Have you ever stopped and thought about some of the germ filled items in your home? I know it’s not something we want to think about, but it is something to definitely be aware of. We come across and handle so many germ filled items and surfaces at home or work that we don’t even realize. Now, this isn’t to try and gross you out or scare you, but since there are a number of things in our homes that are germ hot spots, I wanted to share the seven most germ filled items in your home with you so we can all be more careful.
Snapshot Survey
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Please subscribe for your personalized newsletter:
1. Your Purse and Wallet
I don’t know about you, but I don’t have a problem with setting my purse on the floor of a restaurant. I don’t love doing it and wish there were another way for me to comfortably enjoy my meal, but I do it because there’s no room for it and I don’t carry one of those purse hanger hooks. But anyone who places their purse on the ground is also picking up whatever debris and bacteria is on the floor, so it ends up being one of the germ filled items in your home. Wallets are dirty because paper money is generally very dirty. After you handle your wallet, make sure you wash your hands. As for your purse, if there is any way you can hang it or set it on a seat, opt for that rather than the floor.
2. Your Kitchen Sponge
It was only recently that I discovered just how filthy our kitchen sponges are. Yes, the very item we use to wash and clean our dishes is one of the germy items we keep in our house. According to Real Simple, kitchen sponges regularly test positive for Salmonella, E. coli, influenza and Staphylococcus. Wet sponges are the perfect breeding ground for mold and if you wipe down your countertops, you could be smearing all this gunk all over your counters. After each use, rinse out the sponge with hot water and wring it out. At the end of the day, throw it in the microwave for a minute to sterilize it.
Frequently asked questions
3. Your Remote Control
Your TV remote stays in your house and doesn’t regularly come in contact with anything dirty, so you would think it would be clean, but it’s not. People regularly touch and handle the remote control, but it rarely gets cleaned. And when someone gets sick, they get their cooties all over it and then we go back to using it like the germs just disappear or something. Do yourself and your family a favor by disinfecting the remote at least once a week.
4. Your Makeup
Whenever you handle your beauty products, it is of utmost importance to make sure your hands are clean before doing so. Touching your makeup with unclean fingers transfers dirt and bacteria, which can result in acne or infections like pinkeye. Always wash your hands before you wash your face or touch any beauty products, and don’t forget to wash your makeup brushes on a regular basis, too.
5. Your Toothbrush
This is another case where the item that you’re using to clean something can be dirty. Toothbrushes come in contact with germs from your mouth every day. Then, it sits in the bathroom by a toilet so the bristles can come in contact with airborne bacteria released through flushing-you get the idea. Mold, Strep, E.coli and Listeria are all said to be found on toothbrushes, so it’s wise to regularly replace your toothbrushes and let them air dry (away from the toilet). Real Simple notes that by closing the lid when you flush, you can dramatically reduce the number of bacteria in the air.
Related Videos about
6. Your Electronics
Just like the remote control, I bet many people touch and use the electronics in your home, but they rarely get cleaned. Computer keyboards, tablets, laptops, your mouse and cell phone all come in contact with germs and bacteria on a regular basis. Invest in some cleaning wipes made specifically for cleaning electronics, so if your roommate decides to touch your stuff with dirty fingers, at least you’ll be germ-free.
7. Your Yoga Mat
Whether you use your own yoga mat or use a communal one at the gym, if they aren’t getting regularly cleaned, you could be surrounding yourself with the germs and bacteria of fellow gym goers. Even if your yoga sessions aren’t the most vigorous, it’s still a good idea to wipe down your mat after every use. ABCNews notes that germs on unclean yoga mats can linger for days. If you use your gym’s yoga mats, wipe it down with sanitizer before you use it or start bringing your own that you clean after each use.
Were you aware of all these germ-filled areas and items around you? It can be unsettling to know that your personal items come in contact with so many germs, dirt and bacteria, but if we’re mindful about keeping our hands and items clean, we’re good!
Sources: abcnews.go.com, fitnessmagazine.com, realsimple.com, healthline.com
Feedback Junction
Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge