According to a study performed by the University of Birmingham in England, interiors of cars contain alarming amounts of bacteria. These germs are potentially dangerous to your health. So, if you don't already, it might be time to make cleaning your car's interior part of your routine maintenance schedule.
Study Finds Vehicle Interiors Are Full of Bacteria
Microbiology researchers at the University of Birmingham believe the inside of your car is a nest for germs. Here are some of the shocking findings from their study.
The researchers weren't too surprised by their findings because vehicle interiors are frequently exposed to moisture and heat. Bacteria and fungi favour these conditions. Also, people track dirt, mud, grim into their vehicles, and many eat in their cars as well.
Because these bacteria are dangerous to your health and can trigger illness, this study highlights just how important it is to regularly clean and disinfect all of the surfaces in your car's interior.
Cleaning Your Car's Interior
Car interior cleaning services can be expensive. All you really need is a can-do attitude and a little elbow grease. Here are some tips for cleaning your car's interior.
Step 1: Vacuum the Floor and Seats
You'll want something high-powered like a shop vacuum, or you can head to a car wash with coin-operated ones. A good tip is to remove your floor mats and shake them out before starting. All you need to do is be thorough and make sure you get every nook and cranny.
Step 2: Cleaning the Floors and Upholstery
After you have vacuumed, it's time to attack the trouble spots on the seats and floors. For carpet/fabric upholstery, you'll need cleaner or stain remover designed for it. And for leather, you'll need a special leather cleaner. Just follow the directions on the cleaner you choose.
Step 3: Cleaning the Dashboard and Door Panels
Start by dusting and wiping down the areas with a cloth. Next, apply vinyl cleaner to another cloth and wipe the surfaces (or leather cleaner if it applies). Don't forget about the steering wheel. You can use a window cleaner on a separate cloth for all plastic surfaces. Finally, most experts recommend that you remove excess moisture with a new cloth.
Step 4: The Windows
Last but not least are the windows. Wiping them down inside and out with a cloth and glass cleaner is all there is to it. Some cleaners even contain a water repelling formula that will come in handy the next time there is precipitation. Not only will this make sure your car looks clean, it will also improve visibility.
The Bottom Line
The study from the University of Birmingham shows just how important the cleanliness of your vehicle's interior is. Make sure that you take some time now and then to give it a little tender loving care.
But maybe you need to buy a car first before you can start to worry about how clean the interior is. If you need to get approved for auto loan financing, Canada Auto Loan can help even if you have dinged credit.
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