Every Ford is built to a high standard from its small cars to large SUVs and towering trucks but its sleek designs, advanced safety and driver assist technologies, or even the F-150s high strength aluminum-alloy body, wont safeguard you from invisible virus-spreading germs. While adhering to any lock-down, curfew, or working from home suggestions, why not take some time to clean, sanitize, and disinfect your vehicles interior.

Knowing the Difference
Cleaning physically removes germs with soap and water, but does not kill them. Sanitizing lowers the number of germs and kills bacteria, and thus the risk of spreading infection. Disinfecting uses chemicals to kill bacteria, viruses and fungi further complementing the cleaning and sanitizing.

What to Use
Motorcraft provides a broad array of cleaning products available at your local Ford dealer or Ford service centre, which are all safe for your vehicles interior. Be assuring to select a disinfecting spray. Household cleaning products contain ingredients like bleach, acetone, chlorine, and ammonia, which cause damage the interior materials and paint of your vehicle. To take disinfecting your vehicle to the next level, purchase a disinfectant germ fogger.

How to Use
While cleaning using detailing products, do not spray directly onto surfaces like the dashboard. Spray products into a microfiber towel and then apply to the surface. While youre at it, take the dirt from fabric seats and headliner with a quick vacuum. If you have access to a wet vacuum with shampoo it will give you better results. And dont forget a quick wash of regularly-touched exterior surfaces, particularly door handles.

What About Leather?
Give an attempt to the product of your choice again, free of harmful ingredients like bleach, acetone, chlorine, and ammonia at the rear portion of the steering wheel and wait for its effects to the materialize. If there is no stain, or any discoloration on the leather you can continue using the product. Much like using the detailing products, DO NOT spray onto the surface, but spray into a clean microfiber towel and gently apply the product.

Disinfecting
You are now ready to disinfect your vehicle. Hard surfaces like plastic buttons and knobs can be wiped down with a bleach-free disinfectant wipe, or spritz your disinfecting spray onto a microfiber cloth. Given how often you probably interact with your infotainment screen, be it a SYNC-enabled touchscreen or otherwise, opt for an electronic-specific non-toxic device-cleaning wipe.

Where to Use
This list might look long, but its by no means comprehensive. Anything you find yourself touching all through your day should be wiped down, and a solid place to start is to think of the first thing you touch as you approach your Ford, to the last thing when you touch when before getting out.

Key FOB
Exterior Door Handle
Interior Door Handle
Lock and Unlock Buttons and Interior Door Release
Seatbelt and Seatbelt Buckle. Also include the release button!
Push-to-Start Button, or Ignition Area
Rearview Mirror, and Automatic Side Mirror Buttons
HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) Buttons
Radio Buttons and Knobs or SYNC Touchscreen
Gear Selector
Parking Brake Lever
Steering Wheel and Wheel Mounted Buttons
Signal and Wiper Stalk
Headlights Knob
Centre Console and Cup Holders
Other areas to disinfect
Window Buttons
4WD or Terrain Management System (TMS) Rotary Knob
Glove Compartment Handle
Tailgate/Hatch Release and Power Close Button
Power Folding ThirdRow Buttons
Fuel Cap
After you have completed cleaning and disinfecting your Ford, ensure to wash your hands completely. If disinfecting your vehicle sounds all too intimidating to you, however, you can always visit a detailing shop near you, or contact your local Ford Service Centre for help.