Did you know the average Canadian motorist spends between 10 and 15 hours each week in their car? Over the course of a year that is an astonishing 750 to 800 hours of driving time.
Many people don’t realize how dirty their car is and the health issues that can arise from being in the car so often. Because you are in a confined space, you inhale more dust and germ particles than you might realize. You need to keep your car clean to ensure that it is safe from dust mites, mold, and other germs, making sure you and your family are safe.
How Should Your Car Interior Be Cleaned?
In the time of COVID, cleaning the interior of your vehicle is especially important. There are a lot of high-touch areas inside your car which you frequently use that you may not even be aware of.
The interior of your car has tiny nooks and crevices that can make it easy for germs, bacteria, and viruses to breed. Hence, it's important to give surfaces a good wipe-down, especially areas you touch a lot. You might be surprised to see the amount of dirt and germs your cloth picks up. In addition, you need to pay attention to surfaces such as armrests, any display screens, cupholders, radio controls, gear shifter, and the biggest one is your steering wheel.
Did you know a steering wheel is four times more germ-riddled than an average toilet seat? Obviously, that fact alone makes it important to thoroughly clean the steering wheel. If you think about how many times you touch your steering wheel and how long your hands remain there, it can be an easy point of contamination.
Use Lysol or a similar disinfectant that kills bacteria and viruses on these high-touch areas at least once a week, more depending on how often you drive. Simple soap and water can also be effective, provided you wipe carefully.
Can You Develop Skin Cancer In Your Car?
The answer seems to be yes! Sunlight that comes into the driver's side of cars can contribute to the development of skin cancer on the left side of the face and body some new studies show.
Researchers examined over a thousand patients in the skin cancer unit at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. The researchers detected more left-sided skin cancers than right-sided which can be the cumulative effect of being exposed to the sun while driving.
To prevent this, consider using a window film that protects you from heat and UV radiation. These days, the film uses a nano-carbon ceramic film that can protect both you and your car’s interior from damaging sun rays.
Service the Air Conditioning Unit
Lastly, an important thing to remember is to keep the AC vents and the AC system itself clean and well-ventilated to prevent the spread of dust and germ molecules. Some bacteria, funguses, and viruses travel through air – including COVID – and can be spread through vents and coolants. You should also consider getting it serviced by professionals if you haven’t in the last year or so.
Conclusion
Your car may or not be a status symbol; maybe it’s just a mode of transportation to get you from place ‘A’ to place ‘B’. Regardless, you want your car to be clean, not only for aesthetic reasons but also for health and safety reasons. With the amount of time you spend travelling in your vehicle, you should ensure it’s free of dirt and germs.
Contact Tiago’s Auto Spa today to get your car detailed by experts. Having a detailed car will give you peace of mind that you, your family, and your friends are safe. As the number one auto detailing shop in Vancouver, we have several different detailing packages for your vehicle. Get in contact with us today!