At Hyundai of Moreno Valley, we fully understand the concerns our clients have about exposure to COVID-19, or coronavirus. To reduce the risk of exposure to germs outside their homes, many people in Moreno Valley and beyond are frequently using hand sanitizer and sanitizing items they purchase during their errands. What's easy to overlook, though, is that once you load those items into your Hyundai, they are then touching interior surfaces. According to the World Health Organization, studies suggest that the coronavirus may live on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. That means that you should be sanitizing the interior of your car to kill any germs it may have collected on your last visit to the grocery store or pharmacy.
Your Hyundai is made up of a variety of different materials, including but not limited to leather, cloth and plastic. You'll find that several tools are needed to properly sanitize all these surfaces. According to theNational Institutes of Health, the virus that causes COVID-19 is stable for up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to two to three days on plastic or stainless steel. Another study suggests that similar viruses can live on "inanimate surfaces like metal, glass or plastic for up to nine days."
What's the Best Way to Sanitize My Car's Interior?
Wash your hands before sanitizing your vehicle. And if you have them, use disposable gloves. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work well for sanitizing your vehicle. Just be sure to read the product's label to make sure it's safe for the surface you're planning to use it on. Keep disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer in your vehicle at all times, so you can quickly wipe down surfaces as needed.
How to Clean Leather Seats in My Car
If your Hyundai has leather seats, make sure to use designated leather cleaner on them. To ensure the cleaner you have works properly, spot test it on a hidden area within your vehicle's interior. And when you're cleaning, use a microfiber cloth to prevent scratching the leather. If you don't have leather cleaner, simply mix two parts vinegar with one part water to make your own. After cleaning, apply a leather conditioner to give your seats an extra polish.
How to Disinfect Surfaces in My Car
The most important areas of your Hyundai to keep clean are the dashboard and the steering wheel. Bacteria tends to collect in these spots, as air is cycled throughout the vehicle. To clean your dash, simply use soap and water. Dish soap can be used on your Hyundai. Simply dampen the surface of whatever you'd like to clean, then scrub for 20-30 seconds. Pay extra attention to areas you touch most frequently, including your steering wheel and dash. Other high-touch surfaces can include
Door Handles
Door Buttons
Key Fob
Steering Wheel
Inside Door Buttons
Seat Belts
Gear Shifters
Touchscreens
Buttons on the Dash
Buttons for Lights
Buttons for Windshield Wipers
Glove Compartment
Do I Need to Disinfect My Car's Exterior?
Thanks to the sun and other weather elements, germs are less likely to live on the exterior of your Hyundai. That being said, it's still smart to disinfect areas you touch most frequently, including the door handles, handle buttons and gas cap.
Are There Disinfectants I Should Avoid Using in My Car?
If you want to avoid damaging your Hyundai model's interior surfaces, don't use bleach or hydrogen peroxide to disinfect. These can damage the vinyl and plastics in your cabin. You should also avoid any ammonia-based cleaning products used to clean glass, as they can break down the vinyl on the dashboard. Heat and light may then cause your dashboard to become sticky.
Here at Hyundai of Moreno Valley, we want to do our part to help educate our clients and keep them safe and healthy during this difficult time. If you have any questions about car care or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to our Hyundai dealership in Moreno Valley, CA.
