• 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 Muaddi

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
  • Albright's Supply
  • Hyde Leather
  • Keyston Bros
  • MasterTech Expo 2026
  • OEM+ Banner Ad - The Hog Ring
  • Douglass Interior Products

THR Favorites

The Hog Ring - How to Upholster a Steering Wheel

This is How to Upholster a Steering Wheel

Want to learn how to upholster a steering … [more] about This is How to Upholster a Steering Wheel

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - JS Custom Upholstery

Shop Profile: JS Custom Interiors

In Just 10 years, JS Custom Interiors of Salt … [more] about Shop Profile: JS Custom Interiors

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?

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring- Skiving Machine

Should You Buy a Skiving Machine?

Brent Parker of Brent Parker Motor … [more] about Should You Buy a Skiving Machine?

10 Questions for Trimmer Shannon Walters

If you were to poll the hot rod community to … [more] about 10 Questions for Trimmer Shannon Walters

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - M&M Hot Rod Interiors

Shop Profile: M&M Hot Rod Interiors

Since 1982, M&M Hot Rod Interiors in … [more] about Shop Profile: M&M Hot Rod Interiors

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • Nexus Fastening Co. Introduces Solid Gold Hog Rings for Luxury Cars
  • Everything We Covered in March 2026
  • WyoTech Taps Dominic Olson for Upholstery Program, Installs New NC Machines
  • MasterTech Expo 2026 Draws Global Crowd and Raises the Bar Again
  • Free SEMA Webinar: How to Start Your Own Auto Shop

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