People are always quick to clean the obvious things in the home such as the floors, countertops, windows, etc. Unfortunately, there is one vital component of your home you are overlooking…the house keys!
Keys are among the 5 dirtiest things that humans come in contact with on a daily basis, which is alarming as they are breeding grounds for germs, disease, and much more.
This shouldn’t be too surprising if you think about everything you touch prior to using your house keys. Maybe it’s cash in your wallet, your car door handle, or some trash that wound up in your yard. All of these can contain bacteria and viruses that transfer over to your house keys.
It’s time to give your house keys the attention they deserve by learning how to clean them properly. Let’s dive in and learn how to clean house keys.
For a visual guide on how to clean house keys quickly, watch the following:
How To Clean House Keys
What You Will Need:
The beauty of this technique is that it utilizes everyday cleaning products that you likely have around your house already.
- All Purpose Cleaning Spray
- Alcohol-based disinfecting wipes
- Microfiber cloth or rag
- A bowl
- Dishwashing soap
- A toothbrush or a soft-bristled brush
Step 1: Clean and Sanitize the Key Ring
Most house keys are carried on a small key ring that needs to be cleaned!
- If you have a key ring, remove all of the keys and accessories from it. Find an easy place to work and prepare to clean the key ring.
To clean the key ring, spray an all-purpose cleaner so that it is sufficiently covered. Allow this to sit for as long as recommended on the manufacturing label (likely a few minutes).
- Once the all-purpose cleaner has sat, wipe the key ring clean using a microfiber cloth or towel. This will kill the bacteria and viruses present on your key ring.
Step 2: Clean Your Key Chain Accessories
Some people pile mounds of cute accessories onto their house key chains. You will want to repeat step one above for any accessories on the chain.
- If any of the accessories contain electronic components, such as flashlights, key cards, etc, use caution with the all-purpose cleaner and make sure to keep the electronic components dry.
- If the accessories are made of fabric, simply toss them in your next load of laundry to disinfect them of all possible bacteria.
Step 3: Was The Metal Key
It’s officially time to wash the key and restore it to its former glory. This step works for multiple keys at one time.
There are three great cleaning solutions for metal house keys: an all-purpose cleaner, hydrogen peroxide, and dish soap. Choose any of these three the use in the mixture below
Fill a bowl with 1 cup of warm water to begin. Add in a few drops of dish soap, or a quarter cup of hydrogen peroxide or APC, whichever you prefer. Place the metal house key into the solution and let it soak.
- After the key has soaked, use a soft bristle brush or a toothbrush to agitate any remaining dirt on the key. This process can be done for any metal key chain accessories that aren’t quite up to your standards as well.
- Once all components have been cleaned, dry them off using a microfiber rag or towel
If your key is separated from its key ring and accessories, reassemble everything. Here is a visual tutorial for how to create a DIY key storage tool for your house keys.
Additional House Key Tips and Tricks
1: Remove Bulky Key Chain Attachments
- If your house key is attached to your car key chain and has accessories, remove them. Although you may find them pleasing, your car’s ignition certainly does not. The weight of the key chain can wear out parts of the ignition called tumblers. When tumblers become worn, they are no longer able to engage and turn the car on.
2: Set A Regular Cleaning Schedule
- Congrats! You have cleaned your house keys after reading this guide…but they will get dirty again soon. Take the time to set a reminder on your phone to clean your keys every so often. It may seem random now, but you will thank yourself later.
Cleaning FAQ & Solutions
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