Car cleaning is essential to ensure deep cleaning and the elimination of dirt, bacteria, dust mites and unpleasant odors inside the vehicle.
Much more than a simple wash, this process involves thoroughly cleaning the interior, including seats, carpets, upholstery and even the air conditioning system.
Unlike washing, which can be more superficial, sanitizing focuses on disinfecting and preserving the health of the occupants.
Find out how to sanitize your car and what the price is if you opt for professional sanitization.
What Is Car cleaning?
Car sanitizing is a deep-cleaning process to remove dirt, fungus, mites and bacteria that may exist on the seats, upholstery or other internal parts of the car.
In order to sanitize correctly, the vehicle’s internal components, such as the seats and car mats, are usually removed.
In addition to these accessories, it is important that the air conditioning filters and inner linings of the glove compartment or other compartments are also sanitized.
What Are The Different Types Of Car Cleans?
There are several types of car cleaning:
- Simple Cleaning: this is a quick wash of the exterior of the car and the interior is only vacuumed;
- Complete Cleaning: includes the exterior of the car, the engine, the underside of the vehicle and vacuuming the interior;
- Clean and Polish: the vehicle is completely cleaned and the exterior polished.
- Dry Cleaning: this is a more ecological way of cleaning the car, where products are sprayed all over the vehicle and specific cloths are used to dry and polish it;
- Steam Cleaning: removes stains from car upholstery and restores the shine of the paintwork;
- Sanitizing: thoroughly disinfects all areas inside the car.
Is Car Washing And Sanitizing The Same Thing?
Although they are often confused, car washing and sanitizing are not the same thing.
Find out the main differences below.
What’s The Difference Between Car Sanitizing And Car Washing?
Car washing focuses on cleaning the exterior and, in some cases, vacuuming and superficially cleaning the interior.
Sanitizing, on the other hand, goes much further. It involves the use of car sanitizing equipment and specific products to thoroughly disinfect all internal areas.
Even so, in many cases, washing precedes sanitizing. In other words, stains and dirt are removed with water and the rest of the cleaning is done chemically.
How Often Should A Car Be Cleaned?
Car cleaning should be done at least every 6 months.
This not only creates a cleaner, more hazard-free environment, but also keeps the interior of the car well maintained.
If you transport passengers regularly, take care to sanitize more often.
Why Is It Important To Sanitize Your Car Regularly?
Sanitizing your car regularly not only improves its appearance and therefore its value, it also indirectly protects the health of its occupants.
Car sanitizing removes allergens, germs and other impurities that accumulate over time, especially in hard-to-reach places such as seats and under carpets.
The equipment must be able to clean deeply without damaging the materials inside the vehicle.
What Equipment Is Needed To Sanitize Cars?
To carry out effective car sanitizing, you need a car cleaning kit with a range of equipment such as high-powered vacuum cleaners, steam cleaners and microfiber cloths.
Steam cleaners are particularly effective, as they eliminate bacteria and dust mites without the need for harsh chemicals.
What Products Are Recommended For Cleaning Cars?
Car cleaning products include car disinfectants, upholstery cleaners and special liquids for plastics, leather and synthetics.
The formula of these products makes it possible to remove stubborn stains and eliminate odors without damaging surfaces.
However, don’t forget that it’s important to use the right products for each material, otherwise you could damage them.
Is Steam Cleaning More Effective Than Traditional Cleaning?
Steam cleaning and sanitizing cars has become increasingly popular because it is an effective and environmentally friendly solution.
Unlike traditional methods that rely on chemicals, steam can penetrate deep into materials and eliminate up to 99% of bacteria and dust mites.
What’s more, this method leaves surfaces dry more quickly and avoids the excessive use of water and chemicals.
How Do You Clean A Car Like A Professional?
To sanitize cars at home, you must be careful not to compromise the car’s internal and electrical components. To do this, you must:
- Vacuum the entire interior, including under the carpets and between the seats;
- Clean the upholstery with suitable products, such as fabric, nappa or leather cleaning sprays;
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as the steering wheel and handles;
- Sanitize the air conditioning with a specific disinfectant spray to eliminate odors and bacteria from the system;
- Use an odor eliminator, especially in vehicles carrying animals or children.
How To Sanitize A Car’s Air Conditioning?
As it is often used to regulate humidity or to cool the interior of the car, sanitizing the car’s air conditioning is essential to eliminate dust mites, bacteria and accumulated odors.
To do this at home, use a disinfectant spray specifically for car air conditioning systems. Apply the product directly to the vents while the system is on, to ensure that the product circulates throughout the circuit.
Although the sanitizing process can be simple, it is recommended that you seek professional sanitization.
What Services Are Included In A Professional Car Cleaning?
A professional car cleaning includes various services, such as:
- Complete vacuuming of the interior;
- Deep cleaning of seats, upholstery and carpet;
- Sanitization of the air conditioning system;
- Disinfection of all contact surfaces;
- Removal of persistent odors.
These services guarantee deep and safe cleaning, using suitable and professional products.
How Long Does It Take To Fully Clean A Car?
The time needed to thoroughly sanitize a car can vary between 1 and 3 hours, depending on the level of dirt and the type of services performed.
For very dirty vehicles or those with stubborn stains, the process can take a little longer.
How Much Does Car Cleaning Cost?
The price of a car sanitization can vary from tens to hundreds of euros, depending on the size of the vehicle and the depth of the service.
For example, larger vehicles, such as SUVs, and specialized services, such as car air conditioning cleaning, can increase the cost. However, this investment is essential to keep your car’s interior clean and safe.
Maintenance Tips To Keep Your Car Cleaning Interior
Once you’ve cleaned and disinfected your car, it’s essential to maintain some habits to keep it clean.
To this end, you should carry out the following tasks regularly:
- Vacuum the interior regularly to prevent dust and dirt from accumulating;
- Use rubber mats to protect the floor of the vehicle;
- Avoid eating in the car to minimize spills and stains;
- Use car air fresheners to keep the environment fresh.
If you follow these tips, you’ll be able to keep your car’s interior clean for longer, reducing the need for frequent cleaning.
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