As the presence of the Coronavirus and associated COVID-19 strain rise throughout our country, state, and city, we continue to search for new ways to practice good hygiene. One area that is often overlooked is the cleanliness of our vehicles.
Although social distancing practices are in full-force, many of us are still regularly using our vehicles to get to and from work or run essential errands. Since the interior of our vehicles are a small contained space, it is important to take steps to reduce the risk of contracting the virus as we venture out of our homes and into the outside world.
Information from local health agencies and the CDC tells us that thoroughly washing our hands is one of the most effective ways to prevent the transmission of the virus. However, washing our hands isn’t always possible before we enter and exit our vehicles.
Proper cleaning and disinfecting of your vehicle is also advised. This is because we know that the virus can survive on a number of surfaces, even days after the contagions were dropped there. The experts at Tommy Terrific’s Car Wash, an automatic car wash near me, recommend following these tips to boost your safety during the outbreak.
Please note that Tommy Terrific’s Car Wash made the difficult decision to voluntarily close all three of our locations April 2nd and will be reopening May 4th. We are doing so to better protect our employees, customers, and community. During our closure, full-time staff will be paid in full.
Using the right disinfectants is key to killing viruses so they don’t live on your vehicles surfaces, including plastic, rubber, leather, and aluminum. Although the majority of common household cleaners will work, the American Chemistry Council has a list of specific EPA-approved products for use against COVID-19.
In addition to keeping sanitizer on hand, we recommend keeping disinfectant wipes in your vehicle for regular use. It’s also important to keep up with your car’s professional care. A professional detail will ensure the best possible protection from living viruses, helping you remove trapped dirt, grime, and germs from hard-to-reach areas or resistant areas.
What areas of your car need to be cleaned regularly? The CDC recommends that we clean frequently touched surfaces on a daily basis. In your vehicle, the most important and obvious areas are anything that your hands and fingers come in contact with.
To start, focus on the door handles, steering wheel, gear shifter, windshield wiper and lane change stalks, radio and temperature controls, storage areas, and seat belts. Other areas that aren’t as obvious include the top of the dashboard. The surface of your dash is a prime spot for harboring microorganisms, as well as vents and areas of your car that recirculate air. A full service automatic car wash near me like Tommy Terrific’s Car Wash, will ensure maximum cleanliness of your vehicle inside and out.
Although the main focus of car cleanliness during the outbreak is your car’s interior, you don’t want to forget the exterior. The exterior of your vehicle is in frequent contact with the outside world and should therefore undergo regular cleaning.
To prevent contact with germs, opt for an automatic car wash near me, like Tommy Terrific’s Car Wash. An automatic or touchless car wash does the cleaning for you, without you ever having to leave your vehicle or risk harmful exposure.
Tommy Terrific’s Car Wash will be reopening May 4th, to protect the health of our employees, customers, and community. We look forward to seeing you again soon!