Savvy Motoring from Ford Direct Markets: Cleaning, Sanitising, and Disinfecting

Every Ford is built to a high standard – from its small cars to large SUVs and towering trucks – but its sleek designs, advanced safety and driver assist technologies, or even the F-150’s high strength aluminum-alloy body, won’t protect you from unseen virus-spreading germs. While adhering to any lock-down, curfew, or working from home recommendations, why not take some time to clean, sanitise, and disinfect your vehicle’s interior.

Knowing the Difference
Cleaning physically removes germs with soap and water, but does not kill them. Sanitising lowers the number of germs and kills bacteria, and thus the risk of spreading infection. Disinfecting uses chemicals to kill bacteria, viruses and fungi, further complementing the cleaning and sanitising.

What to Use
Motorcraft offers a wide array of cleaning products available at your local Ford dealer or Ford service centre, which are all safe for your vehicle’s interior. Be sure to choose a disinfecting spray. Household cleaning products contain ingredients like bleach, acetone, chlorine, and ammonia, which will damage the interior materials and paint of your vehicle. To take disinfecting your vehicle to the next level, purchase a disinfectant germ fogger.

How to Use
When cleaning using detailing products, do not spray directly onto surfaces like the dashboard. Spray products into a microfibre towel and then apply to the surface. While you’re at it, take the dirt from fabric seats and headliner with a quick vacuum. If you have access to a wet vacuum with shampoo it will garner better results. And don’t forget a quick wash of regularly-touched exterior surfaces, specifically door handles.

What About Leather?
Try the product of your choice – again, free of harmful ingredients like bleach, acetone, chlorine, and ammonia – at the rear portion of the steering wheel and wait for its effects to the materialise. If there is no stain, or any discoloration on the leather you can continue using the product. Much like using the detailing products, DO NOT spray onto the surface, but spray into a clean microfibre towel and gently apply the product. 

Disinfecting
You’re now ready to disinfect your vehicle. Hard surfaces like plastic buttons and knobs can be wiped down with a bleach-free disinfectant wipe, or spritz your disinfecting spray onto a microfibre cloth. Given how often you probably interact with your infotainment screen, be it a SYNC-enabled touchscreen or otherwise, opt for an electronic-specific non-toxic device-cleaning wipe.

Where to Use
This list might seem extensive, but it’s by no means comprehensive. Anything you find yourself touching throughout your day should be wiped down, and a solid place to start is to think of the first thing you touch as you approach your Ford, to the last thing when you touch when before getting out.
 

1. Key FOB
2. Exterior Door Handle
3. Interior Door Handle
4. Lock and Unlock Buttons and Interior Door Release 
5. Seatbelt and Seatbelt Buckle. Also include the release button!
6. Push-to-Start Button, or Ignition Area
7. Rearview Mirror, and Automatic Side Mirror Buttons
8. HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) Buttons
9. Radio Buttons and Knobs or SYNC Touchscreen 
10. Gear Selector 
11. Parking Brake Lever 
12. Steering Wheel and Wheel Mounted Buttons
13. Signal and Wiper Stalk
14. Headlights Knob
15. Centre Console and Cup Holders

Other areas to disinfect

• Window Buttons
• 4WD or Terrain Management System (TMS) Rotary Knob
• Glove Compartment Handle
• Tailgate/Hatch Release and Power Close Button
• Power Folding Third Row Buttons 
• Fuel Cap

After you have finished cleaning and disinfecting your Ford, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly. If disinfecting your vehicle sounds all too intimidating to you, however, you can always visit a detailing shop near you, or contact your local Ford Service Centre for help.