Tips on How to Disinfect Your Cab
Truck drivers should always make it a priority to remain healthy on the road due to the sedentary lifestyle the profession presents. This means staying active when possible, getting plenty of nutrients, and keeping your vehicle clean. As essential workers, this is even more vital than ever before, since truck drivers are transporting goods amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to wearing a mask in public, truck drivers also need to take precautions and make sure the interior of the truck where they sit for hours is clean, as germs can accumulate there due to all the travel and exposure. Use these tips on how to disinfect your cab to make sure your truck is safe for the upcoming months.
Use Effective Disinfectant Wipes
First and foremost, the best way you can disinfect your cab is by using disinfectant wipes. The problem you may run into is finding the right kind of disinfectant that will kill most germs. Disinfectant wipes that are full-strength, 3% peroxide, and 70% rubbing alcohol can be effective. You can also look at the back of a disinfectant bottle and see if coronavirus is listed as one of the germs it can kill, just to be sure. In addition, you can use sprays or create a solution of your own with bleach, but using disinfectant wipes is by far the easiest option.
Wear Gloves
As you are cleaning disinfectant wipes, you will need to wear disposable gloves. Disinfectant wipes are full of chemicals that can be harmful to your skin, so it’s in your best interest to wear gloves when you are wiping down your cab. Plus, you don’t want to get all the germs that may be in you cab on yourself either. Once you are done wiping down everything with the wipe, make sure you throw out the gloves with the wipe and use a new one when you clean again in the future.
Wash Your Hands Before and After
Another precaution you should take when you are disinfecting your cab is a no brainer—wash your hands. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with warm water both prior to and after cleaning the cab. Washing your hands properly is the best line of defense against germs and is a necessary precaution to take when you are cleaning and in general. Keep this in mind after getting out of your vehicle when you are on a haul as well, because there’s no telling what kind of germs you might have encountered at a truck stop.
Have Hand Sanitizer Handy
Regardless of whether you are cleaning or not, you should always have hand sanitizer readily available in your cab. Hand sanitizer might not be as effective as washing your hands, but it’s the next best option when you don’t have access to a sink.
Wipe Down Every Surface
When you are wiping down the interior of your cab, make sure you wipe down every surface. While you will want to put more focus on areas where you touch prominently, such as the steering wheel and the gear shift, don’t forget about wiping down door handles, seat belts, and your keys either.
Disinfect Your Phone
One more item that you need to include on your disinfectant checklist is your phone. When you think about it, your phone might pose the biggest threat for germs since you carry it around with you everywhere you go. Therefore, your smartphone device needs to be a priority when it comes to items you need to make sure you wipe down properly. You should also disinfect any other devices that might be in your cab, such as a GPS device.
Clean the HVAC Unit
Another part of your truck’s cab that you will want to disinfect is the HVAC unit. Circulating air is another way for germs to spread around your truck and is an area many might forget to clean. To disinfect the HVAC unit, wipe down the vents and then clean the cabin filter, which is usually located behind the glove compartment. By cleaning your HVAC unit, you reduce the risk of even more germs lurking in your vehicle so you can breathe clean, safe, and healthy air.
Get Rid of Any Garbage
When you are sanitizing your cab, also be sure to get rid of any garbage. During a long-haul, you are sure to collect various items that are unnecessary but still remain in your truck. Take the time you are already spending cleaning your cab to remove these items, because there’s no telling how much germs they carry.
Use A Vacuum
You shouldn’t forget about your floors either, which is why a vacuum is another essential aspect of disinfecting your cab. Vacuuming will be able to take care of all the little crumbs and other small particles that might be in your cab. If you don’t have a vacuum, then you should scrub the carpet with a clean cloth to ensure that it’s clean and germ-free.
Get Seat Covers
To keep your cab as clean as possible, you may want to consider getting seat covers. Not only will seat covers make you more comfortable during long trips, but they will also make it easier to keep your seats clean. Just be sure to wash them regularly to ensure that they are germ-free. Seat covers can add an extra layer of protection to your seat, which is why you should consider getting one to avoid getting sick.
Make It A Habit
The number-one way to make sure that you keep up with cleaning is to make it a habit. You should ensure that your cab is clean at least once a week. By making it a habit, it becomes easier on you and your cab remains clean. By adopting these tips on how to disinfect your cab, you can make this happen and ensure that you remain healthy on the road.
In addition to your own well-being, you also need to think about the health of your truck. The best way to care for your truck is to keep up with maintenance such as regular cleaning, but there’s more to it than that. Truck maintenance also means making sure you perform regular checks on your truck’s various parts to ensure they are in good working order. If a part is ready to be replaced, you can count on Unitruck to have the highest quality aftermarket international truck parts you are looking for.
