Bacteria and viruses are all around us. They’re the causes of Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) such as colds, sinusitis, and sore throats. Where do these bacteria linger? The answer may surprise you, as these items are your “precious.”
Mobile Phones
Many studies have proved that your mobile phone is a nasty thing. It goes out of your home and travels with you everywhere you go, soaking up a host of bacteria including Pseudomonas, staph, and salmonella. These bacteria may cause eye and skin infections. Salmonella, of course, is the culprit of most food poisoning. Since most electronic devices have plenty of creases, they become the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
When you have toddlers, make sure that your mobile gadgets are out of reach. To protect yourself, it’s crucial to be conscious of where you put your phones and to remind yourself to clean it regularly.
Toothbrushes
Yes, it’s ironic that the thing you use to clean your mouth is also a thing that holds the most bacteria. Even if your toothbrush never leaves your home, it goes into one of the most bacteria-laden parts of your body on a regular basis. Aside from the bacteria, it picks up from your mouth, it is also damp, which makes it the ultimate chill-out spot for bacteria.
Remote Controls
According to Dr. Charles Gerba from the University of Arizona, the remote control in a hotel room is dirtier than the toilet and even hotel bedspreads. It contains traces of semen, urine, and even feces.
Computer Keyboard
If your work involves using the computer for long periods of time, then your fingers have a very close relationship with your keyboard. This relationship, unfortunately, means that you are exposed to a host of bacteria and viruses.
In a 2008 study conducted by a U.K. consumer organization, the researchers found that the keyboard is considered to be up to “five times dirtier than the average toilet seat.”
As you read this article on your computer, you probably just gave the keyboard a look of disgust. We all have ourselves to blame though. The bacteria are brought about by our own habits: eating in front of our desks and not washing hands after using the restroom. Plus, our fingers also naturally produce skin oils, which can cause further germ festering.
Dish Towel
This last one can easily go unnoticed compared to other things in the kitchen, such as the chopping board or the sink. However, the dishtowel may be the nastiest item lurking in your kitchen. According to a food preparation study, “Towels were determined to be the most contaminated of all the contact surfaces tested.” This happens mainly because of poor food handling practices, which cause the bacteria on the towels to grow very fast overnight.
Just like in love, you don’t get rid of someone just because they hurt you. We can’t live without these items, so the only thing to do is to pay a little bit more attention to how we use them.
