We spend a lot of time in our cars. We drink our morning coffee in them, eat snacks on the go, haul groceries, tote around kids and pets, and occasionally toss something in the back with every intention of dealing with it later.
And then “later” becomes three months from now.
If that sounds familiar, you’re definitely not alone.
One in five Brits (21%) admits their car is pretty much permanently filthy, while 26% say they only clean their vehicle about once every three months. Even more surprising? Around 6% admit they never clean their car at all.
That means crumbs, food wrappers, mud, spilled drinks, pet hair, dirt and even bacteria can have plenty of time to settle in.
And while keeping your car clean might seem like it’s purely about appearances, there are actually a few good reasons to add a quick interior clean to your regular routine. A cleaner car can be better for your health, make driving a little more pleasant and even help protect your vehicle’s resale value.
Here are some of the dirtiest places hiding inside your car—and a few of them might surprise you.
1. Your Trunk Could Be Dirtier Than a Toilet Seat
You might want to think twice before setting your purse on the floor of your trunk.
Research from Aston University’s School of Biosciences found that the trunk was the dirtiest area tested inside a vehicle, with 1,425 bacteria detected.
For comparison, a typical toilet seat may contain roughly 50–300 bacteria per square inch.
When you think about everything we throw into our trunks, it starts making sense. Grocery bags, shoes, sports equipment, trash, muddy items, pet supplies and who knows what else get tossed back there.
Researchers even detected E. coli, a type of bacteria associated with fecal contamination.
Budget-friendly cleaning tip: You don’t need an expensive detailing kit. Remove everything from the trunk, vacuum thoroughly and wipe down hard surfaces with an appropriate cleaner. If you have a removable trunk liner, take it out and give it a good cleaning, too.
2. Seats and Headrests Collect More Than You Think
Your driver’s seat gets used every single time you get behind the wheel, so naturally it’s going to collect some grime.
Research has found hundreds of bacteria on car seats. Clothing doesn’t necessarily protect the seat either because our clothes can carry dirt, oils and bacteria from all the places we’ve been throughout the day.
Then there’s the headrest.
Hair products, natural oils, sweat and moisture can accumulate on the material over time. If you’ve had your car for years and can’t remember the last time you actually cleaned the headrests, consider this your reminder.
Vacuum fabric seats regularly and use a cleaner designed specifically for your car’s upholstery. For leather or specialty materials, always check the manufacturer’s recommendations before applying cleaning products.
3. The Steering Wheel Is a Germ Magnet
Think about everything your hands touch before you grab your steering wheel.
Gas pumps. Door handles. Shopping carts. Phones. Money. Restaurant doors.
Then you get into your car and put those same hands right onto the steering wheel.
Add skin oils, sweat, coughing and sneezing into the equation, and that steering wheel can get gross surprisingly quickly.
Some research has also found that 36% of people admit to eating behind the wheel, while another survey found 47% admit to picking their nose while driving.
Yep. We’re going there.
Leather steering wheels can be especially tricky because textured surfaces and stitching create tiny spaces where dirt and grime accumulate.
The important thing here is to use a cleaner that’s safe for your steering wheel’s material. Grabbing a random antibacterial wipe could potentially damage some finishes.
4. Cupholders Are Basically Crumb Collectors
Coffee on the way to work?
Fast-food drink on a road trip?
A kid’s half-finished juice?
Cupholders see it all.
Around 70% of drivers eat or drink in their vehicles, so it’s hardly surprising that cupholders become one of the stickiest and messiest areas inside a car.
Spilled coffee, soda and other drinks can leave behind sugary residue that attracts dirt, crumbs and even insects.
The easiest solution is to tackle spills immediately instead of waiting until they’ve turned into something that requires serious scrubbing.
Frugal hack: Keep a small pack of cleaning wipes or microfiber cloths in your glove compartment so you can deal with spills before they become permanent residents.
