As nation prepares for lock down to be lifted on 3rd May (as per government guidelines) and usual life resumes, there are some important things that should be taken care of before getting back to travelling in a vehicle.
According to the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, because of the virus’s poor survivability on surfaces, there is a very low risk from products packaged and shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures. There is currently no evidence of COVID-19 transmission by the receipt of imported goods, nor are there any cases of the coronavirus in the U.S. through such imported goods.
Can my vehicle get sick from the coronavirus?
Nothing will happen to your car, truck or SUV should the coronavirus get onboard. But if not properly cleaned, your vehicle could be a hotbed of coronavirus and other infections and germs. It is for this reason that we suggest using hand sanitisers and disinfecting wipes to wipe down the interior of your car and any other area that could be considered a high-touch area. A good rule of thumb is to clean areas that you contact regularly and to sanitise your hands on an hourly basis.
One more bit of advice: We don’t recommend storing a large pump bottle of hand sanitiser in your car. The heat buildup may cause the alcohol in the sanitiser to “boil,” resulting in an expansion of the sanitiser’s bottle. This, in turn, might result in leakage and a mess that will require an extensive cleaning effort. It is a better idea to carry a more manageable-sized bottle, that can be on or near your personal effects, whether in the home, office or on the road.
What’s the best way to clean your vehicle to reduce the existence of coronavirus?
Alcohol works best in your automobile or SUV’s cabin. It is the cleaner most used by manufacturers of most automotive interiors today. All it takes is a quick wipe to clean most germs and fingerprints. Soap and water will work, too. We suggest spending extra time on the steering wheel. The steering wheel has four times the amount of germs found on an average toilet seat. For this reason, we suggest using disinfecting wipes to clean all the surfaces on the steering wheel. These include the redundant controls for radio, voice control, cruise control, navigation, and paddle shift levers. And don’t forget about the gear selector lever or the turn indicator stalks.Also clean the door and centre console armrests, display screens, cupholders, cubbyholes, air conditioner vents and even the door “grab handles.” You touch them more than you realise and are rife with bacteria and could carry coronavirus. You will very likely be surprised by the amount of dirt your wipes will pick up.
What not to use
We would advise against using any type of bleach or hydrogen peroxide on the vehicle’s interior. Both chemicals will put an end to the coronavirus germs, but they will also cause damage to the vinyl and plastics used in most modern vehicles today. Under no circumstances should you use any ammonia-based cleaning products. The ammonia breaks down the vinyl on the dashboard, making it sticky when subjected to heat and light. Additionally, to avoid damage to anti-glare coatings, the glass cleaner should not be used on touch display screens.
Finally, if you find yourself without any alcohol or other cleaners, a good scrubbing with soap and water will fill the bill. The coronavirus resides in a protective pocket that acts as a facilitator to infect other cells, but is broken down by soap. Heavy-duty cleaning will weaken the coronavirus
