3 Steps to Protect Against the Spread of Viruses

It’s uncertain times as of recent. There’s lots of talk about the dreaded corona virus (COVID-19) and how to stop it’s spread. We urge everyone to take the appropriate precautions during times like these. It's always better to be safe than sorry. While we’re on the topic, we’d like to address how keeping your vehicle clean & disinfected may also help to stop the spread of this and any future diseases that may be circulating.

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) says one of the most effective ways to help prevent the spread of any respiratory virus like COVID-19 is soap. That’s right, regular ol’ soap. The trick is that you’ve got to use it, and use it correctly! That sounds pretty simple, and it is. Turns out that keeping your hands clean with soap & water should not only kill any viral microbes that you may have come in contact with, it can also help you to prevent the passage of any of that nasty stuff in the future. What's even better is that it doesn't need to be some extra-fancy, antibacterial soap. Just regular ol' soap (bar or liquid) should do the trick!

According to the CDC, you should “wash your hands often with soap for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap & water is not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 70% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.”

That’s it, that’s the biggest step you can take to help stop the spread. Of course, there’s additional measures you can employ that can further reduce the risk. The CDC states that you should disinfect frequently-touched surfaces daily. If these surfaces are dirty, clean them prior to disinfection. Use an appropriate cleanser or soap and water to clean. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should work to eliminate any lingering viral microbes.         

It goes without being said that the U.S. as a nation spends a lot of time in our vehicles. While we’re being extra-diligent these days, it makes sense to spend some of that time getting the “high-touch” areas of your vehicle cleaned (especially if you’ve recently transported an ill person). Below is a list of steps you can take to get your vehicle cleaned & disinfected:

1. First, you’ll want to wear disposable gloves while cleaning. Dispose of the gloves once you’ve finished.
2. If surfaces like your door handles, keyless entry remotes, steering wheel, window switches, navigation/touch-screens, radio knobs, etc. are dirty, clean them. You can use your regular car care supplies to keep “high touch” surfaces clean & free of dirt. A quality Interior Detailer should do the trick for the inside of your car or truck where we’re in contact with the vehicle the most.
3. Once cleaned, you can disinfect these high-touch areas with EPA-registered disinfectants. For fabric or non-colorfast surfaces of your vehicle, we would recommend to avoid a bleach solution as disinfectant as it may damage the surface. Rather, an alcohol-based solution with at least 70% alcohol should be effective. Be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions. Concentration, application methods and contact times all play a vital role for the efficacy of a specific product. Below is a link to a list of products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogen claims.

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-03/documents/sars-cov-2-list_03-03-2020.pdf

We are keeping a close eye on the current situation. This is a difficult time for all, but it’s wise that we take the official directions seriously and all do our part to minimize the spread of COVID-19 to our friends, family, loved-ones and community.

We wish everyone the best of luck. Stay safe and be well.

- Chris