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Should you clean and disinfect your car, truck or SUV?


In March, the Center for Disease Control – CDC – said that the Coronavirus can live on solid surfaces for four days. It’s now indicated that they’re not so sure about that. What should you do when the experts aren’t quite sure? 


To be safe, it probably wouldn’t hurt to clean and disinfect surfaces you and your family frequently come into contact with. This includes inside your home, as well as the doorknobs on entranceway doors. But what about your car, truck or SUV? You and your loved ones come into contact with the surfaces inside your car, truck or SUV, as well as the door handles on the outside.


You also come into contact with the gas-filler door and cap, the trunk lid and, if you’re checking your car’s engine oil as often as you should, you’re also coming into contact with the hood latch, the dipstick and the oil-filler cap. 


The CDC gives some specific tips on cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that would apply when cleaning and disinfecting your car, truck or SUV, including:

  • Wearing disposable gloves while cleaning and disinfecting your car, truck or SUV
  • Consider eye and skin protection to avoid having infected cleaner splash in your eyes or on your skin
  • Make sure that you have sufficient ventilation while cleaning your car, truck or SUV – to disinfect, you’re cleaning with products that can cause toxins in the air around you
  • Use room-temperature water (unless a cleaning product indicates otherwise)
  • DO NOT MIX different cleaning products – not sure what kind of reaction you’ll get
  • Keep disinfecting products out of reach of children and pets
  • People with asthma or other conditions that could be affected by cleaning products should take additional precautions


The CDC also provides information on using bleach for cleaning and disinfecting your car, truck or SUV:

  • With 5.25-8.25% sodium Hypochlorite
  • Ensure you have proper ventilation
  • Make contact with the surface you’re disinfecting for at least one minute
  • Do Not use bleach if it is past its expiration date
  • Mix 5-Tablespoons/1/3rd Cup per gallon of water
  • The solution is effective to clean and disinfect your car, truck or SUV for 24 hours


During this time of COVID-19, your car, truck and SUV still require the maintenance and repairs they need without a pandemic. Fortunately, many auto repair services are providing sanitary concierge pick-up and drop-off service. They’ll come to your home or office, pick up the vehicle, perform the repairs and/or service and return it to you in a sanitary condition.


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Location: McHenry, IL, USA

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