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Car Hygiene Tips for Coronavirus

tips for car hygiene for coronavirusThe COVID-19 virus, commonly known as Coronavirus has become a global pandemic leading the virus to spread rapidly worldwide. Sanitising surfaces and washing our hands is so important in the fight against COVID-19. One area some people may overlook is their car. The interior of vehicles generally contain different kinds of surfaces and materials which include plastic, glass, metal, and rubber. The Coronavirus can survive on surfaces like plastic and metal for almost 3 days so those who may travel to work and use their vehicle are at risk of spreading the virus to loved ones. It has never been more crucial to clean your vehicle in keeping yourself safe and those around you. Think about how many areas of your car you would touch daily, the door handles inside and out, the steering wheel, control buttons, etc. All these areas are touched every time you drive your vehicle. Since the interiors in most cars are different, it is important to use the right products and techniques to disinfect your vehicle properly. Here are some helpful car hygiene tips to help combat the spread of the Coronavirus.

Wipe down your vehicle

You need to wipe down the interior of your car regularly, preferably with disinfectant wipes. Wipe down all the main surfaces, these include the steering wheel, the door handles inside and outside, commonly used buttons, and touch screen pads. Disinfect all areas before and after on your journey and more so if you are travelling with someone or giving someone a lift. A 70% alcohol disinfectant should be adequate. It is a good idea to use the same cleaning solution to wipe down the seats, armrests, the boot, and the exterior of the car.

Do not use any type of hydrogen peroxide or bleach as this will damage the interior of your vehicle. If you do not have any alcohol disinfectant wipes, then use soap and water instead, leave the soap for 20 seconds then wipe away.

Wear gloves when refueling your car

When refuelling your vehicle consider wearing gloves to avoid contamination from other vehicle drivers. It would be advisable to fill up your tank fully to reduce the number of visits you make to the petrol station. When making a payment, it is recommended that we use contactless payment. Carry hand sanitizer in your car to disinfect your hands afterwards. Some petrol stations will have free disposable gloves that you can wear while filling up your vehicle.

Hoover your car

It is essential to hoover your floor mats and all around the inside of the vehicle as this is likely to carry bacteria and dirt which can prove to be problematic unless it is cleaned regularly.

Have your air conditioning checked

It is known that viruses can propagate through air conditioning systems, and filters fitted to such systems are not necessarily capable of catching things that are as small as viruses. Purchase a cleaning kit that you simply spray through the car's interior air vents. Get your air conditioning checked and have your air filters cleaned out to reduce the growth of bacteria, mould, and fungi, this will also help to reduce odours.

Clean your car keys regularly

Your hands touch your car keys on a regular basis so it is important to give them a wipe down before and after you use them. Nobody else should handle your keys.

Do not sneeze or cough into your hands

It is recommended that you sneeze or cough into a tissue or your elbow to help stop the spread of Covid-19 which could potentially infect other passengers in the car with the virus.

Wash your hands as often as you can

This cannot be said enough, please wash your hands regularly! Even after cleaning your vehicle, you should wash your hands thoroughly to ensure that you don’t put any germs back into the car again.

Essential items to carry in your car

  • Hand sanitizer
  • Antibacterial wipes
  • Tissues
  • Disposable gloves

These helpful tips for cleaning your car will help to keep your vehicle free from the Coronavirus during this crisis. No amount of cleaning can 100% prevent you from contracting coronavirus, however, with these hygiene tips, they will help to minimise the risk of spreading the infection to yourself and those travelling with you. Another added bonus to this, is a sparkling clean vehicle!