Welcome to Top X, where we uncover the dirtiest secrets lurking in your everyday spaces. In this article, we’re delving into the grimy depths of your own home to reveal the top 30 things that are dirtier than a toilet seat. Brace yourself – you may never look at your house the same way again.
Ice: The Chilled Haven of Germs
Number 30 on our list is a chilling revelation. Did you know that the average person’s ice from their freezer contains a staggering 65% more germs than their toilet water? Yes, you read that correctly. Cubed or crushed, ice becomes a breeding ground for bacteria due to the accumulation of germs inside ice makers and the mold that often forms within them. So think twice before dropping that ice cube into your drink.
Pillows: A Sticky Situation
Moving on to number 29, we unveil a particularly disturbing fact about your beloved pillows. These cozy resting spots are home to dust mites, skin cells, body secretions, dead bugs, and fungi. In fact, these unsavory elements make up a third of the weight of your pillow. That’s right – your pillow is harboring a mini ecosystem of mites and microbes. It’s no wonder they’re breeding grounds for MRSA, flu bugs, and even leprosy. Experts recommend changing your pillow every six months to keep the germs at bay.
Kitchen Sponges: The Unsanitary Scrubbers
Prepare to be revolted by number 28 as we explore the filth lurking in your kitchen. Did you know that there are a staggering 11 million bacteria per square inch on your average kitchen sponge? That’s right – a single sponge is 260 thousand times dirtier than your toilet seat! One out of every three sponges even contains Staphylococcus bacteria. As sponges get reused over and over again, they accumulate more germs with each use. So next time you reach for that sponge, think about the cesspool of bacteria you’re spreading around your kitchen.
Clean Laundry: A Hidden Haven for Germs
Moving on to number 27, we dive into the unexpected realm of your supposedly clean laundry. While your clothes may emerge from the washing machine looking fresh, germs and bacteria often remain. In fact, your average wash load can transfer a whopping 100 million E.coli bacteria into the wash water, which can then be transferred to the next load. Detergents do nothing to fight these resilient bacteria, so it’s recommended to use bleach to ensure a truly clean laundry experience.
Restaurant Menus: A Recipe for Sickness
Number 26 reveals a little-known fact about those seemingly innocuous restaurant menus. How many people touch these menus each day, each week? Well, it’s been researched, and restaurant menus have been found to harbor a staggering 190,000 bacteria per square centimeter. Those with weaker immune systems and children are more likely to fall victim to these menu-borne bacteria. So the next time you’re handed a menu, think twice before diving into your culinary choices.
Shower Heads: A Bacterial Spray
Prepare to have your hygiene habits questioned with number 25. Bacteria forms around shower heads and grows into something called biofilm. Every time you turn on the shower, it blasts the bacteria onto your body through this film. Shockingly, water tested after going through the shower showed a staggering 90 times more bacteria than pre-shower head water. According to experts, metal shower heads are less likely to develop biofilm compared to their plastic counterparts.
Toothbrushes: A Germ-Filled Journey
Get ready for a dental dilemma with number 24. Did you know that when you flush a toilet, germs can travel up to six feet in the air and linger for over two hours? Guess where a lot of them land? That’s right – toothbrushes! Toothbrushes are often found in close proximity to toilets and become the unwitting recipients of these airborne germs. The next destination for these germs? Your mouth. So, remember to keep your toothbrush clean and in a location far from the toilet.
Soap Dispensers: Not So Clean Hands
Number 23 uncovers a disturbing truth about hand hygiene. One out of every four hand soap dispensers in public bathrooms is contaminated with germs that could lead to sickness. While air dryers may blow away 50% of the germs left on hands, that still leaves plenty to infect you. For a safer option, consider using hands-free soap dispensers, which greatly reduce the chances of contracting a sickness.
Bath Tubs: Soaking in Germs
Moving on to number 22, we turn our attention to a surprising haven for bacteria – your bath tub. Your bath tub drain contains a staggering 19,000 bacteria per square inch. The warm and moist environment of the bath tub is a breeding ground for bacteria, especially those washed off the human body or toys and other objects placed in the tub. So the next time you step into the shower to wash yourself off, remember that your bath tub may not be as clean as you think.
Gasoline Pumps: Fueling Germ Infections
Number 21 takes us to the gas station, where we uncover an inconvenient truth about gasoline pumps. You know those pumps you see every week when you fill up your car? Well, they have a shocking 80% more germs than your toilet seat. It makes sense when you consider how many different people touch them without any cleaning going on whatsoever. So, next time you’re at the pump, take a moment to contemplate the hidden germs you’re unwittingly encountering.
