How to Disinfect Your Car to Protect Yourself Against COVID-19

Amid the coronavirus crisis and lockdown situation in the UK, we are advised to stay at home and only jump in our cars if we need to make an essential journey. To note, however, this is applicable to all who don’t need to leave their house to go to work. 

Either way, regardless of whether you need to drive your private car occasionally, you’re a key worker or your occupation has not been affected by the governmental business activity restrictions and you need to drive to do your job, keeping your car clean is crucial to avoid pathogen transmission.

The British Department for Transport’s COVID-19-guidance clearly states that folks engaged in the transport sector need to apply the following instructions, regarding cleaning and disinfection in non-healthcare settings. Those can be, of course, useful for anyone, who has to use their car and/or drives passengers before and after visiting places, be it a supermarket, a hospital or a public-sector establishment.

You see, personal protection, by washing your hands frequently, is not enough if you don’t take measures to disinfect your car, as well.

So, this post will help you learn how to clean and sanitise your vehicle properly, in order to improve your safety against infection and the spread of germs while on the road.

Read on if you:

• want to know what to use to disinfect different surfaces in your car.
• feel you need to do more to protect your fleet drivers.
• you are a taxi/Uber driver or own a private hire vehicle business.

Disinfect your vehicle to eliminate all viruses and bacteria 

Right then, before you get down to disinfecting your car in detail, give it first a general clean as you’d normally do. Don’t forget to wear appropriate clothing, a face mask and a pair of sturdy gloves. Vacuum thoroughly the interior of the vehicle and take out any mats and removable covers that you can wash separately. Then, give your car a good clean with soapy water on the outside, as well, and rinse.

What you need to sanitise your car against harmful germs

• Cloths and sponges
• Isopropyl-alcohol-based disinfectant
• Bleach-free sanitiser
• Hand wipes
• Mild soap and water

As your car surfaces are made from various materials, stick to the above list of supplies, because other types of disinfectants may cause damage to parts of your vehicle interior. Stuff like bleach, ammonia-based cleaners and hydrogen peroxide can easily have an adverse effect on the upholstery, or on any sensitive touch screens and dashboard parts.

How to disinfect your car interior amid the coronavirus crisis

Germ “hot” spots in your car are, of course, all the parts that you touch frequently or you use to control your vehicle on the road. So, start with those first and then move onto seating and other interior fittings.

Clean all car exterior high-touch fixtures

You may have washed your car on the outside with soap and water, as we’ve advised above. But it won’t hurt if you also disinfect the side-view mirrors and the windscreen wiper blades, as well as all the exterior door handles and the tailgate boot switch button. Apply an alcohol-based disinfectant to eliminate germs on these high-touch areas now and every time you need to use your car, especially if you’ve visited places and have been in contact with surfaces that many other people have touched. 

For extra protection, always keep a hand disinfectant in your vehicle so that you can quickly clean your hands while on the road.

If you are someone who is working in or from a vehicle, make sure to read the official government guidelines on how to work safely during the coronavirus pandemic and keep everyone, including yourself, safe.

Need professional help to disinfect your vehicle?

Are you a Uber driver who is on the frontline, helping NHS workers or delivering goods? Or do you manage a fleet of vehicles that are used now for providing essential services? Then, Fantastic Services can be of key help to you in these times of uncertainty and high health risk. We offer a professional Antiviral Vehicle Sanitisation Service, available in London, within the M25 zone. The disinfection product used is non-toxic and does not contain bleach. It is lab-tested for its efficacy against various harmful bacteria and viruses, including a number of coronavirus and flu strains.

We have been sanitising all types of commercial, public-utility and private vehicles with high-standard results. The technicians, who perform our car disinfection services, are specially trained and always wear quality PPE, such as overalls, goggles, gloves and face masks.

Contact us anytime for a personalised quote and boost your risk control efforts by ensuring that your car or fleet of vehicles are free of dangerous and disease-causing microorganisms 

Takeaways

• Disinfecting your vehicle against pathogens is of utmost importance amidst the coronavirus crisis.
• Certain disinfectants that contain ammonia, bleach or hydrogen peroxide may cause damage to your car interior.
• Stay safe and drive your car only if you need to make an essential journey!

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Are you a key worker or someone who must drive to do their job? If yes, what measures have you taken to keep your vehicle a safe place? Please, share with us in the comments below! 

Image source: Shutterstock / zoff