A car's steering wheel has four times more bacteria than a toilet seat because most people clean their bathrooms more regularly than they clean their cars. (Shutterstock) A car's steering wheel has four times more bacteria than a toilet seat because most people clean their bathrooms more regularly than they clean their cars. (Shutterstock)

As the world hunkers down to ride out the novel coronavirus crisis, some of us still need to venture out, even if it is just to do a quick grocery run. When you do go out, follow these driving safety tips to stay safe on the roads and minimize your risk of picking up the virus.

Disinfect your vehicle

Your hands touch a lot of things every day and any germs you and your passengers pick up get transferred to your car. According to a study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), a car's steering wheel has four times more bacteria than a toilet seat. That's because most people clean their toilets more regularly than they clean their cars. The study found that only 32% of car owners regularly clean and sanitize their cars.

Disinfectants that contain at least 70% alcohol are effective in killing coronavirus. Wipe surfaces like door handles, the dashboard, steering wheel, gear selector, signal lever, electric window buttons, stereo buttons, infotainment displays, armrests, AC controls and vents, cup holders, and the glove compartment. Avoid using chemicals like bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and ammonia-based products as these will damage your car's interior.

Can't find hand sanitizer?

But what if you can't find sanitizer and wipes at the grocery store, or you're on a shipping waiting list? That's has been a problem for so many consumers these days.

Helen Boehm Johnson, MD, physician and consultant in the infection prevention and control field, recommends using microfiber cloths to clean your vehicle. She says, "Their split fiber design creates a larger surface area for microbe removal. Plus, the net positive charge generated when they're used attracts negatively-charged dirt and microorganisms."

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