While we do all we can and spend all the money we have to make it look gorgeous on the outside, it is the inside that we really need to pay attention to.

Hidden to the human eyes are all sorts of germs, bacteria, virus and mould; all which could make you and your family really sick.

A study conducted by experts at Queen Mary University in London a couple of years ago revealed that around 700 kinds of bacteria live in our car, compared to just 60 types in public toilets.

Yup, your car interior is technically much dirtier than a toilet. Who would've thought, right?

The interior of your car may be small, but there are plenty of spots and spaces that can be a breeding ground for unwanted and potentially dangerous bacteria.

If you have no idea where to start looking and cleaning, don't worry; let us help you out:

#1 Floor mats

Just think about this: you go outside, you walk around a mall, you hit the washroom before you go off, then you head to a nursery to pick up some fertiliser for your plants, and when you get into your car, everything that's picked up by the soles of your shoes from all the places you've visited will now be transferred to your floor mat.

Floor mats are arguably one of the most unhygienic spots in your vehicle, simply due to the fact that it is the part of your vehicle that come into close contact with the soles of your kicks. If you have a habit of eating in your car, food crumbs can easily fall onto the floor mats, and once you leave your car, pests like ants and cockroaches will come out and have a little potluck party.

On top of that, if you're using cheap coil floor mats, you can be certain that they will be a breeding ground for bacteria. That funky scent you keep smelling every time you step into your car? Chances are that it's coming from your floor mats.

#2 Car boot

Another place that is a common breeding ground for germs and bacteria is none other than the car boot.

We put almost everything in the trunk: bags, boxes, shoes, dirty clothes from the gym (yes, we're guilty of doing this!) and groceries. If your trunk is not protected by a mat, all these items can leave a stain on the floor of your car boot, and these stains could quickly turn into a breeding ground for bacteria.

Car boots generally do not have good ventilation, so the heat and the humidity will encourage bacteria to thrive, and that is not good.

#3 Air cond vents

Ask any Malaysians and they will tell you that the most important part of a vehicle is the air cond, especially when the weather is so scorching hot these days. It is a shame that it is also considered one of the more unhygienic spots in your car.

Mould and fungi can grow in your air cond vents due to the moisture caused by condensation and humidity in the car. When you turn on the air conditioning in your car, the bacteria and germs caused by the mould will circulate in your car with no where to go...except up your nose and into your lungs.

If you notice a bad odour in your car, especially when you turn your air conditioner on, or you feel like no air is blowing out of the vents, chances are that it is full of mould. Go and have it checked out soon.

#4 The gaps between the seats

AKA the place where your phone or coins always drop into. The gaps between your car seats are very small, hence it is why we always do not pay attention to them, and that's not a good thing.

Food crumbs or a piece of wrapping paper can easily slipped into the gaps, and that will almost guarantee invite small insects. As the gaps are nestled away in darkness, it is also the perfect place for germs and bacteria to grow.

Just remember to check the gaps once in a while, yeah, you guys.

#5 Steering wheel

It is simple: if your hands are dirty, chances are that your steering wheel will be dirty too.

If you do not have a habit of washing your hands or sanitising frequently (ewww!), you'll transfer all the germs and bacteria on your hands onto the steering wheel. So, it is a no brainer that the steering wheel is one of the most unhygienic places in your car.

In fact, this study revealed that a car's steering wheel is four times dirtier than toilets, so, yeah, remember to sanitise your steering wheel often!

How to get rid of the bacteria

Now that you know which areas of the car that you need to pay more attention to, it's time to go to war against all the bacteria and germs that are living rent-free in your precious vehicle.

Here's what you can do to get started:

Wash your car more often Yeah, we know it can be a chore sometimes, but keeping your car clean inside out will ensure that you and your family will not be harmed by 'em nasty bacteria. Remember to also dust off and wash your floor mats often, or better yet, invest in higher quality floor mats that will help you eliminate bacteria.

Periodically service your car's air conditioner When was the last time you had your car's air conditioner looked at? If you can't remember, means it's time to bring it in for a check up. The last thing you want is to have you and your kids inhaling germs and bacteria into their system, so bring your car over to a workshop and have the air conditioner checked out soon.

Wipe down often Whenever you can, wipe down the interior of your car using a packet of wet wipes, alcohol swabs or just a piece of wet cloth. Focus on areas where your hands touch the most, like the steering wheel, the gear lever and the door handles.

Invest in hygiene bundles If you can stock up hygiene bundles for your home, you should also consider stocking up on hygiene bundles for your car. We're talking about disinfectant sprays, wet wipes and hand sanitisers.

Solutions from the best

If you need more help, our friends from Trapo Malaysia has the perfect solution for you guys.

Trapo Malaysia provides a wide range of affordable car interior products and accessories with one goal in mind: eliminate all the harmful bacteria and germs in your car with extreme prejudice.

Their renowned Trapo car mats, for instance, are infused with an active Japanese antibacterial agent that Trapo Malaysia claims can eliminate 99.9 per cent of bacteria that dares to call your floor mat home.

On top of that, the car mats are three times more durable than the cap ayam car mats you can find outside, and its design means that it can trap mud and dirt more easily.

The anti-slip Trapo car mats are also 100 per cent waterproof, so they are easy to clean and an even easier to dry. Most importantly, the mats are smell-free, so you can say goodbye to that musky smell that's been terrorising your car.

The Trapo car mats come in three different versions: the Trapo Classic (Mark II), the Trapo Eco and the more premium Trapo Hex.

Click here to find out which one is most suitable for your car.

Now that we have your new car mats sorted (you're welcome!), it's time to eliminate the airborne germs, bacteria and viruses, and thankfully Trapo Malaysia has the thing for that too.

Trapo Malaysia introduced their Oxtra Hygiene Total Protection Bundle back in October to combat the coronavirus, as well as the other harmful airborne germs that you can find in your car.

The bundle, which retails for RM340, consists of:

This motion sensing air purifier was designed to keep you and your famil safe from contaminated air. With just a wave of the hand, this USB-powered air purifier expel polluted air, unwanted odours and secondhand smoke, leaving your space will only clean air. It is small and quiet enough to be used in your office or your room too!

This antibacterial spray can be used to disinfect and sterilised touch-points in your car, your home and yes, even your hands. Trapo Malaysia claims that the Nano Clean Spray can instantly kill 99.9 per cent of viruses and bacteria, and it provides six hours of protection. No viruses can live rent free in your car now!

Now that you have trapped the viruses in the corner, the Oxtra Antibac Car Spray will kill them off, as it eliminates 99.99 per cent of the bacteria in your car in just 15 minutes. On top of eliminating the bacteria that's residing in your car, the Antibac Car Spray also neutralises bad odour and the smell of cigarettes, providing you with a fresh and environment.

You can check out their various Hygiene Bundles by clicking here, or purchase the items separately.

Now that you know where to get the things you need to make sure that your vehicle is safe for you and your family, Trapo Malaysia has another surprise for you!

You can get a 10 per cent discount on your purchases when you insert the code 'ROJAKDAILY10' during check out.

What are you waiting for? Go and show the bacteria who's boss now!