Reducing the risk
Jil Mcintosh offers tips on how to clean and disinfect your car to stay healthy.
We’re all washing our hands because of coronavirus, but what about your vehicle? It’s important to keep it clean and sanitized, but you need to do it properly. That means destroying viruses without damaging your car’s interior surfaces.
There’s still a lot we don’t know about COVID-19, but it appears the highest risk of transmission is through droplets from an infected person. They cough onto a surface and you touch it. It’s believed the virus can stay active on some surfaces for days.
You want to disinfect all the “high-touch” surfaces, including the obvious ones like the steering wheel and centre touch screen. But you might not realize just how much you touch. This includes the door handles, inside and outside, and the grab handle to close the door, the key fob, the turn signal and wiper stalks, shift lever, starter button, lock, window, and power-mirror switches. And don’t forget the seat adjusters, whether power or manual.
Clean all buttons, dials and switches, including for the climate control and stereo. Flat surfaces such as the dash, console, armrest, and door pads should also be cleaned. And here’s one you might forget: the rear-view mirror. If you’ve adjusted it, you’ve touched it.
WHAT TO USE
“You have to use common sense, because a lot of products are strong and they can damage the surfaces,” advises Andrew Ross, owner of Car Care Extraordinaire in Mississauga.
“If you’re not sure, try it first on a small, inconspicuous spot to see if it’s going to be a problem. And always read the label and follow the product instructions.”
One of the most convenient methods is a disinfectant wipe, but that isn’t completely foolproof. First, thanks to panic buying, you might not be able to get your hands on any. And they’re not all the same.
Ross recommends isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, available in drug and hardware stores.
“We wipe everything down with it, but as with any chemical, we put it on a rag and wipe with that. Spray it on the rag, rather than pouring it directly on the surface.”
For cleaning, it’s best to use a microfibre towel because they trap dirt, unlike a paper towel, which can smear particles and potentially scratch glass or soft surfaces.
Vinegar can also be used, but as with rubbing alcohol, it’s always best to test on a small area, especially on soft surfaces such as cloth or leather upholstery. With any cleaner, if the cloth turns the colour of your upholstery, try something else.
And just as it works on your hands, soap and water will do the job. Just don’t overdo it with the suds or water, because soft surfaces that don’t dry quickly can create mildew.
WHAT NOT TO USE
Laundry bleach does an excellent job of eliminating viruses, and an equally decent job of ruining vehicle surfaces. There’s no recommended ratio for diluting bleach with water, Ross said, and you risk damage if you try.
Also on the “don’t” list are harsh chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, or strong cleaners meant for exterior surfaces.
You’ll find various car cleaners at parts stores, but be cautious. If they’re light duty and mostly to shine up a surface, they won’t be enough to kill viruses. If they’re heavy duty, such as for cleaning wheels or tires, they’re too strong for interior surfaces.
For your own safety, use only one product at a time. Some household cleaners don’t play well together, and if they’re mixed, they can become corrosive or create toxic fumes.
For a deep clean, consider taking your vehicle to a professional. Like some other shops, Ross uses steam to clean and disinfect the interior. But no matter what you do to scrub up, continue doing it.
“People regularly get sick, especially children, and you want to get rid of those germs,” he said. “Once your vehicle is clean, keep it clean.”