Ensuring Safety with Enhanced Cleaning & Disinfection at GariConnect
At GariConnect, we prioritize the safety and well-being of our community. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we've established enhanced cleaning and disinfecting guidelines for our hosts to ensure the safety of both, the hosts and guests. Here's how you can thoroughly clean and disinfect your car before each trip:
For Our Esteemed Hosts: Your Car, Our Care
Before we guide you through the cleaning and disinfecting process, it's crucial to distinguish between these two terms:
Cleaning is the process of removing dirt, impurities, and germs from surfaces. It's important to note that cleaning doesn't eliminate germs, but it does lower their numbers and, in turn, decreases the risk of spreading infections.
Disinfecting, on the other hand, involves the use of specific chemicals, such as disinfectants, to destroy germs on surfaces. Disinfecting may not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs that remain on a surface after cleaning, it further mitigates the risk of spreading infections.
Understanding these differences is key to ensuring a safe and hygienic environment for all GariConnect users.
How to clean & disinfect your car’s interior
1. Protect Yourself First
Before you begin the cleaning process, ensure you're protected. Wear disposable gloves and an approved face covering, and avoid touching your face during the cleaning process.
2. Understand the Materials in Your Car
Different materials require different cleaning methods. Familiarize yourself with the porosity of common materials found in automotive interiors, such as leather, fabric, plastic, and metal, so you can clean and disinfect them appropriately.
3. Identify High-Touch Areas
Certain areas in your car are touched more frequently than others. These "hot spots" include exterior and interior door handles, sun visors, the rearview mirror, the steering wheel, seat belts, gear selector, infotainment and temperature controls, and keys. Pay special attention to these areas during the cleaning process.
4. Gather Your Cleaning Supplies
You'll need a variety of cleaning supplies, including disposable gloves, an approved face covering, soap-and-water-based interior cleaning spray, soft bristle brushes, scrubber sponge, paper towels, microfiber towels, and registered disinfectants.
5. Clean Before You Disinfect
Start by cleaning your car from top to bottom. Open the vehicle’s doors and windows to air out the car before you start cleaning. Clean non-porous and semi-porous surfaces with soap and water, and vacuum interior porous surfaces like car seats and carpet.
6. Disinfect High-Touch Areas
After cleaning, apply the disinfectant according to the instruction label, paying special attention to the high-touch "hot spots". Make sure your vehicle interior is cool before applying any disinfectant to ensure it doesn't evaporate too quickly.
7. Safety After Cleaning
Once you've finished cleaning and disinfecting, remove your gloves and any other protective gear and dispose of them properly. Wash your hands immediately after removing gloves with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
By following these guidelines, we can work together to create a safer environment for our GariConnect community. We appreciate your commitment to maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene.
For Our Valued Guests
We recommend keeping a small bottle of hand sanitizer (containing at least 70% alcohol) and a pack of disinfecting wipes in your car. These can be used throughout the trip to help keep the spread of germs at bay.