Car keys harbor bacteria four times more abundantly than smartphones do.
In a groundbreaking study conducted by the UK car insurance specialist MoneySuperMarket, the bacteria found on car keys was put under the microscope. The study, led by microbiologist Dr Joe Latimer, revealed some surprising findings about car key cleanliness habits among different car brands.
The research showed that nearly half (49%) of Volkswagen drivers are among those who neglect cleaning their car keys. This is a concerning statistic, especially considering that car keys can contain four times more bacteria than cellphones or computer keyboards. One of the keys tested even showed signs of bacteria that may have originated in the gut, accounting for 15% of the total bacteria isolated.
However, not all hope is lost. Over half (55%) of Mercedes-Benz drivers give their keys a weekly clean, and over 4 in 10 Land Rover drivers (46%) also clean their keys weekly. When it comes to the drivers most likely to clean their keys daily, BMW drivers take the most care, with almost a third (32%) saying they clean them daily.
Audi (43%) and Toyota (41%) drivers also rate highly in key cleaning frequency. On the other hand, over half (51%) of Nissan drivers admit they never clean their car keys, and Skoda (49%), Peugeot (47%), and Kia (43%) drivers are also among the motorists most likely to have never cleaned their car keys.
While the survey did not provide specific details about the differences in key-cleaning habits based on car brands, it's clear that there is room for improvement across the board.
So, what's the best way to clean car keys? MoneySuperMarket advises using a soft, damp cloth and a mild soap solution to wipe down the exterior of the car key fob for a simple, safe, and basic clean. It's important to avoid using harsh chemicals on modern car keys, as they can damage the electronics.
One in 6 drivers (15%) wash their keys in water and soap, but it's crucial to be careful not to submerge keys in water. Ten percent of drivers say they clean keys with bleach, but this is best avoided due to the risk of damaging the keys.
Dr. Latimer found that while some bacteria on car keys were harmless skin-dwellers, others weren't so innocent. This highlights the importance of maintaining clean car keys to reduce the risk of spreading harmful bacteria.
As electric car ownership continues to grow, it's interesting to note that electric car owners have the highest proportion of driving purely electric vehicles. Currently, there are over 83,000 pure electric cars in Germany, indicating that these owners drive mainly fully electric, unlike owners of conventional or hybrid vehicles.
In conclusion, while the study revealed some concerning statistics about car key cleanliness habits, it also provided valuable insights into how to maintain clean car keys. By following the advice from MoneySuperMarket and Dr. Latimer, drivers can help reduce the risk of spreading harmful bacteria and ensure their car keys remain in good condition.
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