As we know, we are facing a pandemic that has caused a series of setbacks for the automotive market, the delayed releases And the drop in sales is the most noticeable consequence. However, there is still a topic full of questions in times of coronavirus: How to properly sanitize your car?

With the goal of promoting health and preserving the lifespan of your vehicle's objects and materials, we at Senhor Carros have put together a complete guide especially for you on how to sanitize your car during the pandemic. Don't miss it! 

One of the main precautions recommended by the WHO – World Health Organization – amidst the new coronavirus pandemic is maintaining sanitized environments, and this applies to cars, especially if you are a taxi driver or work with ride-hailing apps. 

Many studies show that the virus is able to survive on surfaces for hours and days, depending on environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and ventilation. Therefore, in current times, it is necessary to disinfect your car frequently.

As one might expect, the steering wheel is the part of the car with the greatest potential for contamination, since it is the area with the most hand contact. 

Next, the areas most likely to accumulate dirt are the cup holders, seat belts, and interior door handles. 

Therefore, paying attention to these areas is essential to protect yourself and your passengers. 

With that in mind, you might be thinking: Which cleaning products should I use? Can I use 70% alcohol on everything? 

The answer is no! 

Liquid isopropyl alcohol (70%) should be preferred for cleaning certain parts of the car, but neutral detergent and disinfectant can also be used. 

Furthermore, another important tip is to opt for a microfiber cloth, as it doesn't shed fibers or scratch the interior of the car. Also, the cloth shouldn't be soaked, as excess cleaning products can cause moisture and contribute to the growth not only of viruses, but also of bacteria and fungi, which are also harmful to health. 

With that in mind, it's time to learn how to sanitize the different parts of the car. Let's go?

Sanitizing your car during the pandemic isn't difficult, but it requires a little patience and willingness. 

The cabin should be vacuumed, and it's important that the person responsible for cleaning the car wears a mask while doing so. The focus should be on the dirt that accumulates in the seams and folds of the seats. 

The air conditioning system should be cleaned and the cabin filter kept in good condition. This prevents the proliferation of fungi, bacteria, and viruses in the system. Ideally, during a pandemic, cleaning should be done at least three times a year. 

Upholstery and carpets should be cleaned with a solution of soap or neutral detergent and water. However, care must be taken to remove these products with a second dry cloth. This prevents moisture, which can contribute to the growth of bacteria, fungi, and the coronavirus itself.

Cup holders, as well as glass handles or cranks, should be sanitized with 70% isopropyl alcohol whenever they are touched by someone. 

Because these are sensitive areas of the car, cleaning them should be done using 70% isopropyl alcohol to prevent the plastic parts from drying out and to avoid damaging the electrical systems. 

Seat belts should be cleaned with a cloth dampened with water and detergent or neutral disinfectant. 

The dashboard is another area where the use of alcohol is not recommended, as it can cause parts to dry out and malfunction. Therefore, the ideal option is to use damp cloths with water and neutral soap. 

The trash can is another area that should be cleaned daily with a solution of water and neutral disinfectant. If there is any type of paper with secretions, ideally a glove should be used to clean the container as a form of self-protection. 

Finally, to clean the touchscreen multimedia display, use isopropyl alcohol, as its composition does not affect the functionality of the electronic gadget.

In addition to regularly cleaning your car, it's important to maintain a personal hygiene routine, frequently washing your hands. 

It is also important not to use hand sanitizer, which is indicated for disinfecting hands, anywhere in the vehicle. This is because the product has a formulation specifically for the skin, with stickier characteristics, capable of leaving residue if applied to any type of surface, which promotes the accumulation of dirt. 

Another important point to remember is that alcohol is a flammable product, so avoid leaving it inside the vehicle, especially when the car is exposed to the sun's heat. 

Another option for sanitizing your car during the coronavirus pandemic is ozone sanitization. 

This is a process that involves applying an ozone charge to disinfect the entire vehicle cabin. The entire ozone charge is applied using a small, centrally located device. 

With the pandemic, this type of service has grown and is being used by drivers as a marketing strategy and to build trust with passengers. The cost of a vehicle sanitization treatment ranges from R$ 100 to R$ 200.

The simple act of sanitizing your car is already a protective measure. However, according to the WHO, adopting individual protective measures against the coronavirus is also fundamental. The main ones are:

Sanitizing your car and taking protective measures is very important, since cases of coronavirus are still rising in Brazil. 

In addition to hygiene precautions, if your car is parked, it will also need some specific care. To help you with this, we've written an article showing the main precautions that should be taken with a parked car during quarantine. To find out what they are, just click the button below!