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5 Everyday Items That Harbor More Bacteria Than Your Toilet Seat

Isabella Reed2 min read
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5 Everyday Items That Harbor More Bacteria Than Your Toilet Seat — Household
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When it comes to bacteria, most people immediately think of bathrooms, especially toilet seats. But the everyday items we keep close at hand can carry way more bacteria than you'd expect. Here are five common objects that actually have more germs than your toilet seat.

Kitchen Cutting Board

The kitchen is the heart of the home, but many don’t realize that cutting boards can be a hotspot for bacteria. Wooden boards especially soak up moisture, creating a perfect breeding ground for microbes. Leftover bits from raw meat and veggies only add to the risk.

Make sure to clean cutting boards thoroughly after each use and disinfect them regularly to keep harmful bacteria at bay. It’s smart to use separate boards for meat and vegetables.

Mobile Phone

A personal perspective photo of a woman while wiping her phone with alcohol wet wipe at home.

We probably spend more time with our phones than any other object, so it’s no surprise they’re loaded with bacteria. Studies show that phone screens can carry up to 10 times more germs than an average toilet seat.

Surprisingly, many of us skip cleaning our phones regularly. Wiping them daily with a disinfecting wipe can make a big difference in reducing germs.

Wallet

Cash and coins in our wallets travel through countless hands and surfaces before reaching us, picking up bacteria along the way. Paper money especially absorbs all kinds of grime.

Regularly cleaning your wallet and washing your hands after handling cash are simple steps to keep germs in check.

Remote Control

Remote controls, especially those shared in public spaces or multi-person households, are prime germ carriers. They’re touched by many different hands from various environments, making them potential germ hotspots.

Disinfecting remotes regularly with a simple cleaning wipe works wonders to keep them clean and safe.

Car Steering Wheel

We often overlook the inside of our cars when it comes to cleaning, especially the steering wheel, which we touch multiple times a day. After daily activities, our hands bring germs right to the wheel, turning it into a bacteria hotspot.

Just like phones, it’s a good idea to disinfect your steering wheel regularly, especially during colder months when bacteria thrive indoors.

Keeping our homes and surroundings clean means paying attention to these everyday items that quietly harbor bacteria. Regular cleaning and disinfecting are simple, empowering steps to protect your health.

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