How to Clean Your Car for Coronavirus

At Clawson Honda of Fresno, we fully understand the concerns our customers have about exposure to COVID-19, or coronavirus. In order to reduce the risk of exposure to germs outside their homes, many people in Fresno, CA, are wearing gloves, frequently using hand sanitizer and wiping down items they purchase as they run their errands. What’s easy to forget, though, is that once you purchase these items and load them into your vehicle, they are then touching the interior of your car. According to the World Health Organization, studies suggest that coronaviruses may live on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. That means that you should be sanitizing the interior of your car to kill any germs it may have collected on your last visit to the grocery store or pharmacy.

How Long Does Coronavirus Survive on Surfaces?

One of the biggest challenges in disinfecting your car is that its interior contains a variety of different surfaces, from soft leather seats to the plastics on your dash. Depending on the materials in your vehicle, you’ll need different tools to properly clean them. According to National Institutes of Health, the virus that causes COVID-19 is stable for up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to two to three days on plastic or stainless steel. Another study suggests that similar viruses can live on “inanimate surfaces like metal, glass or plastic for up to nine days.”

What’s the Best Way to Sanitize My Car’s Interior?

Before you begin sanitizing your vehicle, be sure to wash your hands. It’s also a good idea to wear disposable gloves. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work well for sanitizing your vehicle. Just be sure to read the product’s label to make sure it’s safe for the surface you’re planning to use it on. If you have enough to spare, keep disinfectant wipes and a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your car so you can wipe down the interior frequently.

How to Disinfect Surfaces in My Car

The most important areas of your Honda to keep clean are the dashboard and the steering wheel. Bacteria tends to collect in these spots, as air is cycled throughout the vehicle. To clean your dash, simply use soap and water. Dish soap can work well, but be sure to wipe down any high touch surfaces with a disinfectant. These surfaces can includes:

• Door Handles
• Door Buttons
• Key Fob
• Steering Wheel
• Inside Door Buttons
• Seat Belts
• Gear Shifters
• Touchscreens
• Buttons on the Dash
• Buttons for Lights
• Buttons for Windshield Wipers
• Glove Compartment

Are There Disinfectants I Should Avoid Using in My Car?

If you want to avoid damaging your Honda’s interior surfaces, don’t use bleach or hydrogen peroxide to disinfect. These can damage the vinyl and plastics in your cabin. You should also avoid any ammonia-based cleaning products used to clean glass, as they can break down the vinyl on the dashboard. Heat and light may then cause your dashboard to become sticky.

How to Clean Leather Seats in My Car

Before using any type of leather cleaner, be sure to spot test it on a hidden area to ensure it will work well for your specific seats. Use a microfiber cloth when cleaning to avoid scratching the leather. If you don’t have any leather cleaner on hand, you can mix two parts vinegar with one part water to make your own solution. If you have any available, apply a leather conditioner after cleaning.