Think Your Toilet Seat is Dirty? These Items Are Worse

When it's time for your weekly house cleaning, you likely hit all the big spots. The kitchen, living room, bathroom, bedroom. But have you thought about all the little things in your home that are carrying a scary amount of germs.

Some of these items you use everyday and likely don't clean enough are dirtier than your toilet seat. Whether they're hiding in the shadows are out in the open for everyone to see and touch, these items are haboring bacteria just waiting to be spread.

No matter how clean you think you or your house is, there are still germs hiding in plain sight. The good news is you'll soon find out what things you need to start adding into your cleaning schedule.

What Are Germs?

We've all heard the word germs and might cringe just thinking about them, but do you actually know what germs are and how they can affect us?

Germs, also known as microbes, are everywhere. They're on our body, our food, our pets, and even in the air. Most germs are harmless, thanks to our immune system that helps protect us from infections, also known as infectious agents. There are five different types of infectious agents: bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoans, and helminths.

Bacteria

Bacteria are single-celled organisms found everywhere, from our bodies to the soil. While many are beneficial, aiding in digestion and producing essential nutrients, others can cause disease.

These harmful bacteria produce toxins that damage our cells or invade tissues directly, leading to infections like strep throat, tuberculosis, and urinary tract infections.

Viruses

Even smaller than bacteria, viruses are essentially genetic material wrapped in a protein coat. They cannot reproduce on their own and must invade living cells to multiply.

Once inside, they hijack the cell to create more viruses, eventually destroying the host cell. This process leads to illnesses such as the common cold, influenza, measles, chickenpox, shingles, and COVID-19.

Unlike bacteria, antibiotics are ineffective against viruses; antiviral medications are needed to fight them.

Fungi

While we often associate fungi with mushrooms and cheese, other types can cause infections. Candida, which is a type of yeast, can lead to oral thrush and other infections. Fungi also cause skin conditions like athlete's foot and ringworm.

Protozoa

Protozoa are single-celled organisms that can cause various diseases. They live in different environments, including water, soil, and the human body.

Some common protozoan infections include giardiasis, malaria, and toxoplasmosis. These organisms often have complex life cycles, involving different stages in various hosts.

Helminths

Helminths, also known as parasitic worms, are larger than other microorganisms. Tapeworms and roundworms are common examples. They can infect humans through contaminated food, water, or soil.

Once inside the body, they attach to the intestines, lungs, liver, skin, or brain, feeding off the host's nutrients.

How Germs Affect US

Germs are everywhere in our environment and unavoidable. While many are harmless or even beneficial, others can make us sick. Understanding how these invisible invaders affect our health is crucial for preventing disease and staying healthy.

One way germs impact health is by causing infections.

When harmful germs enter the body, they multiply and interfere with normal bodily functions. This can cause conditions ranging from mild discomfort to severe illness.

For example, viruses like the common cold and influenza cause respiratory infections, which can cause coughing, sneezing, and congestion.

Bacteria can lead to a wider range of infections, including skin infections, urinary tract infections, and pneumonia.

Beyond causing acute illnesses, some germs have long-term health consequences.

Chronic infections, such as those caused by certain bacteria and viruses, can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of other diseases.

There is growing recognition of the role of the microbiome, the community of microorganisms living in and on our bodies, in overall health. An imbalance in the microbiome has been linked to conditions, including digestive disorders, autoimmune diseases, and mental health issues.

Germs can also spread rapidly through communities, leading to outbreaks and epidemics. This is particularly true in crowded settings like schools, hospitals, and nursing homes.

Factors such as poor hygiene, uncleanliness, and lack of vaccination can contribute to the spread of infectious diseases.

Items Dirtier Than a Toilet Seat

While vaccuming your carpet and washing your clothes are important chores, there are other items in your home you should make sure you're cleaning regularly.

1. Your Cell Phone

You know that device you touch with your hands and to your face every day? Yea, that can be dirtier than a toilet seat. Not only does your phone carry more germs than a toilet seat, but research suggests it is 10x dirtier.

According to the Federal Communications Commission, the best way to clean your phone is to wipe it with a lint-free cloth dampened with soap and water. Do not use bleach, alcohol, or vinegar as it can wear down the screen.

In addition, wash your hands regularly and avoid using your cell phone in the bathroom.

2. Cutting Board

Even if you throw it in the dishwasher, your cutting board can carry more germs than a toilet seat. This next part might be enough to make you sick. According to Charles Gerba, PhD, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona, on average, cutting boards have 200 times more fecal bacteria than a toilet seat.

While this doesn't seem possible unless your cutting onions in your bathroom, this fecal bacteria can comes from raw meat.

To properly clean your cutting board, soak it in two teaspoons of bleach and a gallon of water after taking out of the dishwasher.

3. Faucet Handles

While washing your hands is essential for keeping bad germs away, the faucet handle your touching might be harboring more germs than the toilet next to it. In fact, research shows faucet handles and the sink can contain 44x more germs.

To keep germs at bay, it's recommended to clean your handles and sink daily with bleach solutions or disinfecting wipes.

4. Dish Sponge

When you're washing your dishes, you might think they're squeaky clean, but you might want to think again. Studies show used kitchen sponges can harbor 45 million germs per square centimeter.

Along with sponges, dish clothes are also prone to contain the largest amount of fecal bacteria like E. coli since they're not replaced as often as they should be.

To help avoid these germs, you can put your wet dish sponge in the microwave everyday for two minutes. You also want to replace your sponges every 1-2 weeks and wash your dish clothes regularly.

5. Toothbrush Holder

You might be used to replacing your toothbrush every couple of months to avoid spreading germs in your mouth, but when was the last time you cleaned or replaced its holder?

The holder is likely dirty with old water and dried toothpaste, and you shouldn't ignore it anymore. Research suggests that nearly 30% of toothbrush holders show signs of coliform, or bacteria found in the digestive tract and feces of humans and animals. The research also shows that only 5% of toilet seats show signs of the same bacteria.

Make sure to clean your toothbrush holder with sanitizing soap at least once or twice a week. You can also put it in the dishwasher if it's safe to.

6. Pet Bowls

You're not the only one on your house in danger of germs - your pet is too. Your pet's food bowl can contain thousands of bacteria.

In fact, your dog could pick up about 295 bacteria per square inch if they lick the toilet seat. However, they could pick up an alarming 2,110 bacteria per square inch by licking their food bowl.

To protect your furry friend from germs, be sure to wash their food bowls with soap and bowl after every meal.

Don't Forget the Toilet Seat

These studies may seem scary, but truthfully, germs are unavoidable. Whether you're in your home, at work, at the store, or anywhere else, you're bound to collect germs from any surface.

Don't fret - by keeping the big and little things in your home clean, you can help avoid the bad germs that make you sick. While soap and bleach will do what they can, it's up to you to stay consistent with a cleaning schedule to stay healthy and (almost) germ-free.