus from person to person, keeping surfaces clean can help slow the spread as well. Since we spend a lot of our time inside vehicles, they can become a focal point for contamination. This means that learning how to disinfect your car properly may help stop the spread of coronavirus.
How to Disinfect Your Car to Slow the Spread of Coronavirus
- Clean frequently touched surfaces
Before cleaning your car, first consider which areas see the most physical contact. The steering wheel, gear shift, buttons and controls, console, door handles, seats and armrests are likely to be hotspots for germs. These areas should be routinely cleaned, especially in light of the recent outbreak of coronavirus. Giving these surfaces a basic cleaning with water and detergent will remove germs, viruses and dirt, reducing the chances of transmission. - Disinfect frequently touched surfaces
Disinfecting surfaces is different from cleaning them. Disinfecting involves using chemicals to kill the germs and viruses that may be present even after cleaning. For how to disinfect frequently touched surfaces, the CDC recommends using any of the following products:- Solutions containing at least 70% alcohol
- EPA-registered common household disinfectants
- Diluted household bleach solutions (However, bleach-based products are not recommended for use on automotive interiors.)
- Clear Up the Cabin Air
Coronavirus can linger in the air on droplets of moisture for a brief span of time. Tackling the air quality in your vehicle’s cabin can help reduce the chances of transmission. First, you will want to clean and disinfect the air vents in your car, since they will blow any dirt, germs or viruses present into the cabin space. You may want to also use a car sanitizer spray to disinfect those areas that are difficult to reach. Installing a HEPA filtration device or ultraviolet UV-C device can also eliminate 99.9% of airborne contaminates.
Contact Our Carmichael Auto Repair Shop to Learn More About Vehicle Maintenance
The spread of the coronavirus is already affecting many areas of everyday life. Adapting to these changes may require taking extra precautions when it comes to keeping your car clean. The outbreak may also affect the availability of auto parts and access to supply chains. For this reason, it is a good time to address any car repairs or maintenance services you’ve been holding off on. To get a jump start on these services, contact Silver Star Motors today at (916) 269-1522 or online here.
