Car cleaning tips to reduce the risk of COVID-19

To prevent the transmission and spread of the coronavirus, it is vital to keep your vehicle clean and sanitized at all times. Nissan provided us with a few handy tips to make sure you clean your car properly.

How to clean and disinfect your interior

Start by sanitizing your hands. If you do not have any virus on your hands,  you reduce the risk of getting it into your vehicle and onto the surfaces. Any passenger should also do this as they may transfer the virus too.

Clean/disinfect door handles inside and out, steering wheel, start/stop button, your touchscreen, climate controls, radio knobs, seatbelts, car key, window and lock buttons and switches.

Include surfaces that get the most contact such as the armrests, centre console, door pads and seat surfaces.

How to clean car seats

A general rule to clean cloth seats is to combine 1 cup of vinegar, a squirt of dish soap, and some hot water in a bucket. Use a clean sponge, dab the mixture into any stains to loosen them, then scrub those areas with a brush to lift them. Follow that with a rinse of clean water.

Every surface is different, so cleaning cloth seats won’t be the same as cleaning leather ones.

How to clean leather seats

Not all leather is the same. It is recommended to use cleaners such as soap and water with a microfiber cloth.

How to clean other surfaces

Household cleaners, car-specific cleaners, or good old soap and water can be used. For maximum effectiveness and safety, any products must be used according to their label.  Then use disinfectant wipes (on smooth seating and hard surfaces) or any solution 70% or more alcohol that will kill the virus. Only use microfibre cloths, not paper.

What not to use

Many products commonly found on store shelves will disinfect covid-19, but many can also be damaging to the vehicle’s interior surfaces. These products can be used according to their label.

Bleach – This classic laundry chemical kills the virus but may ruin the vehicle surfaces.

Ammonia – Cuts grease; ruins cars. And has an awful smell

Hydrogen Peroxide – Good for disinfecting scrapes and cuts.

What to use to clean and disinfect

Vinegar is another tried, tested and true option, but the smell tends to linger. Soap and water are also good but don’t drench the area as it could create mould or mildew.

Multi-surface disinfectants containing forms of ammonium chloride as the active ingredient should be used according to product directions for compatible surfaces and diluted if necessary, this will limit residue build up as well as the potential for damage to your car’s surfaces.