General Motors Offers Tips for Effectively Cleaning Your Car

It’s important to remember that every time you enter your vehicle, chances are new bacteria and germs are being introduced.

Coronavirus and other germs can live on some of the surfaces of your car, so it’s important to periodically sterilize surfaces that you touch often, such as the steering wheel, window controls, HVAC and infotainment system and door handles.

Washing hands and cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces are two of the best ways to defend against spreading the coronavirus, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Some cleaners can damage the surfaces and materials in your car, so it’s important to use the proper cleaning products.

Here are some tips for cleaning and sterilising the interior of your vehicle:

What Surfaces Need Cleaning?

• The main areas to tend to are the steering wheel, wiper and turn signal stalks, passenger and driver door armrests, grab handles, seat adjusters, ignition button, shift lever and any buttons or touch screens.
• When it comes to sanitizing your vehicle, almost all the surfaces can be cleaned with alcohol-based cleaners to kill germs and protect the interior. This safely includes plastic trims, painted chrome, imitation leather and even cloth upholstery can be rubbed with alcohol to clean it. Use a microfiber cloth with the alcohol-based cleaner for the safest and most effective cleaning of interior vehicle surfaces.
• When it comes to genuine leather interiors, rubbing the leather gently with soap and water is recommended, rather than an alcohol-based cleaner, which can crack and discolour leather over time. After cleaning leather, it is recommended that you use a leather conditioner to maintain the material.
• Avoid any scented wipes and wipes containing bleach as they have proven to damage screens and leather.

The Most Effective Cleaning Supplies

• According to WHO, alcohol-based cleaners with at least 70% alcohol are effective in killing the coronavirus. 
• Alcohol-based cleaners are safe to use on almost every surface in a vehicle interior and will effectively wipe away most germs and fingerprints. In fact, most auto manufacturers use alcohol-based cleaners to clean vehicles before shipping them to customers.
• If you don’t have an alcohol-based cleaner, soap and water will also work on most vehicle surfaces.
• Never use bleach, peroxide or ammonia-based cleaners because these can break down some materials in your vehicle, causing permanent damage.
• Your owner’s manual should have information on the type of materials that are used throughout the vehicle, such as whether you have imitation or genuine leather. If you still aren’t sure, contact your dealer, who can provide you with the information.