Your vehicle may one of the germiest places you interact with on a daily basis. Here are a few places you might want to pay special attention to the next time you clean your vehicle.
1. Driver Controls
Any driver controls that you interact with daily are probably covered in germs. This might include your radio volume or the touch screen of your driver infotainment system. These parts of the vehicle are usually touched every time you get in and out of your vehicle. Other less-common, often-forgotten driver controls include the mirror, window controls, or the sunroof button.
2. Steering Wheel
The steering wheel is another common touch point. It is the one part of your vehicle that you are likely to touch, whether you’re in the vehicle for 30 seconds or 30 minutes. If you’re eating, touching other things, or talking, many of the germs make their way onto the steering wheel. Fortunately, if your steering wheel is made of leather, it is easy to clean. If you have a fabric steering wheel or a cover, then it may be harder to fully sanitize it.
3. Door Handles
Your door handles are probably touched more than any other part of your vehicle. You may touch the door handles to get in and out of your vehicle, or when rolling down your windows. You’re also likely to lean on your door handles when parked or stopped at a red light.
Whereas many people remember to wipe down the interior door handles, many do forget to do the same to the exterior handles. Other people may also touch your exterior door handles, like valet attendants or mechanics, which can lead to a greater accumulation of germs.
4. Foot Pedals
The germs in your vehicle aren’t only transferred from your hands. Many germs also make their way into your vehicle from your shoes. When you walk in public places and then step into your vehicle, pushing on the gas and brake pedals, you’re also transferring germs. This is also one of the places that people often forget to clean when they do wipe down their vehicles.
Other parts of your vehicle that tend to have a lot of germs include the seatbelt, your door frame, glove box, and your air conditioning button controls. Back seats may have high germ areas, if you load a lot of cargo in there or if you frequently have back seat passengers.
How To Get Rid of the Germs in Your Vehicle
Your vehicle is probably filled with germs, now what? Routine cleanings with an antibacterial cleanser are important. Give your vehicle the same cleaning attention that you give to your home. It may also be beneficial to schedule routine detailing appointments, where they will professionally clean all the nooks and crannies of your vehicle.
Your vehicle may feel like a safe haven from germs. It may feel like the one place that you can sit back and relax, whether your commuting to the office or enjoying a meal while parked. But, your vehicle is probably actually filled with germs.
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