A Guide To Disinfecting Your SUV
October 26, 2020

A Guide To Disinfecting Your SUV

 

Staying healthy has become more important than ever before and people all over the world are taking active steps to protect themselves from getting sick. Not only are there more individuals wearing protective face masks, but we’re also paying more attention to hygiene and making sure that our homes are free of germs and bacteria. As germs and viruses can stay on surfaces from 4 hours to 17 days, proper disinfection is essential to ensure that your family stays well. Disinfecting the home should be the main priority, but don’t forget to give your family vehicle a thorough clean too, especially if you use it everyday. Here’s a guide to disinfecting your SUV.

Use water and a mild cleanser to clean non-porous surfaces

Whether it’s a conventional car or an SUV, all family vehicles will benefit from a complete cleanup job that involves more than washing and waxing the exterior. To clean the interior of your SUV, mix a mild all-purpose cleanser or Castile soap with water, then dip a soft sponge in the mixture and use it to clean hard and non-porous surfaces such as the arm rests, door handles, and the glove compartment, among others.

Most people think that antibacterial cleansers or household disinfectants such as bleach, ammonia, or hydrogen peroxide are the only things that could work to remove viruses, but new research has shown that soap can destroy most virus membranes, and plain water will do to wash them off surfaces. Moreover, it’s far gentler on your SUV interiors as they won’t harm or dull hard surfaces. Floor mats should also be removed and given a thorough wash with soap and water, then allow them to dry naturally under the sun. 

Pay attention to high-touch areas

High-touch areas inside the SUV such as the steering wheel, the gear shift, door handles, turn and wiper signal, seats, and the buttons on the sound system unit and climate control unit should be disinfected as frequently as possible, especially when you’re running errands or are taking your kids to their after-school activities. Clean these areas once a week with a soap and water solution and have a packet of alcohol wipes to disinfect them when you’re on the go. It’s also advisable to disinfect your hands before going inside your SUV, so have some hand sanitizer with you whenever you leave the house. Encourage your family members to do the same before getting in the vehicle. 

Ventilate your SUV

Proper ventilation can reduce virus levels inside your SUV. To create a healthy environment within the vehicle, open the windows so that there’s at least a 3-inch gap to keep the air circulating. When not in use, you may also open the doors and windows to air out your vehicle, or place a portable air purifier or ionizer to clean the air inside. Regularly dust the interiors and to further improve the air quality in your vehicle, use natural or organic car air fresheners to get rid of musty smells. You can buy one or make your own by mixing half a cup of baking soda with about a teaspoon of peppermint or lavender essential oil. 

Keeping your SUV clean and sanitized can protect your family against illnesses. Try these tips to thoroughly disinfect your vehicle so you and your loved ones can stay healthy.