Drivers urged to clean three car interior parts that could 'cause illness'

A cleaning expert has urged all drivers of the three dirtiest parts of their vehicle’s interior, warning that they could cause illnesses if left unchecked.

Whilst many motorists spend significantly more effort into making the outside of their car sparkle, keeping the interior clean can come with more benefits than simply looking nicer.

Dr Deborah Lee, a health expert at Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, highlighted that not regularly cleaning a car’s interior can cause micro-organisms to spread, affecting drivers and passengers.

She warned: “The car is a potent source of bacteria, some of which can cause illnesses in humans. If the car is not properly cleaned, infections can occur and recur and, in some people, become persistent.

“There are bacteria all around us, and thankfully we have a good immune system to keep us safe, but the fact that the car is such an incubator for micro-organisms is a sobering thought.”

According to Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, who swabbed various components for bacteria on three different cars, the interior part that carries germs the worst are the seats.

Undoubedly the most used parts of a vehicle’s interior, the company found that a car driver’s seat typically carries more bacteria than a household toilet seat.

As a result, it is always a good idea to regularly vacuum the seats inside a vehicle before applying some specialist car interior shampoo if they are made from cloth, or wipes on leather or vinyl upholstery.

In addtion, the organisation also urged drivers to keep their car seatbelts as clean as possible, with Deborah suggesting they use shampoo regularly.

She advised: “A good quality upholstery cleaner or interior shampoo will help remove any stains, build-up of dirt and unpleasant odours, leaving your seats clean and fresh.”

Once cleaning the seatbelts, it is also vital that they dry the safety feature off with a microfibre cloth to avoid the risk of mould forming.

Finally, Dr Fox Online Pharmacy warned that the vehicle’s handbrake is another particularly problematic component for bacteria to live on.

Whether it is a physical stick or electronically-controlled with a small button, the handbrake is commonly used throughout even the shortest journey, particularly if a driver regularly travels through traffic.

As a result, it is vital that drivers regularly keep it clean by vacuuming around the area for any dust or debris, and use either a specialist wipe or a mild detergent solution and cloth to wipe out any bacteria.