The fight against germs is a never-ending struggle. People sanitize their hands, disinfect countertops, and keep their distance from anyone who’s coughing or sneezing. But even the most hygiene-conscious individuals may miss potential problem areas, and we’re here to point out one glaring example.
Most of us touch this object every day, but if asked when we last cleaned it, we’d likely struggle to remember. Many have probably never cleaned it at all. Let’s take a closer look at this overlooked touchpoint and how to keep it clean.
The Keys to Cleanliness
You touch your keys several times a day — but you’re not the only one handling them. You might give your house keys to a family member or toss your car keys to a valet without a second thought. Through it all, those keys likely accumulate a host of germs, yet they often go unsanitized. And at the end of the day, the dirty keys sit on your countertop, where bacteria can freely spread.
Fortunately, this is an easy issue to reverse. You can keep your keys germ-free with minimal effort. All you need are two small bowls, liquid dish soap, an old toothbrush, and a clean cloth.
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Before proceeding, remove any electronics or decorative items from the key ring to prevent water damage. Then fill two small bowls — one with warm water and a few drops of liquid dish soap, the other with plain water. Submerge the keys in the soapy solution and swirl them for a few seconds. Remove them and use the toothbrush to scrub away built-up dirt or grime, then rinse the keys in the bowl of clean water.
Now it’s time for the finishing touches. Dry the keys thoroughly to prevent rust; while most are made of rust-resistant brass or nickel-silver, this step also helps avoid water spots. Finally, apply isopropyl alcohol to a clean rag and wipe down the metal. This kills any remaining bacteria, leaving your keys sanitized and ready for use.
