What’s the one item you handle every single day, toss on questionable surfaces, drop in the abyss between car seats, and probably never, ever clean? If you guessed your car keys, congratulations—you’re both correct and likely in need of some hand sanitizer. New research from car insurance comparison site MoneySuperMarket has unlocked a dirty little secret: the key to your vehicle is a bustling metropolis for bacteria, harboring nearly four times more germs than your cell phone.
In a study that might make you want to handle your keys with tongs, microbiologist Dr. Joe Latimer put everyday items under the microscope. The results were startling. While we obsessively wipe down our phones and keyboards, our car keys are left to cultivate their own ecosystems. Lab tests revealed that the average car key is home to 241 bacteria, a stark contrast to the 66 found on a cell phone screen and the 68 on a computer keyboard.
Even more unsettling, a survey of 2,000 UK drivers found that one-third (33%) have never cleaned their keys. This is despite almost a quarter (24%) having owned the same set for over five years, giving those germs plenty of time to get comfortable and start a family. Dr. Latimer explains that while nearly half the bacteria found were harmless skin-dwellers, some were not so innocent. “One of the keys we tested showed signs of bacteria that may have originated in the gut,” he notes, adding that these can “have the potential to carry disease under the right conditions”.
The Great Car Brand Clean-Off
Apparently, your car brand might say more about your hygiene habits than your driving style. The study uncovered a fascinating divide among motorists:
- The Grime Scene Investigators: Over half (51%) of Nissan drivers admitted to never cleaning their keys, closely followed by Volkswagen and Skoda drivers (49% each).
- The Clean Freaks: On the other side of the spectrum, luxury car owners seem to extend their meticulous care to their key fobs. An impressive 57% of BMW drivers clean their keys at least weekly, with Mercedes-Benz (55%) and Land Rover (46%) drivers also maintaining high standards of key hygiene.
How to De-Germ Your Keys Without Destroying Them
Before you douse your expensive electronic fob in bleach, take a step back. A worrying one in ten drivers admitted to using this harsh chemical, which can corrode the delicate electronic components inside your key. Another 15% wash them with soap and water, risking water damage that can lead to a complete malfunction.
These high-touch surfaces accumulate germs from every doorknob, shopping cart, and countertop they encounter, making them a veritable microbial hotspot. So, how do you clean them safely? MoneySuperMarket provides a simple, effective method:
- Wipe Down: Use a soft, damp cloth with a mild soap solution to gently wipe the exterior of the key fob. This removes grease, grime, and most of the germs.
- Detailing: For the stubborn dirt lodged in crevices and between buttons, carefully use a toothpick or a cotton swab dipped in a small amount of rubbing alcohol.
As Alicia Hempsted, a car insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, points out, “Car keys are something most of us use every day, but rarely think twice about, let alone clean”. If you do happen to ruin your keys through an overzealous cleaning attempt, the replacement cost might not be covered by your standard insurance. Hempsted advises checking with your car manufacturer for care instructions and looking into whether your policy includes key cover, which could save you significant stress and money.
So, go on. Take a look at your keys. It might be time for a long-overdue introduction to a cleaning cloth.
