Germs…gross. Can you guess what the germiest spot in your car is?
With the pandemic still raging, more people are thinking about their health and keeping their hands clean to help prevent sickness. As more of us spend time in our vehicles to get to work, the grocery store, or simply from point A to point B, it’s important to know where germs can thrive in your car.
The highest areas of germs in your car include what you touch the most. Therefore, some of the top spots may come as no surprise:
- Door Handles
- Dashboard Buttons and Controls
- Steering Wheel
But what may surprise you are the areas where germs live that rarely cross your mind…
What is the Dirtiest, Germiest Place in My Car?
Many people think the dirtiest part of your car is the steering wheel; mainly because it’s touched so often. After that, many will assume that their driver’s side door handle is a hotspot for germs and bacteria. But germs aren’t just tracked in on your hands…
Studies with swab tests for bacteria, mold, and germs often dispel these dirty myths. Here is what science says are the germiest places in your car:
Unexpected Germ Hot Spot #1
The top spot isn’t your steering wheel…it’s your driver’s side floor mat! It’s a good thing we don’t touch it too often and keeping it germ-free isn’t likely to make you sick. But it does lend to taking your shoes off when you get home as to not bring those germs inside your home where kids could be susceptible to them.
That said, if you drop your keys or hand sanitizer bottle on them when you get in the car, it may be another story. To clean up your floor mats, take them out and give them a good shake, then sprinkle baking soda and let it sit for at least 30 minutes before vacuuming. You can also call in BAM and we’ll be at your service in a hurry to remove stains and germs!
Unexpected Germ Hot Spot #2
Check your front seat cup holder…it’s on the top of the list of germy spots in your car!
As it’s connected to your console, you touch it all the time. Plus, it may be grimy from spilled drinks, crumbs, and dirt/dust that collect there. One study revealed a staggering 1,179 microbes found when they swabbed the area!
And unlike the floor mat which you tough mainly with your feet, you likely use the cup holder and touch what’s in it daily. We recommend having a stash of travel disinfecting wipes in either your glove box or the center console to give your cup holders a quick wipe down.
Unexpected Germ Hot Spot #3
With holiday shopping and car travel, you may be touching the next germ hotspot more regularly these days…You may want to think twice about putting that potluck dish in the trunk.
Like your car mats, you’ll want to vacuum up any dirt or debris present and if the pad can be removed, you can treat them as you would the floor mats. Of course, if you’d like a deep clean, call Butler Automotive Management. BAM’s professional car cleaning and interior detailing will have your car or fleet germ-free!
Unexpected Germ Hot Spot #4
Like indoor air quality matters in your home, it also applies to your car. The dashboard air vents could be circulating a lot of germs.
Clean the vents (turn the AC off first) and dust the car vents with a can of compressed air. You can also use a foam brush or Swiffer to hit the surface. Then wipe down with one of the disinfecting wipes. But be careful not to get any liquid inside the air vents. You can also lightly spray with a disinfecting spray like Lysol, but do so with your car windows are rolled down or the doors open so the air can circulate.
Keep Your Car Clean & Sanitized
When was the last time you thoroughly cleaned and sanitized your car (especially if you operate a business with a fleet of cars that workers share day in and day out) …? Nearly 30% of people only clean their car once a year. Crazy right?! Think of the drivers out there who have NEVER cleaned their car.
Butler Automotive Management comes to you to keep it clean with our mobile detail and fleet management services. We safely clean your car or fleet with eco-friendly sanitization products that kill germs on the spot! Contact our Tampa, FL mobile car care company today to keep your car clean and germ-free.
