As the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic rages on, it’s vital to disinfect your car in order to prevent the further spread of the dreaded virus.
The United States-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that disinfecting surfaces including those inside your vehicle is equally important as hand-washing.
According to the CDC, the best measure to disinfect your car is by wearing disposable gloves to clean and disinfect surfaces, and wiping down surfaces with soap and water prior to disinfection. As for vehicle interiors, a soft or microfiber cloth dampened with soap and water can be used on hard surfaces.
Although most common disinfectants are effective, some are not ideal for vehicles, such as bleach, hydrogen peroxide, benzene, thinners or abrasive cleaners that can damage upholstery and interiors. The CDC said that alcohol-based wipes or sprays with at least 70% alcohol are effective against the coronavirus and can be safely used in your vehicle.
For car screens, the CDC said that instead of ammonia-based cleaners, it’s best to use screen wipes or a soft cloth dampened with soap and water to clean; then dry with a clean, soft cloth.
Here’s Nissan’s checklist for vehicle surfaces to disinfect:
- Steering wheel
- Key and remote fob
- Exterior door handles (both sides)
- Trunk lid or lift gate grab areas
- Interior door pulls, both sides and interior door panels
- Start button, if equipped
- Rear view mirror, back and edges
- HVAC vents
- Gear selector
- Turn signal lever
- Windshield wiper controls
- Center stack knobs
- Center console and arm rest
- Seat belt and buckle. Avoid harsh cleaners on the belt itself as they can degrade the fibers and the belt’s strength
- Parking brake handle, parking brake or release lever
