When your car key or car ignition cable is dirty, you can make a quick and effective cleaning method. It is called washing and it has a few names such as dishwashing, cleaning, and washing.
Washing your keys can be fun. You can get into the habit of doing it every day to keep them nice and clean. Plus, you can learn some new names for them like “master” or “slave” keys.
This article will go more in depth on how to do a good wash on your keys and how to store your keys in a safe way so they do not rot away.
Contents:
Put car keys in the freezer
If your car keys look a little dirty, you can put them in the freezer to help them clean back up. This works for many different types of keys, not just car keys.
Some common key types include ones for house doors and keys to air conditioning and cooling systems. When cleaning with the freezing option, make sure to mark your key so it remembers which system it belongs in.
Put your key in a bowl of cold water until you change the car’s oil or wash your vehicle. Or put them in one of those plastic bags they use for shoes to stay dry while you clean!
To freeze these safely, make sure they are completely dry before putting them in the freezer. If some water gets inside, it will prevent freezing and possibly harm the key.
Use a dry paper towel
When cleaning car keys, try using a dry paper towel instead of rubbing a alcohol-based cleaner into the key. This may seem strange, but remember that you are trying to keep your keys clean and safe.
To put it simply, the dirt and grease that is on the key will be pulled off when you rub the alcohol solution into it. This will prevent you from having to repeat this process later, when you need to re-clean your keys.
Instead of washing your keys with soap and water, use a mild soap and water mixture only where needed like washing your hair. This will help preserve the integrity of your keys, making it much easier to put in your purse or wallet so that you can go buy new ones when needed.
Use toothpaste
Most toothpaste brands claim that it can clean a key’s inside and outside. However, most brands do not mention whether it can remove ETX or not. This can be an issue if you need to replace your key but do not have the toothpaste!
Most brands of toothpaste contain sodiumhypochlorite, which prevents keys from sticking to the surface of the toothpaste. When they are inserted into the keyhole, it dissolves as it rubs against the bristles.
To prevent too much of this happening, use a small amount of toothpaste per key and only brush through one side of the key. Make sure to never brush against the opposite side of the key!
Another tip is to place a rag around your hand and then brush both sides of the key with that hand. This prevents too much of you brushing against either side that does not work or causes damage.
Use baking soda
So you have a car key that just won’t turn in either direction? Don’t worry- there are ways to get your car door open and your keys back!
Using a bit of plain white vinegar as a cleaning agent and baking soda as a general degreaser can help pick up the dust and grime that has built up over time.
Let it sit for at least an hour, then try turning the key. If it works, great! If not, try another method of opening the car door or car ride.
Both the vinegar and baking soda contain sodium bicarbonate, so if you have some leftover from recipe geniuses like this one, you can sprinkle that on to help remove more grime from the keys.
Wash your car keys in the sink
When your keys are dirty, the best way to clean them is in the sink. You can either wipe them with a cloth or flossing tool and then wash them in the dishwasher or washing machine.
Either way, be careful because some cleaning products can harm your dishes. So, check the ingredients first!
Also, be sure to put your keys away in their appropriate places. Some think putting them in a jewelry case or a small pouch is best, but this can affect quality of keystroke and accidentally opening a car door.
Putting them in your pocket can affect quality of keystroke when you get dressed later because of how tight the pants are.
Use rubbing alcohol
Most people do not know this, but car keys can be a very expensive item to have missing. If you don’t have them, use the keys that your car comes with.
If you do have new car keys, make sure to put a little bit of alcohol on the ridges that connect the key together. This will help you clean and preserve it so that you can re-key your vehicle.
To prevent this from happening, keep your keys in a safe place until you need them. You can store them in a box or tin, or even put some tape on them to prevent pulling off.
Use caution when cleaning the inside of the key. Make sure not to pull on any of the teeth or tabs as that could hurt the key. Instead, use a spiral-shaped object or something similar to insert into the slot and wipe out the inside of the key.
Combine some of these methods
Combine some of these methods to clean your car keys. You can do both at the same time!
Cleaning your car with a dry cloth is the most basic way to clean your car. To extend the life of your dry cloth, do not use soap or washing soda to wash it.
To extend the life of your soap, do not use very strong fragrances or cleaners as they may break down the rubber components of the key.
Washing your hands and then handling the key should preventmany common problems such as microbial growth, moisture, and accidental insertion.
If you want to add some scent or treat yourself, try using some lavender tea or lavender shampoo and conditioner.
Ask your local auto shop how to clean car keys
When you need to open a car door or start the car, you need your car key. Luckily, there are many ways to clean your keys so that you do not have to purchase a new one every month!
Many people recommend using their tablet as a key cleaner. You can download a free app from the Apple or Google store and run it on your keys. This makes it much easier to remove all of the keys from each of your vehicles!
You can also use a household cleaner and warm water together to wipe down your keys. Try doing this once a week to keep working at it and succeeding at cleaning your keys.
Last but not least, you can try using some alcohols.