Take a quick stroll into a public restroom and you already know how dirty toilets can be. But how’d you feel if we told you that some of the things you touch daily have even more germs? Unfortunately, we’re not pulling your leg. Keep reading to see which 6 everyday items are dirtier than a toilet seat.
Cutting boards have extra seasoning nobody wants
Rub-a-dub-dub, it’s time to give your cutting board a good scrub. A study performed by Dr. Charles Gerba found that the average kitchen cutting board contains 200 times more fecal bacteria than a toilet seat. That’s a special seasoning nobody wants on their food. Slicing raw meat can leave behind salmonella and campylobacter if you don’t wash your board properly. Therefore, it’s important to use a disinfectant and hot water or throw it in the dishwater. It’s also a good idea to use separate cutting boards for meats and vegetables to avoid cross-contamination.
Kitchen sponges spread germs
Believe it or not, your kitchen sponge is nowhere near as clean as you think. While you’re washing dishes and wiping countertops, you’re also spreading germs. Kitchen sponges and dishcloths contain the largest amount of E. coli and other fecal bacteria in the average home. Aside from replacing them frequently, you can also kill a lot of germs by heating your damp sponge in the microwave.
Your “clean” clothes aren’t so clean
When you do your laundry, you expect your clothes to come out clean. However, that may not be the case if your underwear is in there. The average pair of underwear contains one-tenth of a gram of poop. Washing a mixed load will spread at least 100 million E. coli in the water and onto your clothes. The best way to get rid of the germs is to use bleach and water that’s between 140-150 degrees.
Your office desk may be making you sick
Your job may be making you sick and it’s not due to stress. Research shows that the average work desk contains 400 times more germs than a toilet seat. That breaks down to approximately 20,961 germs per square inch. However, that’s not the only filthy spot in your office. The average keyboard contains 3,295 germs per square inch, the mouse has 1,676 and phone takes the cake with 25,127. If you want to stop the spread of germs like staph and E. coli, you need to wipe down the area with antibacterial wipes regularly.
Your beloved smartphone is 10x dirtier than a toilet seat
These days people are so inseparable from their phones that they can’t even use the bathroom without it. Therefore, it’s no surprise that smartphones carry 10 times more bacteria than most toilet seats. The easiest way to reduce the spread of germs is to leave your phone behind while you handle your business. It’s also a good idea to clean your device regularly. To do so, you’ll need a soft cloth as well as a mixture of 60% water and 40% rubbing alcohol. Just dip the cloth in the solution and give your phone a good scrub. Obviously, you don’t want to make the cloth soaking wet otherwise you run the risk of damaging your phone.
Ice from fast food restaurants
The next time you place an order at your favorite fast food joint, think twice about getting an ice-cold beverage. A study showed that ice in 6 out of 10 restaurants contained more bacteria than toilet water. If possible, stick to refrigerated bottled drinks or ask them to hold the ice instead.
