With the growing concern for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), we at Headquarter Toyota know that keeping yourself and your family healthy is most important. The best way to flatten the curve is prevention through thorough hand washing, social distancing, and cleaning frequently used surfaces.
But what about your car?
While cleaning the interior of your vehicle might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of virus prevention, it’s important to remember this: Your car is often the first thing you touch after leaving any public place. That means keeping it clean is a significant part of preventing transmission to others, especially those in your own home. Here are some of the best methods we at Headquarter Toyota recommend for sanitizing your car.
Sanitize Your Car With These Tips
How to Sanitize Leather Seats
To avoid damaging the finish of your leather upholstered seats, avoid cleaning them with just any sanitizing wipe or spray. The safest and most effective way is to use soap and water.
Before cleaning, put on a pair of disposable gloves. Next, dampen the seats and lather soap (most household soaps will work just fine) onto the leather seats for at least 20 seconds. Soap breaks down the lipid (fatty) bilayer of many viruses, dissolving the fat membrane and killing pathogens. Mitigate any drying effects by applying a leather conditioner after cleaning.
How to Clean the Car Dashboard
Soap and water is again your best bet for cleaning your dashboard without degrading its surfaces. Dampen the area and scrub with soap for 20 seconds, then rinse with a wet paper towel or washcloth. To safely clean buttons and controls without getting water inside, use alcohol-based wipes or other cleaners that are known to kill the virus.
The EPA has released a list of cleaners that can kill the virus.
How to Clean the Steering Wheel, Seat Belts, Handles, and Other Surfaces
When it comes to cleaning the car steering wheel, the solution you use to clean it depends on the material of the wheel. If it is a leather wheel, you can clean it with soap. However, this is a surface you should clean frequently.
Overall, the quickest and easiest way to clean it is by using sanitizing wipes. For convenience, 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 it on an inconspicuous area first to prevent any discoloration or degradation.
Stay Safe and Healthy in Hialeah, FL
Headquarter Toyota wishes you and your family good health during these challenging times. If you are feeling ill and exhibit symptoms, visit the CDC website to find testing and treatment.
