Many people spend a considerable amount of time in their vehicle. Unfortunately, with the time spent inside vehicles, it only goes without saying that the interior is a very dirty places where microorganisms thrive, including disease-causing bacteria and viruses. In a recent study in fact, a child’s car seat can potentially contain even more germs than the average toilet seat. In light of this case study, along current events combating COVID-19, we at Top Notch Body Shop & Mechanic would like to offer a few recommendations to clean and disinfect the inside of your vehicle. Where the obvious locations such as steering wheel, gear shifter, and handle are the first places people will wipe down, there are many places that can have excessive germs. One thing you may not think about are your car keys. Not only are keys handled frequently, but your keys commonly make contact with dirty surfaces that may contain numerous bacteria and viruses. When you pick up the keys, the germs are transferred to skin.
Change Cabin Air Filter
A lot of trapped mold spores, pollen grains, and germs are likely contained on your cabin air filter, especially if you leave your windows rolled up most of the time. When the filters are over encumbered however, the air filters cannot do what they were designed to do, which really reduces your cabin’s air quality. Make sure the filter is changed periodically.
Upholstery. Bacteria and other microorganisms can grow easily on the carpet and seat upholstery that harbors food crumbs and other contaminates. As mentioned, disinfect the door handles, dashboards, door handles, touch screens, window buttons, lock mechanisms, radio, shifters and steering wheels as well.
Bacteria, Flu Germs & Viruses that Can Live Inside Cars, Trucks & Vans
While some germs make your throat sore or body ache, others can live inside your car may cause diarrhea, vomiting, and coughing. Below are a few examples of germs, bacteria, and viruses that can live inside your vehicle.
– Allergens and mold spores
– Intestinal organisms such as salmonella, E. Coli, and Norovirus
– Coronaviruses like COVID-19
– Flu and cold viruses such as influenza and rhinovirus
How to Prevent Bacteria & Viruses in Vehicle
Preventative measures you can take that will help keep unwanted contaminants out of your vehicle.
Vacuum Auto Upholstery. Use a brush attachment on the seat fabric and carpeting and give the vehicle’s interior a good vacuuming every month at least. Be sure to remove the remnants from nooks and crannies with the crevice tool to vacuum. Between the seats, under seats, and behind the seats need attention and be sure to vacuum any child’s car seats and wipe them with disinfectant wipes.
Shampoo Fabric Upholstery & Mats. Within the carpets and upholstery are microscopic particles such as dust, pollen, and germs. Shampooing your cabin’s cloth material from time-to-time is also vital to control the contaminates. A natural disinfectant is shampooing the floor mats and letting them dry in the sun.
Disinfect Interior Vehicle Surfaces. Be sure to use disinfectant wipes on any exposed plastic, vinyl and metal surfaces since harmful viruses can live on these surfaces for days. This includes trim, cup holders, dash, door panels and consoles. To clean the air inside your passenger compartment, consider highly effective disinfectant aerosol sprays.
Auto Body, Minor Auto Repairs & More in Dallas, Texas (Just Minutes Away from Addison, Balch Springs, Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Coppell, DeSoto, Duncanville, Farmers Branch, Ferris, Garland, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Irving, Lancaster, Lewisville, Mesquite, Ovilla, Richardson, Rowlett, Sachse, Seagoville, Sunnyvale & Wylie, TX)
When your vehicle is due for maintenance, requires minor mechanical needs, or auto body services, call in the professionals of Top Notch Body Shop & Mechanic.
