15 Everyday Items That Are Dirtier Than a Toilet Seat
You might think your toilet is the dirtiest thing you touch daily, but these everyday items are crawling with even more bacteria.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Toilets have a poor reputation for being dirty, but research shows that many things contain considerably more germs. Bacteria, mold, and viruses may be found on items we touch all the time, such as our phones, wallets, and kitchen sponges. Here are 15 unexpectedly dirty items that make a toilet seat appear spotless in comparison.
1. Your Smartphone
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Your phone goes everywhere with you, including places you’d never put a toilet seat. Studies show that the average phone carries ten times more bacteria than a bathroom surface.
2. Kitchen Sponges
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Warm, damp, and filled with food particles, kitchen sponges are a breeding ground for bacteria. In fact, they can contain more germs than a toilet bowl.
3. Shopping Cart Handles
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Hundreds of hands touch shopping cart handles daily, transferring bacteria from food, money, and personal items. Studies have found E. coli and even traces of fecal matter on them.
4. Your Pillowcase
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Dead skin cells, sweat, and oils build up on pillowcases, creating the perfect environment for bacteria and dust mites. Washing pillowcases in hot water at least once a week keeps them fresh and hygienic.
5. TV Remote
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Everyone in the household touches the remote, but how often is it cleaned? It collects germs from dirty hands, food spills, and dust, making it one of the dirtiest objects in your home.
6. Elevator Buttons
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Touched by countless people daily, elevator buttons are hotspots for bacteria and viruses. Researchers have found more germs on them than on public restroom surfaces.
7. Your Keyboard
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Crumbs, dirt, and skin cells accumulate between the keys, creating a perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. Studies show that keyboards can contain hundreds of times more germs than toilet seats.
8. Reusable Water Bottles
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If not washed properly, reusable water bottles can develop harmful bacteria and mold inside. The moist environment makes them one of the dirtiest items people use daily.
9. Handbags and Wallets
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Your purse or wallet touches dirty surfaces, such as restaurant tables, shopping carts, and public restrooms. Researchers have found that the bottoms of handbags often contain more bacteria than a toilet seat.
10. Cutting Boards
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Even after washing, cutting boards can retain bacteria from raw meat, vegetables, and other foods. Wooden boards, in particular, can trap germs deep within tiny grooves.
11. ATM Keypads
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Thousands of hands touch ATM buttons daily, spreading bacteria and viruses. Studies have found traces of fecal matter, cold viruses, and harmful bacteria on these keypads.
12. Car Steering Wheel
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Your hands transfer germs from food, door handles, and money to your steering wheel every time you drive. Research shows steering wheels can be four times dirtier than a public toilet seat.
13. Gym Equipment
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Sweat, skin cells, and bacteria from multiple users accumulate on gym machines and weights. Without proper cleaning, these surfaces can harbor germs that cause infections.
14. Makeup Brushes
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Used daily but rarely cleaned, makeup brushes collect bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells. Dirty brushes can lead to breakouts and skin infections.
15. Light Switches
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Everyone touches light switches, but they’re often overlooked during cleaning. The constant contact makes them a hotspot for germs and bacteria.