Getting Started with Car Care – Car Wash, Car Detailing & Car Sanitization

Car wash, car detailing, or car sanitization? 

When it comes to car care, it’s vital to understand the difference between the three as they serve different purposes. A common misconception is that washing and detailing more or less mean the same thing, when in fact, they’re quite different from one another.  
 
Car wash – A proper car wash will take care of visible dust, debris, and other contaminants with the use of a brush and a soap wash. This is the easiest process and can be done regularly to maintain the general appearance of your vehicle.  
 
Car detailing – Car detailing is a purely cosmetic service that helps to restore your car’s original exterior. The meticulous process entails washing, polishing, waxing, and buffing to make your vehicle look like it’s brand new. 
 
Car sanitization – A car sanitization service is a new offering that aims to combat the risk of viral infections by eliminating viruses, germs, and other contaminants in the car. The disinfection process is used in the car’s interiors. All the surfaces that are touched the most get thoroughly sanitized to ensure your vehicle is safe for travelling.  

Since car sanitization is the new service being implemented as part of all car care and maintenance services, our guide will focus on how you can get started with car sanitisation at home.   

How to carry out car sanitization by yourself at home 

Step 1 – Disinfect the door handles 

Your door handles are the first thing you come in contact with, when using your car. It’s especially vital to sanitize your door handles since you frequently touch them when you’re driving out and about. 

Step 2 – Sanitize your steering wheel and gearbox 

Once you’re inside the car, these two objects are the most obvious when it comes to disinfection. Since you’re almost always in contact with the steering wheel and the lever used to shift gears, spend more time trying to disinfect them as much as possible. 

Step 3 – Disinfect the dashboard, switches, and the A/C grill 

While you don’t come in contact with the dashboard too often, it houses a lot of elements that you touch during the course of your drives. Whether it’s the various switches present around, or it’s the A/C grills that need readjusting now and then, disinfecting them will ensure that the surrounding area is clean.  

Step 4 – Sanitize the main touchscreen console/radio unit 

Whether you have a newer car that houses a touchscreen console, or you have an older car with an FM system, the area will get frequently touched as you change songs, modes, settings etc. Give the general area, including all the buttons, a good wipe down to disinfect it thoroughly.  

Step 5 – Disinfect all the seats 

Although the level and type of contact are different, it’s a good idea to disinfect your seats as well. If you happen to travel with a passenger, make sure you disinfect their side as well. You can clean the door, any handles surrounding the seat, and the seat itself for this.  

While you can do some mild car sanitization by yourself at home, for ideal results, it’s always best to leave it to the experts. At ServiceMyCar, we’ve introduced a car sanitization service to help you with all your disinfection and car interior safety needs.  

Our services also extend to include car wash and car detailing too, so we have all your car care needs covered. Request a quote today on our website or the ServiceMyCar app.