Whether you’re loading up for a cross-country adventure or just heading out for a weekend escape, road trips are a great way to explore—but they also come with an unexpected passenger: germs. From fast food stops to shared restrooms, every leg of your journey adds another layer of exposure. And your car? It’s more of a germ playground than most people realize.
So how do you keep things clean and comfortable on the road? Start with this simple, science-backed routine.
Why Your Steering Wheel Is Dirtier Than Your Toilet Seat
Let’s start with the facts. Research has shown that the average steering wheel harbors about 629 colony-forming units (CFU) of bacteria per square centimeter, compared to just 172 CFU on a public toilet seat [source: https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/your-steering-wheel-dirtier-public-toilet-ncna878021]. That makes your steering wheel one of the dirtiest surfaces you touch—every single day.
Other hotspots inside your vehicle include:
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Gear shifts
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Touchscreens
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Cupholders
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Seat belt buckles
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Door handles (inside and out)
These are all high-touch surfaces that accumulate sweat, skin oils, food residue, and airborne contaminants, especially during long drives with limited fresh air circulation.
What to Wipe Down After Every Rest Stop
Rest stops may offer a chance to stretch your legs, but they also expose you to new surfaces and shared germs. Every time you fuel up, grab a snack, or use a public restroom, you’re bringing potential pathogens back into your vehicle.
To cut down on spread, keep SONO Travel Wipes easily accessible and use them to disinfect the following after every break:
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Steering wheel
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Door handles
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Gear selector
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Cupholders and armrests
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Touchscreen displays and keypads
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Your hands (our wipes are alcohol-free and skin-safe)
And if you let your dog ride shotgun? Wipe down their paws before they hop back in.
Our Go-To Road Trip Cleaning Routine
Keeping a car clean on the road doesn’t mean deep-cleaning every hour—it just means being intentional. Here’s a 3-step routine that works:
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Start Clean: Before the trip begins, wipe down all high-touch surfaces in your vehicle. Don’t forget the trunk handle and glove compartment.
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Rest Stop Routine: After each stop, use a SONO wipe to clean your hands, steering wheel, gear shift, and touchscreen.
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End-of-Day Reset: Give your front seats and center console area a once-over before heading to your hotel or campsite.
This quick routine takes less than 5 minutes, prevents germ buildup, and helps maintain a fresh-smelling car without the need for chemical-heavy sprays.
Why SONO Wipes Are Perfect for Travel
Unlike traditional disinfecting products that rely on harsh alcohols or bleach, SONO Wipes are:
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Alcohol-Free – Safe for skin and electronics
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Residue-Free – No sticky or greasy aftermath
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Fragrance-Free – No overpowering scent in tight spaces
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Multi-Surface Compatible – Great for vinyl, plastic, metal, and glass
They’re compact, TSA-friendly, and designed to clean both surfaces and hands—so you’re not juggling separate products mid-trip.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Forget These Hidden Germ Zones
Here are a few often-overlooked spots that deserve a quick wipe:
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Rearview mirror
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Parking meters or toll booth buttons
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Gas pump handles (before touching your keys or phone again)
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Reusable water bottles and snack containers
Want more seasonal tips? Check out our other SONO Wipes guides:
Final Thought:
Your road trip should be about memories, not microbes. A few wipes, a quick routine, and the right products can keep your ride fresh from point A to point Z. Safe travels—and cleaner surfaces—start here.
