Clean your Car!
The news is consistently reporting that the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus is to wash our hands better and more frequently. But what about our environments? The United States hasn’t implemented any major self-isolation regulations (at the time of publishing this blog post) so most of us are still going about our day-to-day business.
However, in places where large groups of people gather every day, like the NYC subway, extensive cleaning and disinfection, intended to stop the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses, has started. Some are asking why this cleaning isn’t done regularly, as it could prevent the spread of things like the common cold and the flu.
But what about those of us who don’t use public transit in NYC? We still travel, and we still come into contact with other people.
Another effective way to prevent the spread is to wipe down surfaces that you or your family commonly touch with your hands – including your car.
Focus on Wiping down Surfaces you Touch with your Hands
One way that viruses, like the current coronavirus, spread from person to person is that they can live on surfaces like steering wheels, subway handles, and seat belts for at least several hours, depending on conditions. When we touch those things and then eat with our hands or touch our faces, we’re giving a virus a free ride to infect us.
The point of cleaning isn’t necessarily to kill the virus; it’s to stay away from it. Viruses can only live for so long without a living host. Wipe it off of things we commonly touch, like the steering wheel, your child’s car seat, seat belts, and door handles. If it doesn’t come into contact with a person or animal, it will die, even without chemical cleaners like bleach.
You Don’t Need Industrial Strength Cleaning Agents
Have you heard of superbugs? We’re already in an age of living in environments that are “too clean” and it’s leading to bacteria and viruses that we can’t kill.
It’s not necessary to use bleach or cleaning agents that are harmful to you or your family.
● Soap and water will get rid of germs you don’t want. Try dish soap; it’s usually not too drying and won’t harm the materials your car is made of.
● You can find specific cleaning agents designed to clean a car’s interior.
● For an effective biodegradable and child-safe alternative, try a simple mixture of white vinegar and water. Wipe it with a damp cloth and let it air dry. (This has the added bonus of removing smells!)
