COVID-19 Information from Facilities

• Only one person per vehicle.
• Before vehicle use, perform vehicle inspections, including wipe down of high touch surfaces.
• After use, wipe down high touch surfaces.
• Keep windows open for ventilation when possible.
• Gloves are recommended to be worn when practicable.
• Be mindful of the cleaning / disinfecting agents used on vehicles to avoid inadvertently damaging the interior or exterior.
• Many of the same household cleaners (such as non-bleach, unscented, non chlorinated disinfectant cleaners and wipes) that kill coronaviruses on hard surfaces at home can also clean most car interiors without causing damage.
• Alcohol solutions that contain at least 70 percent alcohol are effective against coronavirus, according to the CDC. Nearly every interior surface of a vehicle can be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol.
• Vigorous washing with soap and water can also destroy a coronavirus. Soap and water are safe for most car interiors. Be careful not to saturate the surfaces.
• Consult the cleaning directions provided in the Vehicle Owners’ Manual.
• Follow the cleaning agent manufacturer’s product label guidance for the recommended disinfecting procedure, as guidance varies by cleaning product. Read all instructions and precautions of the materials being utilized and follow all safety recommendations when utilizing cleaning products to ensure personal safety.
• When using wipes, remove excess liquid before wiping surfaces, especially electrical components and touch screens.
• Test selected cleaning agent in an inconspicuous location.
• Walk instead of drive when possible.
• For exterior car wash, request car wash ticket from Fleet@lbl.gov (available once per month)

Sample Vehicle High Touch Areas:

• Car keys and fobs
• Door handles, door latches and lock buttons
• Steering wheel
• Shift lever
• Any buttons or touch screens (radios, mirror adjusters, climate controls, etc)
• Wiper and turn signal stalks
• Center console and cup holders
• Driver and passenger armrests and seat belts, grab handles, and seat adjusters
• Headrests and seat pockets

What to Avoid:

• Don’t use bleach or hydrogen peroxide on the inside of your car.
• Don’t use scented wipes or wipes containing bleach.
• Don’t use ammonia-based cleaners on car touch screens or dashboards, as they can damage anti-glare and anti-fingerprint coatings.
• Never combine cleaning chemicals as doing so may lead to toxicity.

Other Suggestions:

• Wash your hands before and after driving.
• Wear gloves when possible outside of your vehicle, especially when fueling. Pumps, keypads and other surfaces are frequently touched and may not have been sanitized recently.
• Consider using your knuckles rather than fingertips to touch common use contact areas.
• When finished driving the vehicle for the day, thoroughly wipe down the vehicle with disinfectant wipes or other appropriate cleaning solutions.
• For pool vehicles, keep wipes at vehicle check out as well as inside vehicle.

Some Cleaners that are Safe for Vehicles:

• Saginaw by Clorox
• Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner by Clorox
• Clorox Disinfecting Wipes by Clorox
• Clorox Commercial Solutions Clorox Disinfecting Spray by Clorox
• Clorox Healthcare VersaSure Wipes by Clorox
• Clorox QS by Clorox
• Spruce-ups by Clorox
• Purell Professional Surface Disinfectant Wipes by GOJO Industries
• Lysol Bathroom Cleaner by Reckitt Benckiser LLC
• Lysol Neutra Air 2 in 1 by Reckitt Benckiser LLC
• Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist by Reckitt Benckiser LLC
• Lysol Brand Clean & Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaner by Reckitt Benckiser LLC
• Lysol Disinfectant Spray by Reckitt Benckiser LLC
• Sani-Prime Germicidal Spray by Professional Disposables International, Inc.
• Sani-Cloth Prime Germicidal Disposable Wipe by Professional Disposables International, Inc.

Questions? Contact Fleet@lbl.gov