A new sanitisation system at a carwash is a fresh addition to its list of services.

The Covid-19 pandemic has heightened awareness of the dangers of bacteria and germs — now the Budget-Jet Car Wash and Detailing Service, on North Shore Road, Pembroke, has launched a hot, wet and dry steam sanitisation service for vehicles.

The idea for the steamer service came late last year, and is now being offered as the island entered Phase 3 of the four-stage return to normal life.

The service is part of a rethink by the business owners, the Salawu family, as they approached the fifth anniversary of the carwash and valet service.

Tracy Salawu, the manager of Budget-Jets, said: “When the mandatory shelter-in-place came into effect, while it was definitely an appreciated precaution against the spread of Covid-19, it was a tough blow for our small business holding its breath through the long rainy winter hoping for the springtime.”

They bought the new steamer from a business friend over the winter.

Ms Salawu said: “We didn’t know back then how relevant the purchase of this detailing dry-steamer would be now,”

It is hoped many people looking to have their car sanitised in the wake of the Covid emergency and those wanting to freshen up their vehicle after it has been parked up or barely used during the past weeks, will stop by.

The team at the carwash wear masks and gloves for each car service and use eco-friendly and chemical-free products during valeting and detailing.

Ms Salawu said that it was a good time to launch the new service as people were beginning to return to their workplaces after the lockdown.

She added: “We have already had inquiries from people who want to get their cars cleaned as they return back to work.

“The beauty of using dry-steam for car detailing is that the high degree of heat the steamer produces kills bacteria on immediate contact and does not leave your vehicle wet.”

A small car can be pressure-washed and dry-steam sanitised in about an hour.

Ms Salawu said: “If we can help even one family feel more safe and secure from germs in their freshly sanitised car, we are ready and available to do so.”

• Budget-Jet, at 154 North Shore Road, opposite Grace Methodist Church, can be contacted on 705-2538 or through www.budget-jet.com