Do You Know These Things Dirtier Than A Toilet?

Keyboards

Considering many of us sit in front of this device four countless of hours, expecting a huge quantity of germs should go without saying. From sneezing to bringing all the bacteria you’re hands have collected, your keyboard has seen it all. A study showed that keyboards can be up to 5 times dirtier than a toilet.

Refrigerators

The refrigerators may be the last place you want to think that are germier than a toilet but this is true for most people’s kitches. In fact, most refrigerators not only test positive for E. Coli – but also for Salmonella, Listeria, yeast and mold. Make sure to clean the bottom shelves of the refrigerator thoroughly as the moisture and condensation from food on upper shelves eminently lands on the bottom shelves. It may also serve well to package the foods instead of allowing direct contact. Check out this study from National Science Foundation to get more in depth details.

Ice in Fast-Food Restaurants

In the last year, the efforts of a group of conscientious people have brought to light the poor quality of food fast-food restaurants sell – who knew that things were so bad that we couldn’t even trust their ice. A 12 year old girl’s (Jasmine Roberts) science project provided evidence that ice in fast food restaurants was 70% more likely to be dirtier than the toilet water of the same restaurant; she ranked 1st in a regional science fair – she was awarded $800 for her this. We think she’s a genius.

Cell Phones

After taking swabs from 90 devices, “hazardous” levels of bacteria – including E. Coli – was found. Check out this article for more details!

Carpets

There is a reason many people prefer wood/ceramic floors over carpets. Hard floors are just way easier to maintain and the clean-ups are a no nuisance.  Carpets provide a wonderful safe haven for germs, who rely on the millions of skin cells you shed daily for food. The germ scenario with carpet is so appalling; studies have claimed that carpet is 4000 times dirtier than a toilet. A good idea around this problem is to cover the portion of the carpeted floor with smaller (decorative) washable carpets!

Shopping Carts (But also Reusable Shopping Bags)

A study done in University of Arizona showed that 72% of the 85 tested shopping carts contained fecal matter – E. Coli was found in 50% of them, also. Similarly, shopping bags have been tested positively for fecal matter also so make it your chore to include them in your laundry also and to wash all unpackaged food as thoroughly as possible!

TV Remote

If it’s not the computer or your cellphone entertaining you, chances are it’s a TV. TV remotes are also a victim to hazardous bacteria so make sure you disinfect from time to time – use wipes not a spray! It is interesting that even though we use it on an almost daily basis, most of us never consider that our TV remotes might need a little cleaning.

Your Work Desk

Its not so much that your desk at work is dirtier, it is mainly because most people almost never take the time to ever clean it. This is even more true for people that have huge clutters on their desk and also spend their lunches – an inescapable scenario for many that suffer through short breaks. Check out this article to further the discussion.

Your Bed

Your dead skin cells and natural body oils are a treat to millions of dust mites (and their droppings) that call your mattress and pillow their homes. There are interesting theories that suggest that mattresses can double in weight over a span of 8 years of consistent use, although we aren’t sure we buy into that. Here’s an interesting article on the topic. We hope it encourages you to change your sheets more often!

Women Purses/Handbags

According to Peter Barratt, Technical Manager at Initial Hygiene, “handbags come into regular contact with our hands and a variety of surfaces, so the risk of transferring different germs onto them is very high, especially as bags are rarely cleaned.” For many women, a purse serves a portable drawer; unfortunately, this – along with the fact that there are times when a purse can be placed on dirty surfaces unconsciously – also makes it a home to tons of bacteria. Check out this article for more information.