Car keys are even filthier than cell phones

New research by UK car insurance expert MoneySuperMarket suggests car keys harbour four times more bacteria than cell phones. Why is clear; the study reveals that one-third of drivers never clean their car keys. On the other hand, one in ten drivers say they use bleach to clean them. Evidently that can result in damage. 

While many never bother cleaning their car keys, almost one-quarter surveyed have owned their keys for over five years. Yet car keys have way more bacteria than cell phone screens and computer keyboards. These items people tend to clean more regularly.

Evidently car keys harbor 241 bacteria versus 66-68 for cell phone screens and keyboards. The average toilet seat has 1100 bacteria.

While nearly half of the bacteria found on car keys were harmless skin-dwellers, some originated in the gut and therefore carry the potential for disease.

MoneySuperMarket’s survey involved 2000 motorists with varying cleaning habits. Just over one-half of Nissan drivers admitted they never clean their car keys, compared with just under half of Volkswagen, Skoda, Peugeot and Kia drivers. Yet most admitted to cleaning their cell phone screens at least once a week. 

BMW drivers take the most care, with almost one-third saying they clean their keys daily. Just over half of Mercedes Benz drivers give their keys a weekly clean, followed by just under half of Land Rover drivers. Audi and Toyota owners also give them a regular wipe down.

Don’t use bleach for cleaning car keys/fobs. It can corrode or damage components, leading to malfunctions or complete failure. 

A few wash them with water and soap, presumably keys without fobs. MoneySuperMarket advises using a soft, damp cloth and a mild soap solution to wipe down the exterior, ridding the fob/key of grease and bacteria.

Use a toothpick or cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to clean stubborn grime in crevices or in the metal part of the key. If in doubt, ask the manufacturer. And check whether your insurance covers key damage caused by cleaning. Some replacement fobs are expensive.

With keys also being a commonly misplaced item, it’s doubly worth checking if your car insurance also includes key cover.