2020 did not start out the way we all expected. The world has been faced with one of the most challenging and demanding situations with COVID-19 and Coronavirus. The medical professionals along with the government have said that by practicing social distancing along with improving one’s hygiene we can stop the spread of this virus to others.
Proforce Facility Services understands that protecting you and your family is a top priority. That is why we would like to share some ways you can clean and sanitize your vehicle; we spend so much time in our cars lets keep them free of germs. All of us have been cleaning our hands, washing the surfaces where we live and work, but not many think about the vehicles we drive. With school about to start, taking the necessary steps will be vital to everyone’s safety. There are many simple ways you can immediately get started on, that can keep clean and disinfect your vehicle so everyone riding in it is safe.
Your car is often the first thing you touch after leaving any public place to come home. It is possible to have been in contact with the sars COVID virus and now it is in your car. Depending on the surface, the virus can live on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. The new coronavirus seems to be able to survive the longest on plastic and stainless steel — potentially as long as three days on these surfaces. It can also live on cardboard for up to 24 hours. Taking the necessary precautions will be a vital part of preventing transmission to others, especially to those in your own home.
Listed below are the best methods we recommend for sanitizing your vehicle:
Leather Cleaning and Sanitization
It is not recommended to clean your leather with a sanitizing wipe or spray because you can damage the leather finish. The simplest solution is soap and water; it then becomes a two for one deal because you are cleaning your hands at the same time. Soapy water is perfectly effective and safe for leather seats. Soap works because it breaks down the fatty bilayer of many viruses which dissolves the fat membrane and kills the pathogens. Soap is also much gentler on leather than bleach or alcohol-based cleaners, which can ruin and damage the finish. Once your seats are dry from being cleaned it is recommended to apply a leather conditioner to add to the protection of the leather.
Follow these steps:
- Put on a pair of disposable gloves.
- Dampen the seats and lather with soap for at least 20 seconds. *You can use any household soap.
- Wipe clean with a dry cloth
- Apply leather conditioner to prevent drying
- Properly dispose of gloves, wash your drying towel and hands!
Car Dashboard Cleaning and Sanitization
Just like leather upholstery, the best thing to clean your dashboard without damaging the surface is soap and water! First, dampen the area and scrub with soap for 20 seconds, rinse with a wet towel cloth. Although cleaning the buttons can be difficult they are important. Be careful when cleaning to not get water inside which can possibly cause damage, it is recommended to clean those areas or buttons with alcohol-based wipes or other cleaners that are known to kill the virus. Here is a link to the EPA certified cleaners that will kill Covid-19 here.
Steering Wheel, Seat Belts, Handles, and Other Car Surfaces Cleaning and Sanitization
The car steering wheel can be cleaned based on the material of the wheel. If it is a leather wheel, follow the same steps listed above for leather upholstery. This is a surface you should be cleaning frequently so create a routine so that you can maintain your safety and health. The quickest and easiest way to clean it in a pinch is by using sanitizing wipes. It is suggested you keep a container of wipes in your glove box to clean frequently touched surfaces like the steering wheel, seat belts, controls, door handles, and gear shift daily. If you are worried about damaging any surfaces, you can test the product in an inconspicuous area first to prevent any discoloration or degradation.
Outside vs Inside of the Car Cleaning and Sanitization
Most owners like to keep their car shining from the outside more than the inside as it’s more visible. However, keeping the car clean from inside is more important as that’s the space you spend your time. Firstly, make sure the cabin is properly vacuumed to remove all the dust and grime that gets deposited with time. Then ensure the carpets and the more difficult to reach areas like the front under-seat section, the recess in the front console, bottle holder slots on the door trims, and also the gaps between the seats and the console are cleaned thoroughly.
We understand also at Pro-Force Facility Services that everyone is super busy and may not have time to clean their vehicles. That is why we offer a car cleaning service to help you not have to worry about it, whether you are an individual or a business owner who needs their fleet of vehicles cleaned regularly give us a call today and we will clean and sanitize it for you.
