Disinfecting your car

Drive
With drivers spending more time on the road after the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, cleaning and disinfecting your car is more crucial than your regular clean.
disinfecting steering wheel

RACQ's Motoring Advice team advises disinfecting your car is only necessary if a surface has been contaminated with infectious material. Disinfectants will not work on a dirty surface.

It is recommended that you also wear suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as disposable gloves and a face mask.

You should pay attention to high-touch areas such as:

  • Steering wheel.
  • Gear selector.
  • Door handles, inner and outer.
  • Touch displays.
  • Audio and climate control systems.
  • Arm rests.
  • Anywhere directly in the firing line of a sneeze or cough.

As these surfaces can be quite textured for grip, they may require extra effort to clean.

Routine mechanical (rubbing) cleaning with a suitable detergent and water followed by rinsing with clean water and drying is the best method for removing germs from surfaces.

A clean cloth should be used each time and this can either be one that is disposable or able to be washed in a washing machine.

Any detergent that is to be used should be purchased from a car parts supplier and tested on a small discreet area of each individual trim material before use

Don't use any type of bleach or hydrogen peroxide on your car's interior.

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