The COVID-19 crisis has brought into sharp focus the need for effective vehicle cleaning and sanitizing. It has never been more important to ensure that a vehicle interior is hygienically clean, not only for the safety of customers, but also to protect workshop staff.

Effectively cleaning and sanitizing is now essential, both prior to and after working on a vehicle and also represents a new area of business opportunity for garages and bodyshops. However, the approach a workshop takes when it comes to cleaning often leaves much to be desired, both in terms of the processes and the inappropriate products.

One company that has been fully engaged with garages and dealerships across Ireland about COVID-19 vehicle cleaning in recent weeks is BG Products Ireland, a well established and respected automotive maintenance services equipment and product provider. Ciaran Leyden of BG says that many workshops are risking damage to both their customer’s cars and staff health by using inappropriate cleaning products and the wrong cleaning protocols. 

Ciaran comments, “I have visited many garages since Coronavirus became an issue in Ireland and whilst the vast majority quickly recognised the importance of cleaning, I have been shocked by the type of materials they sometimes use. Modern vehicle interior surfaces are often both sensitive and potentially very expensive to replace and the use of highly aggressive and corrosive cleaners can cause serious damage to leathers, fabrics, vinyls and plastics.”

For surface cleaning, BG recommends the use of Huwa-San TR3. This is a WHO approved anti-bacterial cleaner that is effective against Coronavirus, but is also an ecologically safe broad spectrum disinfectant. Ciaran says, “Huwa-San TR3 is a very effective and easy to use cleaner that will kill viruses, but without potential damage to interior vehicle surfaces. It is non-toxic, non-hazardous and non-corrosive, so it is safe for staff and you don’t have to worry about customers coming back with damage or discoloured interior surfaces.”

For general sanitizing of a vehicle interior and the removal of viruses, the use of Ozone machines has become popular very rapidly with workshops and car sales outlets. Ciaran says this is a sensible way for automotive businesses to make vehicle interiors clean and safe and also represents an area of significant business potential. However, he also points out that garages need to be careful of how these machines are used. He comments, “The key to use of ozone generators is for the area be unoccupied by people, pets and plants. Too much ozone can be dangerous to people, so the correct use of equipment is vital.”

The Uvonair 5000 Ozone System available from BG Ireland purifies the air in a vehicle, neutralises odours and kills bacteria and viruses. It will emit sufficient ozone for effective cleaning and sanitation, through a process that is safe for both staff and vehicle occupants.

BG also addresses two often overlooked aspects of vehicle cleaning and sanitation with simple, economical and highly effective products. Firstly, the frequent changing of cabin filters is a practice that most garages are embracing in the face of Coronavirus. This is important, but as Ciaran points out, its effect can often be negated because of contamination of the filter housing. He says, “If the area around the filter and the vents remain dirty and harbouring bacteria then the effect of the filter change is more limited.  This is why we always recommend cleaning these areas with our highly effective 2027 Pollen and air vent alcohol.”

Secondly, Ciaran says that when servicing and cleaning vehicle air-con systems it is vital to pay special attention to the evaporator. BG offers Frigi-Clean an aerosol spray that removes accumulated bacteria, mould, spores, road grime, nicotine oil, and debris and restores heating/cooling efficiency of the system. This will mean cleaner fresher and safer air within the vehicle.

Ciaran says that with vehicle cleaning and sanitizing now more vital than ever it is important that workshops use the right products and process. He comments, “The BG Ireland team can visit workshops demonstrate products and advise on best practices which suit their needs.” He adds, “This is an issue that is here to stay, so it is important that businesses adopt the right approach now. We are here to help with advice, support, training and economical pricing on trusted products and process that get very effective results.”