Overview

• Car keys have an average of 241 bacterial colonies, nearly four times more than mobile phones and computer keyboards.
• Staphylococcus epidermidis was the dominant species and can cause life-threatening, antibiotic-resistant infections in hospital settings.
• A third of drivers have never cleaned their car keys, while 15 percent lack a spare set, risking inconvenience and costly replacements.
• Survey data show Fiat drivers are most likely to forgo spare keys, and BMW owners lead in hygiene with 57 percent cleaning weekly or more.
• Key fobs house delicate electronics, so experts caution against bleach or water immersion to prevent damage during cleaning.