How to Disinfect a Car 101: Lexus’ Guide to Safer Driving
New guide reveals how to properly clean and disinfect high-touch areas in interior and on exterior of a vehicle.
Taking the necessary precautions to protect friends, family, and strangers from the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 will help reduce the spread of the illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Experts recommend social distancing, thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, and regularly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. The CDC also recommends that you wear disposable gloves when disinfecting surfaces and that you discard them immediately after use.
Now, Lexus is stepping in to help drivers with a guide on products that you can use to clean and disinfect high-touch areas in the interior and on the exterior of a vehicle.
Vehicle Interior/Exterior Cleaning and Disinfecting Procedures
Cleaning:
Refers to the removal of dirt and impurities, including germs, from surfaces. Cleaning alone does not kill germs. But by removing the germs, it decreases their number and therefore any risk of spreading infection.
Disinfection:
Works by using chemicals, for example EPA-registered disinfectants, to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs. But killing germs remaining on a surface after cleaning further reduces any risk of spreading infection.
Cleaning and Disinfecting Guidelines
Cleaning:
• Use products and procedures for cleaning the vehicle as found in the vehicle manuals.
• Follow the instructions on those products for use including any instructions to wear gloves or other personal
protective equipment (PPE).
Disinfection:
• Use appropriate material(s) for the disinfection of high-touch areas. The disinfection products in the “Suitable Disinfecting Product Types” have been selected for their compatibility with Lexus vehicle exteriors and interiors and based on current guidelines of the CDC and EPA.
• Follow the instructions on those products for use including any instructions to wear gloves or other PPE.
• Focus on the high touch areas shown below and any other surfaces that may have been touched
Key Interior Touch-point Areas:
- Interior Door Levers/Window & Door Lock Controls
- Upper Door Trims/Armrest
- Power Seat Switches
- HVAC Vents/Controls
- Steering Wheel/Buttons
- Lower IP Various Buttons
- Ignition Switch
- Multifunction Levers
- Radio Various Buttons
- Center Console & Glove Box Button/Handle
- Cup Holders
- Shift Lever
- Seat Belt Adjusters/Buckles/Locks
- Seats if Necessary
- Inner Mirror/Visors/Assist Handles/Moonroof Shade Handle/Maps Lamps & Various Buttons (SOS/Homelink/Sunroof)
Key Exterior Touch-point Areas:
- All Exterior Handles
- Fuel Lid/Gas Cap
- Trunk or Tailgate Button/Pull
- Key fob
- Front Hood Area/Lever (if the vehicle is serviced)
