How to Properly Sanitize Your Vehicle

It is easy to remember to wash your hands and clean your vehicle, but it can be a challenge to remember to sanitize your vehicle. The team at The Auto Experts is here to help. We have the ability to track in germs and other grime into our vehicle, but fortunately, it is easy to take the proper precautions and procedures to sanitize your car.

Let’s start with the basics -- washing and vacuuming your vehicle. Vacuum all the nooks and crannies of your vehicle, making sure to get rid of all those pesky crumbs and dirt. Don’t forget about your trunk. Make sure to clean it out and get rid of all those unused items. Once you have cleaned away all the dirt, it is time to wash your interior. You can use a soft brush, mild dish soap, and more suds than liquids to thoroughly clean your vehicle. There are products specialized for car cleaning, but soap and water will work just fine.

After you have finished the first step, it is time to start sanitizing! We recommend using disinfectant wipes, but you don’t have any, you can use 70 percent isopropyl alcohol. Pay close attention to areas of your vehicle you and your passengers frequently touch -- your steering wheel, door handles, radio, gear shift, and so on. After wiping down all these surfaces, we recommend using a microfiber cloth to finish the job. Don’t worry about pressing down too hard. All you need is a light touch.

If your vehicle has a touch screen, you will want to be mindful of the cleaners you use. Alcohol-based cleaners can damage touch screens. You might want to try a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and distilled water with a microfiber cloth, not a paper towel, as they can scratch these surfaces. For underneath your seats, the antibacterial, antiseptic spray will do the trick. If you have leather seats, you will need a specialized leather cleaner, but if you have vinyl seats, you can use mild soap and water to clean them. Be careful of not using too much soap and water, as it can lead to mold and mildew build-up.

We don’t want you to have to worry about the condition of your vehicle during this difficult time. Schedule an appointment with The Auto Experts today and make sure to use one of our specials. Proudly serving downtown Sacramento, Midtown, and East Sacramento, you can find us at 505 30th Street Sacramento, CA 95816. See you soon!