2020 is off to a turbulent start. Throughout the first month, headlines everywhere have been occupied with a coronavirus outbreak that originated from Wuhan, China. Additionally, there have also been reports of the H5N8 bird flu virus in the Middle East and other kinds of infections elsewhere as well.

These kinds of outbreaks affect all aspects of our lives. Whether you work in an office or even if you work at home, health concerns like these will affect you in direct or indirect ways.

One critical way it affects people is that it affects a country's transportation. Many people are reluctant to take public transit for fear of catching an infection. Rideshare services may also be affected. Some drivers may be unwilling to work, while many passengers may prefer not to take shared transportation during this time.

These days, car owners might want to pay closer attention to the hygiene of their cars. Think about it: when you're in a vehicle with passengers, you're in a small enclosed space. For this reason, it's essential to clean and disinfect your car to avoid passing around viruses, germs, and bacteria.

Here are a few things to consider when disinfecting your car.

Food and Drink Spills

First and foremost, it's essential to clean up any food and liquid spills in the car's interior. Sometimes, it's easy to overlook food crumbs that might fall in the folds of the seat or on the floor. However, these crumbs will eventually turn rancid and attract all sorts of nasty microscopic creatures to feast on them. The same could be said for liquids like sodas and other drinks that spill and slowly get absorbed into the upholstery.

That's why it's crucial that you immediately clean up any food and drink spills as well as any trash. It's also a good idea to vacuum your car periodically as well.

Cup Holders

After looking for food and drink spills all over your car, don't forget to check the most prominent spot: the cupholders. These accessories are designed to keep your cups, bottles, and sometimes even food in a safe place. Unfortunately, it's also an excellent trap for food crumbs, liquids, and dust.

Whenever you're cleaning your car, be sure to pay special attention to the many cup holders that your vehicle has.

Car Parts That You Touch

Viruses, germs, and bacteria are often passed around through physical contact. Therefore, we should be cautious about the parts of the car that our hands come into contact with. The most frequently touched parts are the steering wheel and the gearstick. Still, don't forget about the dashboard and the door handles as well. Any of these could be carrying the germs of whoever touched them last, ready to be passed on to the next person who comes in contact with them.

These parts should always be wiped clean. Better yet, you should clean them using disinfecting wipes or sprays that are readily available at your local supermarkets or convenience stores.

Cabin Air Filter

Some drivers tend to overlook the car's cabin filter. This is a filter that is tucked away out of sight, quietly filtering every bit of air that flows throughout the car. Its main job is to filter out things like dust, pollen, and in some cases even bad odours. A clean filter means that the occupants of the car can breathe easily.