How and with what to disinfect the car to avoid becoming infected by the coronavirus?

It is true that the adoption of such measures is recommended if there were people infected with the coronavirus in the car or people who have had contact with infected people. And although 34 infected people have been counted in Lithuania so far and more than 40 thousand are monitored, the numbers are likely to increase in the coming days. So it’s never too late to act.

Jennifer Stockburger, a spokeswoman for Consumer Reports, warns that if there is someone in the car who actually has symptoms of illness, some surfaces should be cleaned.

“You should clean all frequently touched surfaces: steering wheel, door handles, gear lever, all buttons, touch screens, windshield wiper and turn signal levers, seat adjusters, door pockets, center armrest, interior door handles,” the specialist said.

According to her, this information is especially important for those who use their own cars to transport passengers, work in taxi or shuttle companies.

How to disinfect a car?

However, unlike domestic surfaces, many elements of the car are much more sensitive and less resistant, such as the kitchen table or the sink. Despite this, experts say, most household cleaners are actually suitable for fighting the coronavirus.

As Egidijus Steponavičius, representative of the Grinda company, which started providing disinfection services in Vilnius, explains, the simplest means, for example disinfectant liquid, are usually the most effective. According to him, before disinfecting the car, it is necessary to take care of disposable gloves, disposable napkins and, if possible, wear protective glasses. When cleaning your car it is advisable to move from the least contaminated surfaces to the most contaminated ones. After cleaning, disposable items should be placed in a bag and disposed of in a way that excludes the risk of infection. and disinfect reusable media. Finally, don’t forget to properly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap or disinfect them.

Where to start disinfection?

According to E. Steponavičius, hard surfaces of the car should be cleaned with disinfectant liquid: steering wheel, handles, glass. Other surfaces, such as the interior, should be disinfected using a household sprayer. After this procedure, the car should be left for at least a few hours, if possible, overnight. Finally, when you get to your car in the morning, you need to air it out after disinfection.

Which tools to choose?

The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control points out that non-sensitive surfaces can also be cleaned with household bleach with a chlorine concentration of 0.5%. (diluted 1:50 with water). However, the surface must first be cleaned with simple soap or detergent with water and only then disinfected with bleach. However, it is good to know that bleach is only suitable for certain parts of the car’s exterior.

Liquids containing at least 70% are also suitable for disinfection. of ethanol. Additionally, Jeff Stout, executive director of global innovation at Yanfeng Automotive Interiors, points out that almost all car surfaces can be disinfected using isopropyl alcohol. The latter is easily found in most auto supply stores.

The company represented by Mr. Stout also uses this liquid to clean parts in factories. According to the specialist, while isopropyl alcohol can also be used to rub the textile parts of the car, he warns not to use bleach or hydrogen peroxide to disinfect the interior of the car, as they will probably damage the surfaces on which it will be spilled. Furthermore, the use of ammonia-based products on touch screens is not recommended, as the anti-reflective and anti-fingerprint properties of these surfaces could be damaged. In his opinion, even ordinary soap and water can help disinfect the car, because these tools are very suitable for textile and leather surfaces.

True, here Mr. Stout warns that deletion is not inevitable, because it is the only way to ensure that viruses are destroyed, however, one should not overdo it. Especially in cases where, for example, the leather on the seats is already cracking. Finally, after disinfecting the car, it is important not to forget about hygiene and self-protection measures. Because you can clean the car as much as you can, but if you forget to wash your hands with soap and use disinfectants, all the work will be wasted.