Vehicle Cleaning Tips & Tricks for COVID-19
How long does Coronavirus last on surfaces? What cleaning products ARE and ARE NOT safe to use? What areas of my car do I need to clean? With concerns regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19), we wanted to take today to teach you the DOs and DON’Ts of properly cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing your vehicle.
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How Long Does Coronavirus Last on Surfaces?
It depends on the surface. Some examples include:
- Air – 3 Hours
- Copper – 4 Hours
- Cardboard – 24 Hours
- Plastic and Stainless Steel – 72 Hours
Most household disinfects can kill Coronavirus. However, some can create fumes that are toxic to you AND/OR can damage the interior of your car. So, let’s go over what IS and ISN’T safe to use.
Products You SHOULD Use to Disinfect Your Vehicle
Cleaning products that are safe to use include:
Alcohol-Based Cleaners
Disinfecting / Hand-Sanitizing / Makeup Remover Wipes
Soap and Water
NOTE: Make sure you’re careful about what type of cleaning product you’re using for certain parts of your car.
EXAMPLE: Alcohol-based cleaners would be perfect for wiping down hard plastic surfaces, but could damage your cloth or leather seating upholstery.
Therefore, make sure to check the label of any cleaning product before using it.
Products You SHOULD NOT Use to Disinfect Your Vehicle
Do not use any products that contain the following chemicals/materials:
Ammonia
Bleach
Hydrogen Peroxide
Products with these ingredients can eradicate/kill the presence of Coronavirus from surfaces. HOWEVER, they are also likely to damage your vehicle AND can put you at danger by creating toxic gas when mixed with other cleaning supplies.
Areas to Clean Inside a Vehicle
You should clean/sanitize what you touch in your vehicle. With that in mind, these are the areas inside a car that we would recommend for a deep clean:
- Adjustment Levers (Seats and Steering Wheel)
- Carpet and Mats
- Console Buttons/Dials
- Cup Holders
- Dashboard
- Doors and Handles (Inside and Out)
- Keys and Key Fobs
- Ignition Button/Slot
- Paddle Shifters
- Rearview Mirror
- Seats
- Seatbelts and Buckles
- Steering Wheel
- Transmission/Shift Knob
- Touchscreen
- Vents
If you can think of any other area of the car that you normally use/touch, we would also recommend cleaning that section/instrument as well.
Additionally, to keep your car as safe as can be, and as free of as many contaminants as possible, you should make sure to practice proper hygiene to reduce the number of germs that can enter your vehicle.
Palmen Fiat – COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Response and Services
For more vehicle tips and tricks, please continue to read our blog and contact our team here at the Palmen Fiat dealership in Kenosha, Wisconsin!
