Surfaces that are dirtier than your toilet seat

The doorknobs get touched over and over again by hands, that are considered the dirtiest part of the human body. A study was conducted where viruses were put onto doorknobs in a workplace, and then it was discovered that upto 60 per cent of the people inside the office picked up the virus.
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You use it in bed; you use it on the go, you use it while eating, and you definitely use it while sitting on the toilet, even though experts say you shouldn’t. No wonder it’s coated in germs. An average phone has 10 times more bacteria than a toilet seat, according to this study from the University of Arizona. In fact, 16 per cent of all cellphones actually have traces of fecal matter on them. A recent study discovered that 9 out of 10 cellphones have disease carrying germs, so think twice before you put your phone to your ear next time.
​(Picture Courtesy: Shutterstock images)

Your keyboard is anywhere up to 200 times more filthy than your toilet seat. Keyboards harbored up to five times the germs of a toilet seat, says a study. Without realising, you are spreading germs and bacteria with each and every keystroke. To clean your keyboard, turn it over and tap out the dirt, then use a disinfectant wipe to banish the germs.

You come out of the washroom and the first thing you touch is the washbasin tap so it’s hardly surprising that it is loaded with germs. A study has found bathroom taps have upto 21 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. A kitchen tap is even worse, with food bacteria added to the mix. A kitchen tap can contain upto 44 times more bacteria than a bathroom or lavatory.

Just like a cell phone, women take their purses everywhere and put them down in as many places. We don’t think before putting them carelessly under the table at a restaurant, on the bathroom floor, or under our seats at the movie theater. A study showed that one out of every five handbags has enough bacteria in it to become a health risk. Leather handbags are the worst offenders here because the spongy texture is a perfect environment for bacteria to grow.

An average steering wheel may have up to 700 bacteria per square inch. You may not think of it, your car is actually a breeding ground for all types of cooties. You use the ATM, a grocery cart, a gas pump, bring in some fast good in your car, sneeze on your hands and then touch the steering wheel making it among the top germ breeders.

It’s just come out the washing machine, we hear you ask, so how can it possibly be more dirty than a toilet seat? Your laundry may get clean in the washing machine, but germs and bacteria stay there and thrive. Undergarments are the biggest problem considering they have traces of fecal matter. You can use bleach and hot water to get rid of germs or let your clothes dry outside, as sun is the most effective and natural germ killer.