How to Sanitize the Interior of Your Car

It’s that time of the year again: flu season. Except this time, we’ve got fears of the Coronavirus, too. We all know that the best way to prevent the spread of disease is through practicing good hand washing, avoiding large social gatherings and cleaning. However, you probably forget to clean your car as often as you should. 

Your car can become a breeding ground for infectious disease. It is often the first thing you touch after leaving a public space or pumping gas. From there, it’s only a matter of time (and a commute) before you carry those germs into your home. Cleaning your car frequently is one of the best ways to defend yourself and your family against illnesses like the Coronavirus. We at Landers Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram are here to tell you the most effective ways to sanitize your car interior. 

How to Clean Leather Seats

You shouldn’t clean leather with just any spray or wipe, as leather has a finish that can be damaged by some solvents or cleaners. Surprisingly, the best way to thoroughly sanitize leather without damage is simply by washing with soap and water. Before cleaning, put on a pair of disposable gloves. Next, dampen the seats and lather soap (most mild, household soaps will work just fine) onto the leather seats for at least 20 seconds. Soap breaks down the lipid (fatty) bilayer of many viruses, dissolving the fat membrane and killing pathogens. Soap is much gentler on leather than bleach or alcohol-based cleaners, and you can mitigate any drying effects by applying a leather conditioner after cleaning. 

How to Clean the Car Dashboard 

To avoid degradation or damage to the dashboard, the best solution to clean with is soap and water. Simply dampen the dashboard and thoroughly lather the soap on all surfaces for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with a clean, damp paper towel or washcloth. Obviously, it isn’t a good idea to clean controls, screens or buttons with water. Your best bet is to clean these with a sanitizing wipe, alcohol based cleaner or other EPA-tested cleaner that is shown to effectively kill pathogens. It is important to note that each cleaner has different guidelines in order to effectively sanitize surfaces. Make sure to read the packaging to see how long surfaces must be saturated.  

How to Clean the Steering Wheel, Seat Belts, Handles, and Other Car Surfaces 

The solution you use to clean your steering wheel depends on the material it’s made of. If it is a leather wheel, you can clean it with soap, however, this is a surface you should clean frequently. The quickest and easiest way to clean it is by using sanitizing wipes or sprays. Keep a container of wipes in your glove box to clean frequently touched surfaces like the steering wheel, seat belts, controls, door handles and gear shift daily at least. If you are worried about damaging any surfaces, you can test the product in an inconspicuous area first to check for any discoloration or degradation. Another great idea is to keep hand-sanitizing gel in your car to use after pumping gas or returning from an errand. Fully saturate your hands in the gel and let it dry. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers should sit on the skin for at least 15 seconds to be effective. 

At Landers Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we are dedicated to keeping our customers and employees safe. If you have any questions, concerns or you need special accommodation, please reach out to us. Most importantly of all, keep yourself safe. If you are feeling ill and exhibit symptoms, visit the CDC website to find testing and treatment.