This forgotten car surface is filthier than your TOILET

Daily Mail​

25-05-2025

When people clean their cars, they tend to focus on the obvious parts like vacuuming up crumbs or giving the outside a rinse.
But did you know there's actually a part of your vehicle that is often overlooked and can wrack up more germs than your toilet?
That's right, according to a motoring specialists at Plates Express, your steering wheel is one of the dirtiest parts of the car - and most drivers forget to wipe it down.
Studies have shown that steering wheels can harbor hundreds of strains of bacteria per square inch - including those linked to food poisoning and skin infections.
That's more than can be found on your mobile phone, your computer keyboard… or even a public toilet seat.
James Taylor, a luxury car cleaner who regularly details high-end vehicles for clients across the UK, said, 'People touch their face, their phone, their food - then grab the wheel.
'I've cleaned Bentleys that looked spotless - but when you swab the wheel, the bacteria levels are through the roof.'
James pointed out that steering wheels are not only exposed to sweat and food residue from your hands, but also sneezes and coughs since they're located right in front of your face - which can create the perfect environment for germs to grow.
'It's not a huge danger to most healthy people, but if you've got kids, allergies, or low immunity, it's something you should take seriously,' he added.
'You wouldn't go weeks without washing your hands, but drivers go months without wiping down the one surface they touch every single day.'
As for the best way to clean it, the expert recommended using a car-specific interior cleaner or antibacterial wipes that are safe for leather or plastic.
He also reminded drivers to clean in the creases, and to wait for it to dry before driving since a wet wheel can be slippery.
In the end, he said a weekly wipe-down can reduce germs dramatically and takes less than a minute.
Back in 2011, research found that while 80 bacteria lurk on each square inch of toilet, up to 700 harmful bugs inhabit the steering wheel.
The study found that bacillus cereus – a bug that can cause food poisoning and is found in rice, pasta, potatoes and pies – was the most common along with arthrobacter, which is found in soil and human skin.
The study also revealed that 42 percent of motorists regularly dine while driving.
Only a third cleaned the inside of the car once a year, while 10 percent said they never bothered to wipe down surfaces or vacuum.
Dr Ron Cutler, director of biomedical science at Queen Mary University, London, said at the time: 'While most of the bacteria were unlikely to cause health problems, some cars were found to play host to a number of potentially harmful bacterial species.
'Most people clean their homes but many are neglecting to clean their cars and are driving around in vehicles which resemble a rubbish bin.
'A car is the perfect place for germs to breed, especially if you eat in it and leave litter or uneaten food around. To avoid potential health risks it would be wise to regularly clean your car inside and out.'