Keeping Your Car COVID19-Free

The persistent increase in the number of individuals affected by COVID19 has forced the president to impose a community quarantine to help prevent further spread of the virus. This has affected many people especially those who are just earning at minimum wage and those who work on a “no work no pay” policy. Devastating indeed, however, we must adhere to what has been mandated to everyone so that we can all get back to normalcy.

Being at home most of the time, there may be just about two things that most of us do – we eat and then sleep. The community quarantine period may just be what most of the busy people need- a time to relax. However, doing nothing can also be a bore after a week or tow of practically just staying in front of the television. But, apart from that, this is also a time where the whole family can help clean the house and make sure that it remains COVID19-free.

It should also be considered that apart from cleaning the interior of the house, the exterior should also be cleaned, as well. You may also own a car or two which you need to ensure that is not just clean but disinfected.

How is Cleaning different from Disinfecting?

What we most often do is clean. Cleaning is accomplished by using soap or detergent and water. This refers to the physical removal of dirt, oil, and grime and some portion of germs on a certain surface. In cleaning, we use sponges and cloths. Unfortunately, in doing this, we just tend to move germs from one surface to another. Disinfecting, on the other hand, refers to killing a high percentage of germs on a surface thus preventing them from reproducing. In these times, where the virus has become a huge threat worldwide, more than the usual cleaning that we do, we also need to ensure that all surfaces that are often touched should be disinfected.

To kill germs, most disinfectants contain either quaternary ammonium chloride (QUATS), peroxide (Hydrogen-Peroxide based), or hypochlorite (bleach-based). Disinfectants kill 100% of germs listed on the manufacturer's data when used properly.

For a disinfectant to be effective, it must dwell for the recommended dwell time. The average dwell time for a disinfectant will vary by the disinfectant type and organisms you trying to kill.

Disinfectants that do not remain wet for the recommended dwell time do not kill as many germs and are considered ineffective. Dwell time is the amount of time the disinfectant needs to remain wet on a surface to effectively disinfect (kill the organisms that are listed on its label) the surface. Surfaces that are not properly disinfected increase the chance of spreading germs and causing illness throughout your facility.

As you know, there had been a shortage of alcohol and disinfectants lately due to the consumers being in a panic of hoarding a lot of these items. Many opportunists are selling supposedly these unbranded disinfectants. Be careful in dealing with these people because they may be actually selling poor quality products at a very expensive price.

Now that public transports are currently suspended, the only means of getting to places such as supermarkets, drugstores, and groceries is by using our vehicle. So, how sure are you that you keep your vehicles free from the virus?

1.     Make sure to use a clean cloth of good material which should only be used for the car and the kind of cleaning agent which should not be harmful to the surfaced of the interior of the car.

2.     Most car manufacturers use isopropyl alcohol in cleaning the surfaces of the interior of the car prior to shipping them out. Isopropyl alcohol is able to remove stains and smudges, as well as bacteria and viruses. However, it should be reminded that too much use of it on a leather material can cause damage to it. It can deteriorate the coating and even remove the dye from the leather itself.

3.     Isopropyl alcohol is best used on hard surfaces such as the steering wheel, armrests, dashboard, console, seat adjusters, door, handles, cup holders, gear stick, etc. These are the highly-touched areas in the car which you should always remember to disinfect.

4.     The rearview mirror, ventilation grills, and knobs are also highly-touched surfaces. Use a microfiber cloth in wiping the surfaces.

5.     Leather steering wheels, seating, and trim should be cleaned using soap and water. Scrubbing too hard is not necessary because it can damage the quality of the leather.

6.     Be careful in using soapy water because if it gets deeper into the cushion, it can develop molds and can emit a musty smell, as if you have left your car open in the rain.

7.     Isopropyl alcohol can be used on non-leather seats.

8.     Using a disinfectant spray can also be used to get that fresh, clean smell.

9.     The rubber or plastic mattings should also be cleaned and disinfected since people may unknowingly walk into a virus-infested area, it is best that the shoes that you wear outside should not be let inside your home. Or, you may use a disinfectant spray. Similarly, spray on the tires of your cars as soon as you arrive home.

After cleaning and disinfecting your car, make sure that you should also wash your hands properly. As suggested, wash your hands at least 20seconds and include cleaning under your nails if you have long nails and wash up to your arms, (just like what doctors do prior to surgery). Dry your hands using a clean, dry towel and make sure to just use it once.

If, for any reason you think that you had someone ride your car and is infected with COVID19, make sure to disinfect and call a doctor immediately to know the next step. It is believed that the virus can survive in the air for at least 3 hours. And if you have been with an infected person, then you have an exposure to the virus which warrants you to do self-quarantine for 14 days.

Final Tips While Driving

Make sure that you wear a face mask and a pair of disposable gloves. We can never be too sure when the virus will affect us, but “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.

Unioil Fuel King is one with the rest of the world in fighting against the spread of COVID19 by staying at home and by always cleaning and disinfecting highly-touched surfaces in the house.