10 Everyday Items That Are Dirtier Than Your Toilet

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We all think the toilet is the dirtiest place in the house. It’s where some of the most unpleasant activities take place, after all. You clean it regularly, disinfect it, and it’s still the clear candidate for where the most germs are, right? If I told you there are many everyday objects lurking around your home that are dirtier than your toilet seat, would you believe me? I know, gross.

Because we touch certain items so often, we don’t often think of them as “germ hubs,” but that’s exactly why they’re so full of bacteria. Because they are not cleaned often and frequently handled, they harbour germs. Here are ten unexpected offenders that could make you rethink what you lather up next.

Kitchen Sponges

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What’s supposed to be cleaning your dishes may be the dirtiest thing in your house. Bacteria are notorious in kitchen sponges. It’s always wet, has leftover food particles, and more often than not, it is by the sink for days on end. If you’re using this thing regularly, try swapping it out, or do us all a favour and stick it in the microwave for a minute to kill off some of the germs.

Cutting Boards

After a rinse, you might think your cutting board is squeaky clean, but it rarely is. Not only do cutting boards trap bacteria in their grooves but raw meat, veggies or anything else you chop can carry even more bacteria. If you’re not scrubbing them down correctly (and that means more than just a rinse), you could be spreading germs onto your next meal.

Keyboards

Your keyboard is a germ magnet whether you’re working from home or just surfing the web. Those keys get crumbs, dust, whatever was on your hands on them. And most of us don’t think to clean our keyboards as often as we should. So, it’s time to take out a cloth and a cleaner and pay those keys some attention.

Reusable Shopping Bags

We’re trying to be more eco friendly, but reusable shopping bags can become a bacterial playground if you don’t wash them regularly. You fill them up with groceries, throw them in the car and use them over and over without even thinking about it. All those trips mean a lot of bacteria from raw food, dirt from all kinds of places, and I don’t even know what else. Throw those bags in the laundry every once in a while!

Car Steering Wheel

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Next time you get in your car, look closely at your steering wheel. It’s also one of the dirtiest things you touch every day. Don’t your hands get dirty when you drive? And don’t the steering wheel gather a lot of germs over time? It’s a bit more sanitary if you can get a quick wipe down with some disinfectant.

Pet Toys

We love our furry friends, but we don’t love their toys. Not so much. Drool, dirt from the floor, and whatever else they’ve been dragged through cover pet toys. Yet, they’re hardly ever cleaned. Giving your dog’s favorite ball a good rinse every now and then can help cut down on the number of germs in your home.

Money

While cash isn’t as common as it used to be, it’s still around, and it’s filthy. Consider who touches a single bill. It’s spread from person to person, from pockets to wallets, from random place to random place. Handling all that cash means money is covered in bacteria. If you are still using physical money, then be sure to wash your hands after!

Cell Phones

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You’re probably reading this on your phone right now, which is likely 10 times dirtier than your toilet seat, according to this University of Michigan study. How often do you think you clean your phone? We put our phones in the bathroom, we rest it on random surfaces, and we don’t clean it often. In other words, unless you’re regularly sanitizing your phone, it’s probably the dirtiest thing you have.

Remote Controls

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It’s that little TV remote you’re always misplacing? It’s swimming in germs. According to WebMD, remotes gather a ton of bacteria between snacks during Netflix binges and being passed around by multiple hands. Let’s face it, no one ever remembers to give the remote a good clean. The next time you’re looking for it between the couch cushions, maybe grab a disinfecting wipe, too.

Light Switches

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We turn on and off light switches every day without giving thought to the germs on our hands. While you don’t likely scrub your light switches with any regularity, they’re one of the most high touch surfaces in the house. After all, in rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom, it’s a good idea to give them a quick wipe every so often.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.