• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Forum
  • Design Studio
  • Upholstery Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsors

The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Touchscreens are Filthier than Steering Wheels and Toilets

September 3, 2020 By Nadeem

The Hog Ring - Touchscreens are Filthier than Steering Wheels and Toilets

Call it a sign of the times! A new study found that touchscreens have officially replaced steering wheels as the filthiest part of a car’s interior.

Compare the Market, a UK-based car insurance website, conducted a study to determine which part of a car’s interior has the most germs. Their researchers took surface test swabs of family cars, luxury vehicles and work vans to measure bacteria.

To illustrate the significance of their findings, they compared the results to an ordinary office toilet seat.

The researchers found that a car’s stereo or touchscreen is 371 percent dirtier than an office toilet seat. In second place is the shifter, which is 331 percent filthier than the toilet. In third place is the indicators. Fourth and fifth are the steering wheel and handbrake, respectively.

Previous studies showed that it was the steering wheel that was the filthiest part of a car’s interior. But with the rise of touchscreens — and more than just the driver constantly touching it — it makes sense they’re now more filthy than steering wheels.

As disgusting as it sounds, it’s still good information for interior pro to know — especially in the midst of a global pandemic.

Filed Under: Archive, Industry Trends & Reports, Odd News, Safety Issues Tagged With: Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Car Interior, Touch-Screen Dashboard

Primary Sidebar

THR Sponsors

NC Sewing Machines
Miami Corporation - Right Rail Ad 3
  • Keyston Bros
  • Hyde Leather
  • OEM+ Banner Ad - The Hog Ring
  • MasterTech Expo 2026
  • Albright's Supply
  • Douglass Interior Products

THR Favorites

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Mopar Mod Top

Mod Tops: The Softer Side of Mopar

Did you know that in an effort to attract … [more] about Mod Tops: The Softer Side of Mopar

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Laced Leather French Seam

What Do You Think of Laced French Seams?

Few automakers that exist outside the realm … [more] about What Do You Think of Laced French Seams?

5 Ways to Handle Difficult Customers

  We’ve all experienced difficult … [more] about 5 Ways to Handle Difficult Customers

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - VW Bus

JNG Creations 1961 VW Bus Resto-Rod

After converting a 1961 Volkswagen single-cab … [more] about JNG Creations 1961 VW Bus Resto-Rod

Top 10 Wacky Car Interiors

We auto upholsterers have seen it all - from … [more] about Top 10 Wacky Car Interiors

The Hog Ring - Lancia Orca steering wheel

10 Crazy Steering Wheels We Want to Wrap

So you think you're good at wrapping steering … [more] about 10 Crazy Steering Wheels We Want to Wrap

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • Choosing the Right Grommet for Long Lasting Performance
  • Chinese Automaker Patents Slide Out Toilet for Drivers Who Can’t Hold It
  • The Foam and Adhesives Industry’s Biggest Event Returns in June
  • A Porsche Master Upholsterer is Retiring After 40 Years
  • Trimmer James Bechtel Dies at 84

Recent Comments

  • Edward Munday on Hidden Mouse Nest? How to Charge for the Extra Dirty Work
  • Jack on Keyston Bros. Acquires DLT Corporation
  • Brodie Smith on Aston Martin Just Introduced a New Convertible DB12
  • THE CAPTAIN on 6 Tips for Turning Callers into Customers
  • Dmei on Star Wars Seat Covers are ‘So Wizard’

Advertise With Us!

We're always looking for companies to collaborate with. Watch this short video about the benefits of sponsorship and then email us to say hi.

Copyright © 2026 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in