Does a vehicle interior promote the transfer of illness such as colds, flu, or maybe even Covid-19?

According to Mike Ruff’s article in Garage Wire Magazine, Dirty car interiors found to be more germ-ridden than a toilet seat confirms yes. The article noted that based on John Ward’s study, a professor of synthetic biology at University College of London noted cup holders were the worst areas for bacteria build-up, and oh those dash board button cooties and highly-touched areas such as doors, seat belt holders, and of course the actual steering wheel itself. Toilet seats were found to have a level of 50 bacteria per square inch, whereas vehicles have between 2,000 to 4,000 per square inch. Yikes!

Auto Detailers take great pride in bringing out the best shine to a paint surface, or as it is known, paint correction for better reflection, and topping their good work with a long lasting protection coating such as sealants or ceramic coatings.  However, all vehicles have an interior, and that is where people spend their time. It is not uncommon for a detailer to spend more time on the interior than exterior, and people love to get into a vehicle that looks as good as it did when it was new or maybe better.

When choosing a detailer make sure the interior cleaning is more than a vacuum and a wipe down of surfaces with some shiny oily substance that will catch all future dust. If they are not using compressed air to blow out carpets, seats, vents of debris, and  a disinfection process, get another quote.

In these questionable times, it is best to start the interior detail with a fogging procedure with a product like The Warrior, an OR rated and food safe product that is placed on all interior surfaces and allowed to dwell for at least 10 minutes. See photo above of detailer in a PPF suit wearing both goggles and respirator.

After the fogging, all personal items in the vehicle should be removed (maybe before delivery to detail shop would be best), bagged and boxed to be placed back in vehicle upon completion. Some detailers will not clean out vehicle consuls, glove boxes, etc  without owner’s permission. Once all garbage is removed from vehicle, a good vacuum will pick up the big debris, then a thorough use of an air gun will bring more dirt to the surface that you would wonder if it was vacuumed at all.  Notice all the various tools in the photo that will allow the detailer to get into all nooks and crannies where the cooties are hiding. Good interior cleaners with assistance of brushes, microfiber towels and fine air guns will clean out the seams, and don’t forget those seatbelt receivers.  

The upholstery, carpets and mats require several cleaners, brushes and well served with extra devices of an extractor or maybe steam cleaner.  As to which is better, an extractor or steamer, is like men discussing whether briefs or boxer shorts are better. As for this detailer, I remember that adding water to dirt makes mud pies and this is reason more time is spent with use of vacuums and air guns or as I like to call it, vehicle dry cleaning. High pressured steamers clean fabrics very well. The key to good cleaning is to dry the vehicle completely to avoid frosting up over the winter. This time of the year it is best to add heaters overnight to assure vehicle is completely dry.

Cleaning the headliner of a vehicle must be a gentle clean so the adhesive glue is not disturbed. Special attention must be given to grease marks and those spare tire marks caused by placing them wrongly in the back seat or SUV cargo areas. Speaking of spare tires, if the spare tire is carried inside the vehicle the tire should be removed, cleaned, and spare tire wheel well thoroughly cleaned.  

All plastics once cleaned should be protected by a matt finish UV protector product to extend the good appearance of interior.  Hard to believe but many detailers don’t always check the cabin air filter and replace it if found not up to the job of protecting the passengers from harmful air entering through the vents (see photo of filters).

Vents also need a good spray of disinfectant and cleaners to finish off the work. Glass interior should always form part of the detail, and don’t forget to drop the window down a few inches first to clean the area that is hidden by rubber moldings, allowed to dry, then up the window for complete cleaning.

Additional consideration of maybe an air freshener spray, or for more stinky vehicles, the use of chlorine dioxide fogging or ozone machine to rid smoke smells or other unpleasant odors.

WOW Auto Detailing

67 Vulcan Avenue, Sydney NS B1P 5W7

(902) 562-4969