How to Keep Your Car Clean On A Road Trip

You’ve got your playlists made, podcasts downloaded, your suitcases packed, and a car full of your favorite snacks. What could crush your road trip spirit? Well, nothing can ruin a vacation quite like a stomach bug. And between public restrooms, hotel beds, and the close quarters of your vehicle, you and your family could bring thousands of unwelcome germs along for the ride. Keep reading to learn how to keep your car clean on a road trip so you can stay healthy and enjoy your time away.

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HOW TO KEEP YOUR CAR CLEAN ON A ROAD TRIP

START WITH YOUR HANDS

The best way to keep a clean car is to prevent germs from entering in the first place. According to researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder, we carry about 150 different species of bacteria on one hand. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says to keep your hands clean by scrubbing with soap and water for 20 seconds. As an added layer of protection, follow up with hand sanitizer. You should also use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available. In addition, pay special attention to your children’s hands. Who knows what they could have touched while they were busy exploring at a rest stop!

START WITH A CLEAN CAR

Whether you’re driving down the coast of California or exploring Montana, keep in mind that a rental car can carry uncommon diseases. Your immune system might not be accustomed to the foreign germs and bacteria that you encounter in a rental car. Use a disinfecting product to kill germs, bacteria, and other infectious agents on high-touch surfaces. Next, it’s time to banish any odors.

One quick way to deodorize a rental car on the go is to use a product like the SafeSpace Automotive Disinfectant & Deodorizing Mist, which eliminates odor-producing organisms. A perfect time to do this would be while grabbing a bite to eat or while taking a bathroom break. After parking and removing all people and pets from the vehicle, sit in the driver’s seat and prop open the door. Shake the can well, and then spray the product directly into each vent for one to two seconds. Next, spray it on the the door handles, steering wheel, console, drink holders, and door mats for three to five seconds each. Finally, exit the vehicle and shut the doors, allowing the product to permeate for 15 – 20 minutes before reentering.

If you are taking your own car for your expedition, you’ll still want to make sure it is clean before your trip. After throwing away any trash you have collected in your vehicle, vacuum all of the dirt, pollen, and leftover snack crumbs out of your car. Then, wipe down the surfaces with a disinfectant wipe and finish it off with the SafeSpace Automotive Disinfecting & Deodorizing Mist.

Make A Stop at The Car Wash

Before hitting the road, swing by a car wash to free your vehicle of bugs, dirt, dust etc. All of these things can damage the paint on your car. If you are traveling long distance, you may need to stop again along the way to give your car a quick wash. You will feel much better traveling in a vehicle that is clean.

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THROW TRASH AWAY FREQUENTLY

Greasy fast food wrappers, empty water bottles, and dirty napkins can seem to accumulate and multiply out of nowhere. When you pack for your road trip, bring some plastic bags for storing trash. At every rest stop or while getting gas, ask your family to clean their area of the car by throwing away their trash and wiping down the surfaces around them. This works much better than waiting until the end of the day when everyone is ready to pile into the hotel room and retire for the night. Keep in mind that stale, sticky trash can harbor bacteria and release it into the air (source).