As valuable contributors to the goal of increasing cleanliness during the fight against Covid-19, car wash owners are actively searching for ways to enhance car wash offerings and processes. Cleaning the interior of vehicles is a unique challenge: germs and bacteria can thrive inside vehicles, but interior cleaning processes are nearly impossible to automate. Therefore, in order to offer this important service, car washes must find the appropriate chemicals, applications and processes for their staffs to employ throughout a complex environment.

The Centers for Disease Control have issued guidelines for the disinfecting of non-emergency vehicles (here) and the National Pesticide Information Center has issued guidance for the public and professionals to control the Covid-19 virus on surfaces (here). Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency is regularly updating its List N of approved products for use against the Covid-19 virus (here).

Notably, none of these resources speak to the use of foggers (a piece of equipment designed to distribute a chemical in the form of a fog) as an application device. Currently, ICA is not aware of any official guidance from health authorities on the efficacy or appropriateness of fogging devices or processes to prevent or kill the Covid-19 virus. Until such time as official guidance is provided, car wash operators are recommended to evaluate options with experts, chemical suppliers and their trusted advisors.

International Carwash Association will share additional information if and as it becomes available.