To protect themselves from germs and viruses, people want to know the effective methods to sanitize all surfaces including vehicles. Though there is a lot of information on hygiene, you will find very less information about disinfecting a rented vehicle or your own vehicle.
How can Infections Spread in Cars?
The problems with vehicles are that the interiors of a vehicle contain various kinds of surfaces including metal, leather, plastic, and rubber. Viruses of various types can spread when you share airspace with the infected person, the airspace even after the infected person has left, and the surfaces touched by an infected person. Several studies have been conducted and according to some reports, virus might persist in the air for 3 hours and for 2-3 days on plastic and stainless surfaces. According to another study, the virus might survive on the inanimate surfaces including glass, metal, or plastic for as long as 9 days. Different viruses show different characteristics in this matter.
Measures Need to be Taken for Disinfecting Cars
- Germ Shield:
Germ Shield offers sanitization service for your vehicle to make it virus proof by using globally proven technology. Germ Shield is an antimicrobial transparent coating on the surface of your car which will provide 99.99% germ kill protection and it has been proved that it is effective against SARS and other droplet-based viruses.
- HEPA Filtration:
HEPA or High-Efficiency Particulate Air is a filter, which removes more than 99.9% of particles present in the air, which are very small in size like 0.3 microns. HEPA air filtration might not be a guarantee against SARS and other droplet-based viruses transmission because human SARS and other droplet-based viruses are smaller than 0.3 microns but HEPA can trap 99.9%. Moreover, the CDC recommends HEPA as a defense in a clinical setting that handles SARS and other droplet-based viruses.
- Ultraviolet Light:
Hospitals are using a kind of ultraviolet light known as UV-C for sterilizing rooms against viruses. UV-C causes cataracts and cancer when they are directed towards humans. However, according to a recent research study, UV-C might kill microbes without causing any harm to human tissues when the light is a narrow bandwidth and the rays at very far from the light spectrum. So, UV-C can be used for disinfecting a car.
- Ozium Sanitizer Spray:
It is a car cleaner that contains triethylene glycol that is known to reduced viruses and bacteria without causing any risk to the mucous membrane. Though it is not labeled always, you can consider a cleaner, containing triethylene glycol that can kill bacteria and neutralize viruses. It is regarded safe unlike ozone in the air.
- Fogger Sprays:
You can use fogger sprays in the unoccupied and closed vehicles. While HVAC runs, you can spray them into vents directly. The highly effective method of sterilizing your vent and HVAC system is finding the actual air intake near the windshield’s base or under the rear. Spray it there when the system runs.
- The Common Touch Points of a Vehicle
You should clean the surfaces that you come in contact with the most. Apart from the obvious places including the key fob, door handles, or steering wheels, one important part to clean the dashboard. The other places that should be cleaned inside a car are seat belts, door buttons, touchscreens, and gear shifters. According to the CDC, you should clean and disinfect touched surfaces on a daily basis.
The car’s exterior is less susceptible to carry viruses. This is because the outside weather and sun can reduce the life span of the virus. Still, it is a good idea to clean the exterior touchpoints and door handles. Keypads and gas pump handles at gas stations are places that you must be wary of.
- Formula 409 Multi-Surface Cleaner
Formula 409 does not use bleach are the active ingredient but uses benzylkonium chloride instead. Whenever you use cleaners read the directions of use and note the contact time it needs to kills viruses and germs. A quick wipe can give you protection against viruses. Clean the car’s interior such as interior door pull, exterior door handles, rear view mirror, start button, gear selector, buckle and seat belt, vents, and trunk lid.
- Vacuum Regularly
Your vehicle attracts dust. So, it is always better to vacuum the car regularly to minimize the infections. Clean the floor mats, carpets, levers, pedals, and more. Deep clean the seats. The fabric seats can soak bacteria and thus should be cleaned thoroughly by a professional.
Cars are the carriers of grime, dust, bacteria, and germ. Thus, it is highly important to disinfect your car for safeguarding the health of your family. These are the few important steps you can take to keep your car clean. To know the most effective method among these to disinfect you and your vehicle, read our next blog.