Your Carpet: A Playground for Germs
Prepare for a shock with number 20 as we reveal the germ-ridden state of your carpet. There are a staggering 210,000 bacteria per square inch on your average home carpet. This is a staggering 4,000 times more bacteria than your toilet seat! Human shedding plays a significant role in this germ-fest, as we shed 1.4 million skin cells per hour. Combine this with whatever is brought in on shoes, and you’ve got a petri dish of bacteria right beneath your feet.
Elevator Buttons: A Flu Season Fiasco
Number 19 exposes a rarely considered hotspot for germs – elevator buttons. Did you know that 95% of elevator buttons are contaminated with germs? Additionally, 1 out of 10 buttons carries germs that can lead to flu or sinus infections. During flu season, it’s worth considering using your elbow to press those buttons instead of your fingers. Stay vigilant and protect yourself from these unsuspecting germ carriers.
Cutting Boards: A Recipe for Bacterial Transfer
Number 18 explores the hazardous world of your kitchen cutting board. Most cutting boards have come into contact with raw meat at some point during their life. Raw meat, especially poultry, contains bacteria, including traces of fecal bacteria, which can then be transferred to the cutting board. Surprisingly, there are 250 times more bacteria on a chopping board than on a toilet seat. So next time you’re preparing a meal, remember to clean your cutting board thoroughly and regularly.
ATMs: Cash Machines of Infection
Number 17 reveals an inconvenient truth about those ubiquitous ATMs. Each button on an ATM has about 1,300 bacteria per square inch. As we interact with ATMs every day, we never know what germs the previous user has left behind for us to catch. Mostly, red flag bacteria are found on these buttons, which could lead to infection if they enter your body through a cut. So, exercise caution the next time you reach for that cash.
Refrigerators: The Chilling Reality of Germs
Number 16 opens the door to the hidden dangers lurking in your refrigerator. Believe it or not, nearly every refrigerator in the world has traces of E.coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. These bacteria contribute to a staggering 50 million sicknesses each year, with 3,000 resulting in death. The meat and vegetable containers are the biggest culprits, as their contents usually contain live bacteria. So, be sure to handle your refrigerator’s contents with care, and regularly clean those often-overlooked areas.
Mattresses: Nightmares of Bacterial Infestation
Prepare for a nightmarish revelation with number 15. In just eight years, your mattress will double in weight due to the accumulation of dust mite poop and dust mites themselves. Besides this unsettling fact, mattresses also serve as breeding grounds for bacteria such as Staphylococcus, norovirus, and Campylobacter. These bacteria can lead to diarrhea, skin infections, and even death. So, it may be time to give your mattress a thorough cleaning.
Money: A Germ-Ridden Currency
Number 14 takes a closer look at the unsuspecting carrier of pathogens – money. Did you know that there are about 250,000 bacteria per square inch on any dollar bill in circulation? Considering how many people have touched each bill without it ever being cleaned, this staggering number starts to make sense. It’s also worth noting that money can carry the flu virus for up to 20 days after coming into contact with it. Perhaps it’s time to consider embracing the convenience of credit cards.
Grills: A Recipe for Infection
Number 13 brings us to the great outdoors, where we uncover the hidden dangers of your beloved grill. Yes, that grill you fire up for those summer barbecues is harboring a shocking amount of bacteria. Microbes from the food you place on the grill can be transferred to other foods, leading to potential infections. Surprisingly, in a survey, 90% of people claimed they clean their toilet seats every day, but only 35% said they cleaned their grills more than twice a year. So, don’t forget to give your grill some tender cleaning care.
Keyboards: The Secret Bacterial Party
Now, let’s delve into the world of technology with number 12. Did you know that there are a staggering 220 times more bacteria on your keyboard than on your toilet seat? Most people neglect to clean their keyboards, despite the fact that our hands come into contact with countless surfaces during the day, transferring those germs onto the keyboard. In fact, back in 2007, an elementary school experienced a widespread outbreak of sickness due to the bacteria-infested keyboards. So, it may be time to give your keyboard a well-deserved cleaning.
Cell Phones: A Mobile Microbial Haven
Prepare to be shocked by number 11, which exposes the filthy truth about your constant companion – your cell phone. With 12 times more bacteria than your toilet seat, cell phones are a haven for germs. In fact, a recent study discovered that 8 out of 10 cell phones have disease-carrying germs, with 17% even having traces of fecal matter. So, before you put your phone next to your ear, take a moment to consider the germ-filled reality you’re exposing yourself to.
