We're heading into November and that means flu and cold season is just around the corner. Not to mention we are always at risk for a new strain of COVID, which seems to be on the rise. As you think about preventing these illnesses, don't forget the important role your car can play in keeping you healthy.
While a lot of us probably think about wiping down surfaces in our homes when someone's sick, like cabinets, countertops and refrigerator door handles, the surfaces and touch-points in your vehicle should also receive some attention. Tthis is especially true if you carry passengers a lot or are involved in a children's carpool.
What to Keep in the Car
Here are some items you can keep in your car that can come in handy.
- Box of tissues: Hopefully having a box of tissues in the car will encourage passengers - and children - to use them. Keep a small trash bag in the back seat to gather the used tissues.
- Hand sanitizer: Keep this on hand for easy cleanups when kiddos didn’t have enough time to grab a tissue before sneezing. It also comes in handy after you've pumped gas as the station.
- Disinfectant wipes: These are great for wiping down frequently touched surfaces like the steering wheel, radio buttons, door handles and window switches. Think twice before using bleach wipes in your car because the harsh chemicals could damage the interior.
Other Ways to Sanitize
If you find your car's been exposed to someone with a cold, flu or COVID, here are some things to keep in mind when sanitizing.
Isopropyl alcohol with at least 70% alcohol (effective against the Coronavirus according to the CDC) is okay to use with a cloth for many, but not all, vehicle surfaces. For example, there are specific wipes made for cleaning leather interiors. Soap and water are also safe for most surfaces.
Avoid bleach, hydrogen peroxide, benzene, thinners or other harsh and abrasive cleaners. Also don't use abrasive ammonia-based chemicals on your vehicle's touchscreen because they can damage anti-glare and anti-fingerprint coatings.
Carpooling
Germs can spread quickly in the carpool lane. Some tips here include wiping down your child's backpack straps when they get home - and having hand sanitizer handy when they walk in the door. Having your kids washing their hands with soap and water should also be protocol. Wiping down phones and other gadgets with an appropriate sanitizer doesn't hurt either.
Air Quality
Also, don't forget about air quality. If you are prone to allergies, find out if your vehicle has a cabin air filter, it probably does. Most should be changed every 15,000 miles to keep the air as clean as possible in your vehicle.
Cleaning Car Seats
A special note about car seats, which can get really dirty and load up on germs. Cleaning a car seat requires a couple of steps:
- First, read the car seat’s manual before doing anything. Any missteps when cleaning it could make the car seat unsafe.
- To clean the car seat’s plastic shell, most manufacturers recommend using a damp cloth and mild soap. The seatbelt straps should be wiped down with a damp cloth, too. Some manufacturers allow the use of a mild soap to clean it, but check before cleaning.
- Don’t wash the seatbelt straps in the washing machine because it can affect its fiber strength and wash away fire retardants.
Again, read the owner’s manual before washing or consider having it done by a detailing professional. Some manufacturers allow the covers to be machine-washed (and likely air-dried), while others prefer hand shampooing and air-drying.
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Photo Credit: Fineart1/Shutterstock.com.
