(April 10, 2020) Let’s face it: the coronavirus has us all worried. It’s affecting not only our daily lives but also our jobs and the larger economy, as well as taking over every article we read and news report we listen to. We know these are scary times of pandemic, but we also know that with a little reputable knowledge, you can do a lot to protect you and your loved ones.

A guide produced by The Truth About Insurance focuses specifically on sanitizing a vehicle against the coronavirus. Many of the same cleaners the CDC and EPA recommend for sanitizing your home are perfect for protecting your car against coronavirus. Remember that the CDC recommends cleaning products with alcohol solutions of at least 70 percent.

And also be sure to cleanse those often touched, but often overlooked parts of your vehicle featured in the graphic below.



Heed this important warning about your vehicle from Consumer Reports:
“Whatever you do, don’t use bleach or hydrogen peroxide on the inside of your car…they will likely damage your car’s upholstery. And do not use ammonia-based cleaners on car touch screens, as they can damage their anti-glare and anti-fingerprint coatings.”

What if you can’t find effective disinfectants in the store?

As people begin to hoard cleaning supplies, disinfectants for your car or home might become hard to find or prohibitively expensive. But don’t worry; you can easily make your own effective disinfectants.

Here’s a really simple recipe to make a powerful bleach disinfectant spray from stuff you probably already have at home:

    •    Start with a quart of water in an empty spray bottle
    •    Add 4 teaspoons of bleach to the bottle
    •    Shake the bottle vigorously
    •    Spray on any bleach-safe surface to disinfect
    •    Let the disinfectant sit for 10 minutes
    •    Wipe away with a wet cloth

Just remember to use bleach only where it won’t damage surfaces. This is especially important if you plan on using it in your vehicle, where bleach can damage certain textures and fabrics.