The world is suffering from the global pandemic called COVID-19 and the virus that causes it, the SARS-CoV-2 (official name og the novel coronavirus). It has infected about 828,305 people around the world, out of which 40,735 have died. The rapid increase in infections leave everyone asking about the best way to minimise the risk of contracting the virus.
America's Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised people to wash their hands regularly and clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces that may contain the virus. A lot of information on personal hygiene is available, but there is little to no information about how to stop spreading the virus in public transport or your vehicle.
Your cars not only carry you but also carry dust, grime, bacteria, and various kinds of viruses. Therefore, it is mandatory to sanitise your car before every ride to save your family from the dreaded disease. Before we tell you the ways to sanitise your car, you need to have a clear picture about how the disease spreads.
How Is the Coronavirus Transmitted?
Medical research conducted on this disease so far proves that small droplets from the mouth and nose can be transmitted person to person. It means that when an infected person coughs and exhales, the droplets fall and land on nearby objects and surfaces and stay there for some time.
A person gets infected after he touches those infected objects and surfaces and then touches his eyes, nose, ears, and mouth. The disease also transmits when a COVID-19 patient sneezes or coughs, and someone nearby inhales the infected air.
How the Coronavirus Spreads in Cars
Your vehicles may become the biggest carriers of the Sars-CoV-2 due to the various kinds of surfaces that could house the virus. Usually, the interior of cars consists of metal, rubber, plastic, and leather surfaces on which the virus can remain alive for considerably more extended periods.
Similarly, sitting in a car means you are sharing the air space with the other persons in the vehicle. Sharing air space with an infected person means you are sharing infection. Touching contaminated surfaces inside your car may likely infect you because the virus remains alive on these surfaces for 7-9 days. Therefore, sanitising your vehicles is mandatory to save your family.
Sanitising Your Car
As of today, there is no vaccine or cure for COVID-19 infection. However, it is possible to kill the virus and disinfect the surfaces. The adage ‘Prevention Is Better Than Cure’ can never ring truer than our situation today. Therefore, it is necessary to keep your car clean and safe during this outbreak.
You need to have a proper disinfectant to clean your vehicle. You can also use household disinfectants. However, keep in mind that not all disinfectants are ideal for all surfaces. Therefore, we recommend buying sanitisers that are car-specific. You may get them from registered car supplies dealer, and you may locate reliable sellers of auto supplies and accessories from the Carpart.com.au platform.
This is the proper way to disinfect your car.
1-Regular vacuuming
Cars attract and collect dust and grime, which make your car a haven for moulds, bacteria, and viruses, including the coronavirus. Therefore, we recommend regular cleaning of the vehicle to minimise the chance of infection. Carpets, floor mats, pedals, levers, and cargo space in your cars need regular vacuuming. It is even better to scrub and clean the removable parts, like mats and fabric seats. Deep clean them by soaking in soapy water, brushing and washing thoroughly, and drying them under the sun.
You may also use leather cleaners and upholstery shampoo to deep clean various places. Always wipe down the door locks, centre console, and instrument cluster.
2-Do Not Neglect Any Area
There are many areas in your car that remain unnoticed while disinfecting. Although you do not touch these parts frequently, yet you come in contact with these parts and dropletes could land on their surfaces. These are the grey parts that include the headliner, window glasses, handbrake levers, and headrests. Exterior door handles are also often missed when cleaning, yet they are some of the most-touched parts of a car.
3-Disinfect High Touch Surfaces
While driving, you touch many interior surfaces of the car. Always make sure to clean these high-touch surfaces. You may use branded auto cleaners or make ammonia-based solutions by yourself. The experts recommend using a diluted solution to prevent damages to plastic surfaces and touchscreen glasses. It is even better to apply the solution on a cloth, which you will then use to wipe down knobs, switches, buttons, screens, and other such parts.
4-Deep Clean HVAC Unit
The HVAC unit of your car may also cause infection because it circulates the air in the vehicle cabin. To ensure disinfection, you should deep clean the HVAC unit right down to the air filter. Remove and clean the cabin filter with the help of some spray before refixing it. Many aerosol-based car AC disinfectants are available in the market.
You can also take your vehicle to a professional and request for ozone treatment to kill viruses and bacteria. If you take your car to a professional, do not forget to get interiors steam clean. A great option at this time would be to contact mobile auto cleaners. Search for them through our Directory at Carpart.com.au by simply typing ‘mobile auto,’ and our search tool will show you various choices.
5-Disinfect Gadgets and Children's Toys
If you need to travel with family, sanitising the gadgets and children's toys is also necessary. Scrub and clean those areas that often come in contact with children. Disinfect the toys, games, and tablets because your children will use these gadgets during the journey. We recommend taking a first-aid medical kit with you. Make sure it contains gloves, masks, wet wipes, and sanitisers.
Still, the best thing for you and your family would be to stay at home and limit exposure to what lurks outside. Commit to follow social distancing measures, observe proper hygiene, and boost your immune system to its healthiest.