How to Measure and Control Bacteria Levels in Your Car

Monitoring bacteria levels in your car is essential for maintaining a clean and healthy environment. Here are some steps you can take to effectively monitor and manage bacteria in your car:

Regular Cleaning Routine

Establish a routine for cleaning and disinfecting frequently-touched surfaces in your car, such as door handles, steering wheel, gear shift, and dashboard. Use disinfectant wipes or sprays that are safe for automotive surfaces to eliminate bacteria. We recommend using isopropyl alcohol like discussed in our other blog post I’ll link here.

Bacteria Testing Kits

Consider using bacteria testing kits specifically designed for cars. These kits often include swabs or strips that can be applied to different surfaces to detect the presence of bacteria. These swabs can be wiped onto a bacteria agar to test how much bacteria is on areas of your vehicle. These agars take about 2-3 days to fully realize the level of bacterial growth.

There are other testing kits such as the Hygiena EnSURE. Which can give you a near instant report of the level of bacteria from the swab test. These devices are illuminometers that have special sensors to detect biological life and measure the amount. This device comes in at a hefty price tag of north of $2,000.

Slightly related: Here’s a video on the topic of bacteria and diseases that can live on your phone:

Follow the instructions provided with the testing kit to collect samples and interpret the results.

UV-C Light Devices

UV-C light devices can be effective in killing bacteria and other microorganisms. Use a portable UV-C light wand to sanitize various surfaces in your car. Ensure that you follow safety guidelines when using UV-C devices and avoid direct exposure to the light.

These types of devices became very popular during the COVID pandemic for their ease of use. They have even been used in liquid thermos’s for keeping your drinking beverage of choice bacteria free. This can be seen on Shark Tank from the LARQ bottle.

Ventilation and Air Purification

Maintain good ventilation in your car by regularly opening windows to allow fresh air circulation. Consider using air purifiers designed for cars to filter and reduce airborne bacteria. These purifiers often include HEPA filters and UV-C light technology.

Professional Cleaning Services

Periodically, seek professional car cleaning services that specialize in thorough interior cleaning and disinfection. Professional detailing services like Clarity Car Washing or our house cleaning service Clarity House Cleaning may use steam cleaning, antibacterial solutions, and specialized equipment to eliminate bacteria.

Odor and Bacteria Elimination Products

Use air fresheners or deodorizers specifically designed to eliminate bacteria and unpleasant odors in cars. Make sure to choose products that are safe for enclosed spaces and do not contain harmful chemicals. Bleach is not recommended, but instead less harmful disinfectants like isopropyl alcohol can be used suprisingly liberally and won’t damage your health or vehicle components if handled correctly.

Personal Hygiene Practices

Encourage good personal hygiene practices, such as washing hands before entering the car, especially after being in public places. Keep hand sanitizers or disinfectant wipes in the car for easy access.

Monitor High-Touch Areas

Pay extra attention to high-touch areas like door handles, seatbelts, and the center console. Regularly clean and disinfect these areas to minimize the risk of bacterial contamination.

By incorporating these measures into your car care routine, you can effectively monitor and control bacteria levels, creating a healthier and cleaner driving environment.