5. Don’t Forget About Your Floor Mats
Your floor mats basically experience everything the bottoms of your shoes experience.
Mud.
Gum.
Rain.
Grass.
Parking lot grime.
And yes, potentially even animal waste.
Moisture tracked inside the vehicle can also contribute to mold and mildew, particularly when mats remain damp for extended periods.
Thick carpeted mats may be comfortable and help reduce road noise, but all those fibers can also trap dirt and bacteria.
Shake your mats out regularly and give them a thorough vacuum. Rubber mats can usually be removed, washed and completely dried before being put back into the car.
What Kind of Germs Could Be Living in Your Car?
Not every bacterium is going to make you sick, but researchers have identified several types of microorganisms inside vehicles that are worth knowing about.
Staphylococcus and Bacillus
Staphylococcus and Bacillus species can be transferred from our hands, skin and other surfaces onto steering wheels, buttons, door handles and other frequently touched areas.
Certain strains can contribute to illnesses ranging from food poisoning to skin infections.
And because we’re constantly touching different areas of our cars, bacteria can easily move from one surface to another.
Yeast and Mold
Have you ever climbed into your car and noticed that musty smell?
Moisture and condensation can create conditions where yeast and mold can grow, especially when wet carpets or mats aren’t allowed to dry properly.
Mold can irritate the respiratory system and may trigger coughing, wheezing or allergic reactions in sensitive people.
If you discover mold inside your vehicle, don’t just spray something over it to cover up the smell. Find the source of the moisture and address the underlying problem.
E. Coli and Other Illness-Causing Germs
Researchers have also found intestinal bacteria such as E. coli inside vehicles.
E. coli is commonly associated with fecal contamination and can be transferred through unwashed hands and contaminated surfaces. While many strains are harmless, some can cause diarrhea, foodborne illness and more serious infections.
It’s another good reason to wash your hands regularly—and clean those high-touch areas in your car.
So, How Often Should You Clean Your Car?
You don’t have to spend every Saturday morning detailing your vehicle until it looks showroom-ready.
A simple routine can make a big difference.
According to Sten Saar, CEO and Co-Founder of Zego, the exterior of your vehicle can generally benefit from a monthly wash, as well as additional cleaning after exposure to road salt or particularly muddy conditions.
Inside the vehicle, aim to vacuum and wipe everything down about once a month, paying attention to:
- Seats and headrests
- Dashboard
- Air vents
- Floors
- Floor mats
- Trunk or cargo area
High-touch areas deserve a little more attention. Consider cleaning your steering wheel, gear shift, door handles, seatbelts, infotainment screens and frequently used buttons every one to two weeks.
Cupholders and storage compartments can be cleaned as needed, and spills should be tackled as soon as possible.
A Clean Car Can Protect Your Wallet, Too
Here’s the part that really fits our Champagne Style Bare Budget philosophy: taking care of what you already own can save you money.
Keeping your vehicle clean isn’t just about having a pretty car.
Allowing dirt, stains, spills and odors to accumulate over the years can affect the condition of your interior and potentially decrease the vehicle’s resale value.
Think of cleaning your car as basic maintenance.
You don’t need a trunk full of expensive detailing products or a professional car wash every week. A vacuum, a couple of microfiber cloths and cleaning products appropriate for your vehicle’s materials can go a long way.
Even spending 15 or 20 minutes every couple of weeks tackling the steering wheel, cupholders, mats and other high-traffic areas can keep a small mess from turning into a much bigger—and potentially more expensive—problem.
The Bottom Line
If it’s been three months—or you honestly can’t remember the last time you cleaned the inside of your car—there’s no judgment here.
But maybe this is your sign to grab the vacuum.
Start with the steering wheel and cupholders, shake out those floor mats and, for the love of all things budget-friendly, look underneath the seats.
You might find enough spare change to pay for your next coffee.
Or you might find a French fry from 2022.
Either way, your car will thank you.
