Many drivers like to keep their car clean on a regular basis. For most people, it is for aesthetic reasons, as they are embarrassed to be seen driving a dirty car. Not only is it nice to clean your car to make a good impression on others, but it is especially important to sanitize your car. This helps keep you and your passengers safe and healthy.
Sanitizing Helps Prevent the Spread of Germs and Viruses
The biggest reason for sanitizing your vehicle is to rid it of bacteria and viruses. These collect on the car’s exterior and interior surfaces and then spread to the vehicle’s passengers. Cleaning and sanitizing the surfaces help prevent their spread.
Although keeping the car sanitized should be a priority at any time of the year, it is especially important during cold and flu season, or in the event, there is a pandemic.Germs of all kinds, including viruses like COVID-19 and the flu, transmit easily from your hands and body. One way of keeping your vehicle free from microbes is to clean your hands regularly.
What to Use to Sanitize Your Vehicle
Many people are unsure as to what to use to keep their vehicle protected from germs. One thing to avoid is ammonia-based products. These can damage display screens, and they wear down vinyl, weakening it to light and heat. Bleach, which is effective against killing viruses, should also be avoided, as it damages the vinyl and plastic surfaces in vehicles.
Alcohol-based products work to clean the interior of a vehicle. In a pinch, water and soap work just fine. To get the job done, consider a vehicle disinfectant, such as PermaSafe. This microbial control system is EPA-approved and eliminates almost 100% of harmful microbes like viruses, bacteria, germs, mildew, mold, and fungi. It also eliminates odors and allergens from pet hair.
You may choose to use soapy water to clean the surfaces before applying a disinfectant. Removing dirt and grease from the surfaces makes it easier for the disinfectant to adhere. When you sanitize and clean your vehicle, use gloves. This prevents you from further spreading germs, while also protecting your hands.
Places to Make Sure You Sanitize
Just making a few swipes of the car’s upholstery, dash and instrument panel is not going to get rid of the germs in your vehicle. Certain areas of the car need special attention, as they collect more microbes than others. One of the dirtiest things in a vehicle is the steering wheel, as your hands are on it all the time, and it has numerous crevices and surfaces. Use a wipe to thoroughly disinfect all surfaces, including paddle-shift levers, radio controls, and cruise control.
Other places to pay special attention to while sanitizing include:
- Seat belts
- Start button and window switches
- Radio and GPS dials and buttons
- Car seats
- Cup holders
- Headrests and seat pockets
- Air vents
Do not forget about the door handles, either—clean all surfaces of the handles on the vehicle’s interior and exterior.
Contact Autohaus Automotive
When looking for vehicle disinfectants, such as PermaSafe, or other accessories, look no further than Autohaus Automotive. We can help you find what you need to keep you and your passengers safe. Contact us to find out all about their services.