Keeping Your Vehicle Clean in a Pandemic
February 1, 2021
Have you stopped to think about what germs are carried in and out of your vehicle? What about the surfaces we touch every time we get into the vehicle? Can you imagine all the germs? One study in 2019 showed that the average car is 2,000 times germier than a phone – yuck! Keeping your vehicle clean in a pandemic can sound daunting! But let’s roll up our sleeves together and see what small steps we can do to keep our vehicles cleaner this year.
Protect the Air!
Whether people riding with you are symptomatic or not, opening the windows just a little can help with keeping your vehicle’s air fresh and clean (and most importantly, pandemic-free!). Everyone should wear a mask when more than just your household are present.
Clean Surfaces
Clean and disinfect surfaces where people usually sit in your vehicle. Clean everything – the seats, door handles, window and lock buttons, steering wheel, gearshift, and other hard surfaces.
Car Seats and Seatbelts
The American Academy of Pediatrics gives these tips:
Car seats may be cleaned but should never be disinfected. While wipes and bleach work great for most surfaces, using a disinfecting chemical on a car seat harness or seat belt can cause damage to the webbing causing the car seat or seat belt to fail in the event of a crash.
Most car seats, boosters and seat belts can be cleaned with a mild soap and water and some have machine washable covers. Read your car seat owner’s manual for the proper cleaning instructions for that seat. Always air-dry harness straps.
Keep on Hand
Keeping some extra items on hand will ensure you’re always prepared for traveling during a pandemic. Add these to your emergency kit or glove box:
- Disposable Face Masks
- Extreme weather friendly snacks: trail mix anyone?
- Hand Sanitizer
- Hand Soap and Water – for when hand sani just isn’t enough!
- Reusable Shopping Bags
- Disinfecting Wipes
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