Numerous articles and conversations tackle the most effective ways to prevent ourselves and our families from getting infected with the coronavirus. Wearing masks, practicing physical distancing, and washing our hands often are the best ways we can keep ourselves healthy.
One thing, however, that we should also look into is sanitizing our personal vehicles – the ones which bring us to groceries, work, or essential places while we’re still under community quarantine.
As we all know, direct contact and transmission through droplets is the most common way of contracting Covid. Additionally, the virus is said to have the ability to survive on surfaces long enough for people to pick it up and bring it close to the nose and mouth – thus, the importance of wearing face masks to prevent an uninfected person from acquiring the virus.
Sometimes, we share our vehicles with our family members or other relatives or people. So, it is necessary that we take extra steps to ensure that our vehicles are clean and disinfected, treating those who use them as possible carriers of the virus.
Here are some things to do and consider when cleaning your cars:
Protect yourself
A rule of thumb is to assume that everyone who uses your car is possibly infectious. Therefore, to make sure you don’t contact the virus while disinfecting, prepare the necessary protective equipment you’ll need. Wear your face mask, use comfortable clothes that you should immediately wash after cleaning, and use gloves that would help you keep your hands away from infectious droplets.
Use the right cleaning materials
“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most effective products to kill the coronavirus are soap and water, and alcohol solutions that contain at least 70 percent isopropyl alcohol. These products are also safe for the interior of vehicles” (Healthline, 2021).
You should also use a soft cloth or a microfiber cloth to wipe the surfaces of the car’s interior, and dry them with another clean cloth.
Disinfect high-contact surfaces
Door handles, both interior and exterior, AC handles, steering wheel, trunk lid, mirrors, wiper and signal levers, hand brakes, and seatbelts are some of the high-touch areas of the car. Make sure to wipe them with the right cleaning materials.
After doing some intense cleaning to disinfect your vehicles, make sure to dispose of your masks and other disposable protective equipment. Also, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or better take a bath, and do some additional disinfecting with alcohol.
Keep safe, friends!
References
Figuerres, R. (2021). COVID-19 safety tips: How to decontaminate your car’s interior. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/3fSszhi
Healthline. (2021). How to Disinfect a Vehicle Interior Without Damaging Surfaces. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/disinfect-car Whited, J. (2020). Do’s and don’ts for disinfecting your vehicle. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/3wBA7eu