Due to the current state of things, the public should be extra-sensitive when it comes to their normal health routines. Basic daily activities now involve several levels of disinfection and sanitation. And the same should apply to your car: are you sure you’ve cleaned and sanitized it enough? Your trusted Kia Albuquerque dealership offers several key steps for keeping your vehicle clean.
Find the Dirtiest Spots
Ask your Kia dealers in Albuquerque, NM and you’ll be surprised to know that the steering wheel is the most bacteria-rich area of your ride. Your hands come in contact with it constantly, and you will most likely touch your face any time during your drive. The cup holders, gear shift handle, and the touch screen are also high-risk spots that microbes can grow on.
You should not be wary of just the areas that your hands touch, but also what your feet rest on. Shoes can transfer not just mud or dirt to your floor mats, but can also carry viruses and bacteria that can circulate in the air of your car if not cleaned right away.
Choose the Right Cleaning Products
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the use of sanitizing wipes, mild bleach solutions, and alcohol-containing cleansers on vehicles to fight viruses. But as a car owner, you’ll also want to preserve your car by not using harmful chemicals on the interior and exterior. Care must be observed because not all products can be sprayed on all surfaces.
Leather and fabric are extra sensitive to oily substances, so wipes or mild leather cleaner can be used. Electronics should never be moist, so alcohol-based sprays or wipes can be the right tool for the job.
Apart from choosing the products wisely, you should also follow CDC’s recommendation of using rubber gloves and wearing a mask when cleaning your car. Change out of your clothes and shower immediately after a thorough sanitizing session on your ride.
Clean Your Ventilation System
Even if all reachable surfaces are disinfected, the air inside the car may still contain viruses or bacteria. The vent can be sprayed with aerosol solutions that can kill the microbes on contact. In addition, the car air filter should be inspected and changed as needed. This prevents any accumulated dirt or debris from finding its way into your air conditioning or heating system.
Use Specialized Tools for Sanitizing Your Vehicle
To ensure that your car is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, you may use specialized devices like mist machines or UV lamps. Mist devices are filled with an approved disinfecting solution like triethylene glycol, and it sprays fine liquid particles throughout the interior of the car. There are automotive specialists like Kia Rio Rancho that can recommend the correct solution that will not damage the soft surfaces and electronics of your car.
For shared-use vehicles, such as public transport, ride sharing, and emergency response vehicles like squad cars and ambulances, UV lamps are highly recommended. These are switched on for several minutes inside the car, allowing the rays to irradiate every nook and cranny that microbes may thrive in.
For more helpful tips on maintaining a safe and virus-free vehicle, check out Fiesta Kia.
