Your steering wheel is not one.
Most of us predict that the area we touch the most in the car, such as the steering wheel, will hold the most amount of germs. However, a study conducted by CloroxPro discovered that other surfaces in the car proved to have higher counts of bacteria, yeast, and mold. Turns out your steering wheel is not the dirtiest surface in the car. Here are the top 4 dirtiest spots in your car with tips on how to clean and disinfect them.
1) Floor Mats
The floor mat on the drivers side holds the most bacteria, yeast, and mold out of all the surfaces in the car. On the plus side it's not a surface you touch too often, but on the flip side it's something to consider for when you accidentally drop your phone or car keys.
How to clean:
Remove all floor mats and shake them outside the car.
Sprinkle the mats with baking soda, and let the baking soda sit for 30 minutes. This will absorb any odors.
Vacuum any remaining baking soda and dirt.
Place the clean mats back inside the car.
2) Car Trunk
Sometimes the dirtiest items get stashed in the back of your trunk. Items such as dirty shoes, gym bags, and camping gear all get stashed in the back of your car, but so do items such as takeout food or groceries. When you think about all the dirt and grime that collects in your trunk, do you really feel comfortable placing items like food in the same spot?
How to clean:
Remove any mats or carpet pads. Shake them outside the car.
Sprinkle the mats with baking soda, and let the baking soda sit for 30 minutes. This will absorb any odors.
Vacuum any dirt and debris inside the trunk.
Place the clean mats inside the car.
Quick Tip: Invest in a portable mat you can set down for when you transport groceries or food in the trunk.
3) Cup Holder
If you've place drinks or food in your cup holder before, chances are you've spilled or left a few crumbs in there. While you may not always store food or drinks in that compartment, you probably store other things like your phone, keys, or other items. As a frequently touched surface, it's important to maintain a regular cleaning routine.
How to clean:
Wipe down the cup holders and center console with a disinfecting wipe when it starts to look dirty.
Quick Tip: Leave a pack of disinfecting wipes in the car.
4) Air Vents
When summers get too hot and winters get too cold, we turn on the air vent. However, the dashboard air vent could be collecting dust and circulating germs around your car.
How to clean:
Turn off the AC.
Dust the vents with a microfiber cloth or a can of compressed air.
Wipe the vents using a disinfecting wipe.
Roll the car windows down to let the air circulate.
