[MarcoZandrini]

......clean our cars' interior to get rid of any covid19 viruses? My car has leather seats so I'd link info on how to clean them also.

Thanks!

[John in VA]

I'm the only one in my car, so don't worry. I saw this info posted today:
Hand sanitizer will kill germs, but it could also kill your car’s interior
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/f...-interior-wear

[MarcoZandrini]

Originally Posted by John in VA

I'm the only one in my car, so don't worry. I saw this info posted today:
Hand sanitizer will kill germs, but it could also kill your car’s interior
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/f...-interior-wear

That's what I'm afraid of.

[shadowfax]

My local dealer is offering to spray cars after service with something that they claim is safe on leather:
https://www.fieldsbmworlando.com/cil...robial-faq.htm

[H2O_Doc]

Fart with the windows up and leave it in the sun. Should kill the critters.

[Maynard]

As per the most recent info I saw, the virus dies after about 72 hours on hard surfaces and much less on softer (moisture wicking) surfaces like cloth, so the simple answer is just wait it out. Any of the disinfectants will be destructive to your interior (unless there are some high tech chems, but bleach or alcohol are rough). But just like washing your hands, a good wipe down with interior cleaner would go a long way (you'd be wearing clean gloves, or it would be a waste of time). No way to really clean if you are swapping driver to driver - for that you really need a medical grade approach where you soak the area and let it stand, makes me cringe thinking about it (and it would still be in the air ducts and carpet). If you have to swap drivers, best bet is wearing masks, and putting on gloves just before you get in - easier to keep it from going from car>you than disinfecting the car.

[TonM3]

Originally Posted by Maynard

As per the most recent info I saw, the virus dies after about 72 hours on hard surfaces and much less on softer (moisture wicking) surfaces like cloth, so the simple answer is just wait it out. Any of the disinfectants will be destructive to your interior (unless there are some high tech chems, but bleach or alcohol are rough). But just like washing your hands, a good wipe down with interior cleaner would go a long way (you'd be wearing clean gloves, or it would be a waste of time). No way to really clean if you are swapping driver to driver - for that you really need a medical grade approach where you soak the area and let it stand, makes me cringe thinking about it (and it would still be in the air ducts and carpet). If you have to swap drivers, best bet is wearing masks, and putting on gloves just before you get in - easier to keep it from going from car>you than disinfecting the car.

Park it for a few days. Viruses don't live on surfaces long.

[Throttlesteer14]

a few drops of dish soap in water works great. It will kill the virus and not harm your leather. Follow up with your typical leather conditioner.

[MarcoZandrini]

Originally Posted by shadowfax

My local dealer is offering to spray cars after service with something that they claim is safe on leather:
https://www.fieldsbmworlando.com/cil...robial-faq.htm

The list of microbes that it kills does not include the corona virus.

[Throttlesteer14]

The way soap kills the virus is to strip off the layer that protects the virus. If you put a few drops of dish soap in a bucket and fill it up to produce foam, use a microfiber and dip it only in the foam portion. Wipe down any surfaces where you're concerned about the virus. This technique is also proven to remove whitish sweat stains from dark leather.

Cheap, easy, and doesn't require buying anything fancy. There's a reason the CDC recommends soap above everything else.

[MarcoZandrini]

Good to know!

[advrider6510]

I would advise against using any type of bleach or hydrogen peroxide on the vehicle’s interior. Both chemicals will put an end to the coronavirus germs, but they will also cause damage to the vinyl and plastics used in most modern vehicles today. Under no circumstances should you use any ammonia-based cleaning products. These can be found in “blue glass cleaners.” The ammonia breaks down the vinyl on the dashboard, making it sticky when subjected to heat and light. Additionally, to avoid damage to anti-glare coatings, the glass cleaner should not be used on touch display screens.

Still there are places you wont be cleaning with solutions.. like the leather... best is to park in the sun and roll your windows up so the heat will kill the virus.

[Mason Hatcher]

Just as a point of trivia, COVID-19 is the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2, or Coronavirus, AKA Novel Coronavirus.

[Rocky58]

You should not be letting anyone in your car that you do not live with. If you disinfect your hands before you get in the car and your family members do the same, there will be virtually no way your car would be more contaminated than any other surface in your house.

[rfranklin]

Ozone generators will kill airborne viruses. You can pick them up for about $60-80 on Amazon. Can use them to kill odors in general as well, but will need to air out the car after use.

[grocerylist]

Originally Posted by rfranklin

Ozone generators will kill airborne viruses. You can pick them up for about $60-80 on Amazon. Can use them to kill odors in general as well, but will need to air out the car after use.

Covid-19 isn't airborne.

[rfranklin]

Originally Posted by grocerylist

Covid-19 isn't airborne.

My bad. I misrepresented it. Ozone generators produce a gas that will kill viruses on surfaces as well. A lot of professional detailers are using them before and after details as a safety precaution.

[MarcoZandrini]

Originally Posted by rfranklin

My bad. I misrepresented it. Ozone generators produce a gas that will kill viruses on surfaces as well. A lot of professional detailers are using them before and after details as a safety precaution.

Good to know.

[Maynard]

Originally Posted by grocerylist

Covid-19 isn't airborne.

Yes I'm afraid that this COVID is actually airborne, but that is kind of irrelevant for inside a car, as airborne particles will dissipate in minutes (hours perhaps) but not as long as they live on surfaces (good news is that it seems to have fairly short lifespan). Ozone generators (the big industrial units) are great for odor removal or disinfecting, but kind of rough on interior materials; I don't think they are good to use repeatedly. The little in-car units should be considered to be an air freshener, not a decontamination unit. As noted above, best bet is don't share your ride w/ non-family unless you give it a 3-day 'mini-Q' as part of the transition.

[cooolone2]

Why? Are you transporting sick patients? Known carriers?

Otherwise, you're subjecting yourself to unnecessary anxiety! Just clean shoes and spray hands before entering and once again upon leaving the vehicle! Is easy!

[DannyM235]

GTechniq I2 Tri-Clean


https://www.autogeek.net/gtechniq-tri-clean.html

[MarcoZandrini]

Originally Posted by DannyM235

GTechniq I2 Tri-Clean


https://www.autogeek.net/gtechniq-tri-clean.html

According to the manufacturer it does kill coronavirus but has not been tested on covid19. Thanks for the info.