How to Disinfect Your Car Without Damaging Interior Surfaces

Almost everyone at this point is aware of how to stay safe from the coronavirus. We all know how to wash hands properly, how frequently to do so, and which household detergents effectively destroy the coronavirus. But most of us do not pay as much attention to the interiors of our cars. If your daily routine involves spending a considerable amount of time behind the wheel, you need to know how to prevent yourself from getting infected. Or maybe driving for Lyft or Uber is your full-time job, and you want to ensure your customers’ safety.

Many repair shops and dealerships are being bombarded with car cleaning questions these days. People want to know how they can effectively disinfect their cars. The majority of us spend a reasonable amount of time in vehicles, so it is crucial to ensure that our loved ones and us clean the interior environment. We have compiled this car disinfection guide to help you out during these trying times.

 

The interiors of vehicles generally have various materials and surfaces. So, the main thing you need to keep in mind while disinfecting your vehicle is that nothing gets damaged.

Selecting Materials to Clean and Disinfect Your Vehicle’s Interior

Before you begin disinfecting and cleaning your vehicle, you need to select the cleaning materials and agents for it. Depending on whether your car has cloth, imitation leather, or real leather upholstery, the cleaning agents and steps differ accordingly.

An effective disinfectant is Isopropyl alcohol. It is also a safe option for most interior surfaces. This compound is often used to add the last touch on components before the production plants ship them out. It can remove various types of stains, residues, smudges, and also kill viruses and bacteria.

However, keep in mind that it is bad for leather. Leather has a thin coating that protects it from discoloration. Chemicals like isopropyl alcohol can destroy the coating, fading the dye of the leather. So you need to follow different steps to clean the leather surfaces of your car’s interior.

Isopropyl alcohol with a strength of around 70% is easy and safe to use for wiping hard surfaces. These may include the dashboard, steering wheel, seat adjusters, console, doors, shifter, handles, knobs, gear shifter, seat belts, rearview mirror, cup-holders, etc. It is also suitable for cleaning imitation leather.

Make sure you prioritize the “high touch” surfaces of your vehicle when cleaning. All wiping should be carried out using a microfiber cloth. This fabric has tiny loops that sweep and capture away dust and dirt particles before they scratch shiny plastic or delicate surfaces. So, not only will it effectively trap dirt, but it will also ensure you leave no scratches while cleaning.

How to Clean a Car with Leather Interior

If your vehicle has leather seating, trim, and steering wheels, a mixture of water and soap is the safest and damage-free way to disinfect them. Avoid scrubbing hard when wiping any leather surfaces of your car’s interior and excess water and suds. The most recommended and effective way to get rid of germs is through hand washing. It is not only because soap can get rid of germs, but also because of the friction that results from hand washing. Germs have a protective coating that makes them infectious. The friction that results from hand washing destroys this envelope and effectively disarms them. So, wiping your car’s leather interior with soap and water has the same effect. You may also use a leather cleaner and a leather conditioner after that.

 

Steps for Disinfecting and Cleaning Car Interiors

While automobile interiors are designed to be strong and durable, scrubbing them with something rough can cause discoloration and scratches. Wiping hard surfaces with alcohol and gently cleaning upholstery are the most effective methods to clean and maintain your vehicle’s interior.

Avoid using excess water when wiping your seats. If you soak it in water, it can absorb through the cushion underneath. This may result in a musty smell and mold growth inside your car. Using a sponge or cloth soaked in soap water is the best way to wipe your car’s seats.

If your car has imitation leather, you may wipe those surfaces with alcohol. Imitation leather has a urethane coating, so it is safe to clean it with alcohol.

No matter what you do, avoid using hydrogen peroxide and bleach to clean your vehicle’s interior. While they might be effective in killing coronaviruses, they can also damage the upholstery of your car. Also, avoid using ammonia-based detergents on touch screens. They can damage anti-fingerprint and anti-glare coatings.

 

The Last Word

You do not have to clean your car repeatedly if you aren’t sick or had a passenger in your vehicle who was sick. However, doing it every now and then can give you peace of mind.

Experts commonly recommend that after cleaning and disinfecting your vehicle’s interior, you make sure to wash your hands every time you enter the car. It will prevent the virus from getting on any surface of your vehicle and ensure it remains disinfected. Even without COVID-19, it is a healthy habit that also prevents your vehicle’s interior from getting too dirty. Your car’s steering wheel probably has the most bacteria due to continuous touching. Washing hands before you drive will ensure it remains in good condition.

 

This car disinfection guide will certainly help you to keep your car clean and prevent germs from staying in your car.  Make sure you do a thorough cleaning every couple of months and use disinfectants that won’t damage your car. For more information on cleaning services, contact the Nutley Kia Service Department.

 

 

 

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