While there are Americans who believe that the Covid-19 pandemic isn’t serious or, worse, a hoax, we strongly recommend taking the recommended safety measures! You can never too safe with the 119,000+ Covid-19 deaths, and this applies to car rentals.
You shouldn’t be complacent about the sanitization procedures performed by Hertz even when these seem sufficient. You should always do your own sanitization of a rented car’s interiors. The good news: It only requires readily available cleaning supplies and it takes less than half an hour.
Use Isopropyl Alcohol
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol solutions with 70% alcohol concentration are effective against coronavirus. Most of a car’s interior surfaces can also be sanitized using isopropyl alcohol.
And it’s affordable and available in supermarkets, pharmacies and drug stores, too! Depending on the size of your rented car, you will only need a large bottle of isopropyl alcohol. Don’t think about the extra expense but think of the extra protection that you will have against the coronavirus.
You can wipe every surface of car’s interior with isopropyl alcohol, from the painted chrome and plastic trim to the imitation leather. Don’t worry about it ruining the imitation leather since it has urethane coatings that will withstand the alcohol.
Tip: If you’re sanitizing your own car, you shouldn’t use alcohol frequently since it can leave the imitation leather vulnerable to discoloration and damage.
Never Use Hydrogen Peroxide and Bleach
Whatever you do, you should never use hydrogen peroxide and bleach on a car’s interiors! These are, of course, effective products for sanitization purposes but aren’t suitable for imitation leather, painted chrome and plastic. If you use them, you will likely discolor the upholstery and it can be a reason for the car rental company to ask for damages.
Never use ammonia-based cleaners on a car’s digital touchscreen controls, too. Otherwise, the anti-fingerprint and anti-glare coatings on them can also be damaged.
Use Soap and Water Instead
Oftentimes, the best sanitizing products are the simplest and it’s true for the use of soap and water. Basically, the soap-and-water combination destroys the protective envelope that surrounds coronaviruses. As a result, the coronaviruses are effectively disarmed and rendered powerless.
Just combine a mild soap, such as Ivory soap, and warm water. Use a clean rag to wipe the water-resistant surfaces except the digital controls.
Before and after sanitizing the interiors of a rented car, you should thoroughly wash your hands. You should also wear gloves and mask while cleaning to minimize your exposure to the pathogens inside the car.
