...in the car

    #1. THE STEERING WHEEL

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Being one of the most touched parts of your car, the steering wheel is one of the dirtiest places in your car. It’s where you sneeze, cough and sweat without noticing, and these fluid droplets caused by sneezing, coughing and sweating from your palm can all rest on your steering wheel! This created the optimal environment for germs to grow and soon your steering wheel is swarmed with them! You then proceed to place both of your hands on the steering wheel and make contact with those germs without paying any attention. This can pose as a health risk for you, especially if you tend to use your car frequently.

    #2. THE SEAT BELT

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    When you get into your car, the first thing you should do is to put on your seat belt. Same goes for your passengers as well; after all, it can cause you a fine if anyone is caught not wearing a seat belt. Seat belts are also great breeding grounds for germs, especially if you touch them with wet hands. Moisture increases the growth of bacteria, so make sure your hands are dry when you pull the belt over yourself. Similar to an elevator button, which has literal thousands of bacteria on it, the seat belt button or buckle can be covered in germs as well. Not to mention the tiny crevices, which makes it harder to clean.

    #3. THE SMALL GAPS BETWEEN THE SEATS

    Speaking of crevices, crumbs and fur can fall into cracks in between the seats, causing bacteria build-up because they’re just really difficult to reach into. Being dark places, they can be home to small insects who are attracted to the fallen food nestled inside. Some insects can carry diseases with them, which could infect you if they bite or sting you. Although the Wuhan virus isn’t spread through insects, it doesn’t cost much to clean your car crevices regularly.

    #4. THE FLOOR MAT

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Yup, floor mats. Your floor mats can end up dirty caused by the mud from your shoes, or even food that you have eaten before. First, you step into your car with your shoes on, all the mud and sand that stuck in your shoes end up on the floor mats. Not forgetting crumbs and leftover food from your in-car dining sessions! These little pieces of gunk and food crumbs are the best place for germs to grow and cause your car interior to smell bad!

    #5. THE SEATS

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Apart from the small gaps which has been highlighted above, for those who don't have leather seats, fabric seat covers allow dust, liquid and food particle to seep through. Like your bed and pillow, dust mites and bed bugs can also start colonies in your car seat. Dirt like crumbs, dust, hair and fur can easily fall and get trapped in the cracks between car seats, again providing the perfect breeding ground for germs and bacteria. If you haven’t got rid of the food crumbs in time, these food crumbs can attract small insects to build their home! Some insects might carry deadly diseases and it will affect you if you are bitten or stung by them.

    #6. THE CUP HOLDER

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    You, like many others, spend a considerable amount of time commuting to work in your car. Picture this scenario, you’ve just grabbed a cuppa as a pick-me-up and you make a sharp turn. Oops! A little bit of that caffeinated goodness made its way out the lid and into your cup holders! If noticed and cleaned immediately, it can end up staining your cup holders and making them all sticky.

    #7. THE TRUNK

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The trunk is often loaded with different objects, such as umbrellas, shoes, coats etc. From everyday items such as bags and luggage,or even grocery goods! For example, when you load your trunk with groceries like frozen food, it leaves wet stains on your trunk floor and these wet spots can cause germs to breed rapidly. Or even when you put your wet umbrella back to your trunk after getting back home during rainy days, these wet stains can become the best opportunity for bacteria to grow. 

    #8. THE AIR-CON VENT

     

     

     

     

     

     

    While air conditioning is a welcome luxury in sunny Malaysia, did you know there is often a build-up of germs in the vents? This is especially so if the car interior’s humidity is high. Water vapor can collect in the vents, which can lead to bacterial growth. Once the aircon is turned on, the air that blows out is likely to contain bacteria, which is then inhaled by the passengers on-board.
    To prevent bacteria, viruses, mold and fungi from invading your car, here's what you can do...