What do you consider to be the germiest, dirtiest everyday item you handle? Your kitchen sponges? The remote control to the television set? Maybe your dog’s toys? What about that touch-screen phone? Well, you would be wrong if you own and driver a vehicle. Steering wheels are one of the most overlooked germ-ridden commodities in society, even compared to things that are expected to be quite germy, like shopping carts, elevator buttons, and gas pump handles.

In fact, scroll down to learn some steering wheel hygiene facts that will truly blow your mind!

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Your Steering Wheel is Probably Really Dirty

Considering the fact that the average American is reported to spend around 17,000 minutes in their vehicles, it is no surprise that we are transmitting a plethora of germs and other contaminants from our hands to our steering wheels each time we drive. This revelation becomes more concerning when you think about how often you clean the outside of your car compared to the inside.

In fact, according to a recent survey conducted by CarRentals.com, data revealed that 32% percent of the car owners surveyed only clean the inside of their car once year! The same survey showed that 12% never clean the inside of the vehicles! Needless to say, that ultimate rewards membership you have at the local car wash isn’t doing your steering wheel any good.

What is on Your Steering Wheel?

Use your vehicle to run errands, going in and out of stores in between each trip? Do you like to eat and drive? Do you have kids? Or pets that like to ride along with you in your lap? Do you pump your own gas? Do you wash your hands before leaving work? What about the gym? These are all the different places and scenarios in which you are transmitting germs and bacteria to your steering wheel.

The aforementioned CarRentals.com survey also revealed that the average driver’s steering wheel is two times dirtier than an elevator button, six times dirtier than your touchscreen cell phone, and even four times dirtier than a public toilet. For little comparison perspective, WebMD’s “Grossest” List places smart phones at the very top. Insert gulp here. What about that gas station pump handle? Studies show that the average gas pump handle is more than 11,000 times dirtier than the average toilet seat.

It is important to understand that your steering wheel is likely just as dirty as other components in your vehicle that you touch on a regular basis while driving, including the gearshift, turn signal, radio buttons, navigation screens, and even those car keys. So, moral of the story is to keep some sanitizing wipes in your vehicle and regularly wipe down every touchable surface as needed!

Do you have a car that is so dirty and junked, you no longer want anything to do with it? Why don’t you sell it for cash on the spot? Contact Benjamin’s Junk Cars at 317-218-7133 to get a quote from an experienced Indianapolis junk car buyer who will pay you the highest cash payout for totaled cars in Central Indiana. We provide FREE junk removal!