How to sanitise your car
It is essential to sanitise your car regularly, particularly during this global emergency. Find out how to sanitise the interior and bodywork of your car.
Ways to sanitise your car
It is important to sanitise the cabin of your car to prevent the proliferation of potentially harmful agents in the vehicle, even more so in the current climate when we are tackling the spread of coronavirus. This is always done thoroughly when we take our vehicles to a car wash but it is always advisable to sanitise your car in between visits, cleaning the interior every few days and washing the entire car regularly.
Why is it important to sanitise the inside of the car?
As it is a small space where there are often several people at the same time, the presence of pathogens or particles that are harmful to man can have a negative effect on passengers, aggravating allergies and breathing problems where there are volatile substances present, and also issues that can be transmitted by contact when we touch the steering wheel, the handbrake and other parts of the vehicle.
So, what is the correct procedure for thoroughly sanitising your car yourself? To effectively disinfect your car, alcohol- and ethanol- based products are your best allies. Apply them to surfaces and they will eliminate potentially harmful agents. As they are detergents that pose a risk to people in the event of contact, inhalation or ingestion, it is always best to use single-use gloves and masks to minimise the discomfort of the person cleaning the car.
Sanitising your car yourself: how to do it
Before cleaning the steering wheel, gear stick, dashboard and various levers, the inside of the car must also be sanitised with a deep clean to remove dust using a high-powered vacuum. It is advisable to fully vacuum all surfaces, in addition to the seats –which can be a breeding ground for dust, crumbs and many other particles – the mats and the floor underneath.
After carefully vacuuming the inside, you can also disinfect the car with specific antibacterial detergents or with alcohol-based or similar products.
You can also clean the car with natural products, although the effectiveness of the sanitisation against viruses and bacteria will be reduced. One of the ways to clean leather and fabric inside the car without damaging it is by using a mixture of water and white vinegar: dilute half a cup of white vinegar in 250 ml of warm water and then wipe the interior of the car down with a soft cloth.
Sanitising professional cars with ozone
One of the professional options is an ozone treatment for car sanitisation, a relatively recent technique that removes pathogens including viruses, mould and fungi. It is quite a costly professional treatment but it can be used periodically to sanitise the car. Although there is no evidence of its effectiveness in eliminating coronavirus, an ozone treatment is still an excellent option for deeply disinfecting the car of almost all harmful substances.
Performed by professionals at car washes with the appropriate equipment, an ozone treatment carried out correctly does not cause any damage to the car and poses no risk to passengers, while the cost can vary depending on the type and size of the vehicle.