Drapes: Concealed Germ Breeding Grounds
Number 10 shines a light on the hidden dangers lurking in your home decor. Just think about what brushes up against your drapes on a daily basis – dust mites, pet fur, mold, and more. These unsavory elements thrive on drapes, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. In particular, antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus can live on drapes and transfer into your system if you touch them. So, give your drapes a thorough cleaning and be wary of the germs that may be lurking.
Faucet Handles: A Dirty Twist
Prepare for a twist of irony with number 9. While you’re busy washing your hands, the very thing you touch to turn on the water is crawling with germs. There are 20 times more bacteria on faucet handles than on a toilet seat in your bathroom. In your kitchen, that number skyrockets to a staggering 40 times more bacteria. Considering we normally turn them on with our dirty hands, it’s no wonder they’re a hotbed for germs. So, make sure to regularly clean those faucet handles to keep the germs at bay.
Light Switches: A Dimly Lit Germ Zone
We shed light on a dark secret with number 8 – light switches. It’s said that there are 220 bacteria per square inch on these seemingly innocuous switches. Forget the comforter – light switches in hotel rooms are said to be one of the germiest spots in the room. So, next time you reach for that switch, consider giving it a quick wipe-down first.
Handbags: A Fashionable Germ Trap
Number 7 reveals an unexpected hazard lurking in the most fashionable accessory of all – handbags. A study showed that one out of every 5 handbags houses bacteria, making it a potential health risk. Leather bags are the worst offenders due to their spongy texture, which provides a perfect environment for bacteria to grow. Hand cream, often found in handbags, further adds to the bacterial party. So, next time you reach for your bag, remember the unseen dangers that may be lurking within.
Bathroom Floors: Ground Zero for Germs
Prepare to have your bathroom floor swept out from under you with number 6. The average restroom floor in your home contains a staggering 2 million bacteria per square inch. Surprisingly, the toilet seat only has 60 bacteria per square inch in comparison. Your bathroom floor can carry germs from bare feet, unclean shoes, and other objects. Now, imagine the germs that lurk in a public restroom floor. So, next time you step into the bathroom, tread carefully – the floor may be more treacherous than you think.
Remote Controls: A Touch of Germ Infestation
Number 5 exposes the dirty little secret hiding in plain sight – your remote control. It’s said that the remote control is the dirtiest object in entire houses. Touched daily and rarely cleaned, remote controls become a breeding ground for germs. In a recent study, over 55% of remotes tested positive for the rhinovirus, which can survive there for several days. So, the next time you settle in for a cozy TV session, be aware of the silent germ party happening right under your nose.
Office Desks: A Germ-Ridden Workstation
Number 4 brings us into the heart of productivity – the office desk. While some fortunate individuals have their desks cleaned daily by a professional service, many are left to fend for themselves. On average, your desk has a staggering 420 times more bacteria than your average toilet seat. Just think about all the surfaces your hands touch and how easily those germs find their way onto your desk. So, be sure to give your desk a thorough cleaning and remember the hidden microbes that may be lurking.
Pet Bowls: A Feast for Germs
Number 3 takes us to a familiar yet overlooked source of germs – your pet’s bowls. The rim of a pet bowl is home to about 2,000 bacteria per square inch. These bacteria, originating from your pet’s mouth, remain in the bowl even after they’re done eating. If left unwashed, the bowls become a teeming breeding ground for bacteria. So, next time you’re pouring Fido’s dinner, think about the germy reality that could find its way onto your own face.
Doorknobs: The Gateway to Germs
Prepare to grab the sanitizing wipes with number 2. It’s no secret that doorknobs are touched repeatedly by hands, which happen to be the dirtiest part of the body. In a study conducted in a workplace, viruses were intentionally placed on doorknobs, and it was discovered that 30 to 60 percent of the people inside the office picked up the virus thereafter. So next time you reach for that trusty doorknob, remember the invisible germs you may be inviting into your life.
Reusable Shopping Bags: The Silent Carriers
We’ve reached our number one spot, and it’s a rather unexpected contender. Nobody washes their reusable shopping bags, but after reading this, you may start. Traces of fecal matter transported from unwashed food in the bags can transfer to the next week’s groceries. This can lead to stomach flu and other illnesses. So, don’t forget to give those reusable bags the attention they deserve to keep your groceries and yourself safe.
There you have it – the top 30 things in your house that are dirtier than a toilet seat. We hope this eye-opening list has made you think twice about the cleanliness of your everyday spaces. Stay informed, stay clean, and we’ll see you in the next article.
