How to disinfect your car without damaging it

MANILA: As we entered the age of the pandemic a few months ago, even at the outset we were all encouraged to thoroughly wash our hands, observe hygiene, and other safety protocols such as physical distancing.

This new era has also been marked by new trends such as the wearing of face masks, face shields, and disposable gloves as standard accessories, nay, requirements for anyone who ventures out. We are also encouraged to always have a bottle of sanitizer with us. Then, anything that goes into the outdoors warrants subsequent disinfection to reduce the risk of carrying the dreaded coronavirus

Vehicles should naturally receive the same sort of protection and sanitization. But Nissan Philippines says that some cleaners can actually harm your vehicle interior, and thus shares tips on how to disinfect your ride safely.

First things first

Prior to starting, wear disposable gloves for your protection. Then you can start to wipe down surfaces using a soft or microfiber cloth dampened with soapy water prior to disinfection. This can be used for hard surfaces.

Nissan says that “most common disinfectants are effective, but some are not ideal for vehicles, including bleach, hydrogen peroxide, benzene, thinners or abrasive cleaners that can damage upholstery and interiors.” Bear in mind that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that alcohol-based wipes or sprays with at least 70% alcohol are effective against the coronavirus. These can also be safely used in your vehicle.

For car screens, shelve ammonia-based cleaners and, rather, use screen wipes or a soft cloth dampened with soap and water to clean; then dry with a clean, soft cloth.

Key surfaces to disinfect

• Steering wheel
• Key and remote fob
• Exterior door handles (both sides)
• Trunk lid or liftgate grab areas
• Interior door pulls, both sides and interior door panels
• Start/stop button, if equipped
• Rearview mirror, back and edges
• HVAC vents
• Gear selector
• Turn signal lever
• Windshield wiper controls
• Center stack knobs
• Center console and armrest
• Seat belt and buckle. Avoid harsh cleaners on the belt itself as they can degrade the fibers and the belt's strength
• Parking brake handle, parking brake or release lever

Graphics from Nissan Philippines