When you think of the dirtiest place in your home, the toilet seat naturally springs to mind. So recent research has found roughly 50 bacteria per square inch on your toilet. Keeping this metric in mind, you’re going to be surprised at how much worse other things are when comparing the bacteria found on toilet seats.
Prepare to be grossed out.
15 places and objects with more bacteria found on toilet seats
1. YOUR PHONE
We hope this doesn’t come as a surprise to you. After all, your handphone is the most common item people use throughout the day.
There are 10 times more bacteria on your smartphone than the bacteria found on toilet seats!
Turn off your phone, take it out from its cover and wipe the entire device clean with a damp cloth and some disinfectant.
Try to make this a regular habit because your phone will quickly become dirty again!
2. INSIDE YOUR FRIDGE
The fridge drawers that hold meat and veggies are found to contain the most disease-causing bacteria!
Pull out these drawers and wipe them down with a solution of lemon, vinegar and water.
3. TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER
You wouldn’t think there would be a place with more bacteria found on toilet seats in the bathroom.
But the toothbrush holder can gather residual water where bacteria can fester. Make sure to clean that out once a week with soap and hot water!
4. OVEN CONTROLS AND STOVE HOBS
Chefs at home are constantly fiddling with these controls.
But we often forget to clean these knobs while cleaning the kitchen. Make sure to include the controls to the oven and stove since bacteria hides really well in this area!
5. WORK DESK
Your work desk can be up to 400 times dirtier than the number of bacteria found on toilet seats.
Keep your workspace clean by moving everything off the desk and wiping it down once a week.
Clean health leads to clearer minds and better work productivity!
6. THE CARPET
The carpet is found to be 4000 times dirtier than the bacteria found on toilet seats. That’s 200,000 bacteria per square inch!
All the crumbs and dead skin are great food for bacteria to nibble on.
Which is even more reason to hoover frequently, as well as deep clean the carpet twice a year.
And don’t forget to wash your feet often!
7. YOUR LAPTOP
Specifically, your keyboard is 200 times dirtier than the toilet seat!
The more productive you are, the more dirt gathers there. Particularly because a lot of us work through our lunch, typing in between bites.
Hair, crumbs and all sorts fall in between the gaps.
Use a cloth to wipe down the keyboard (unplug it from the desktop if it’s separate).
You can also buy a can of compressed air to blow out the bits from between the keys.
8. KITCHEN SPONGE
The sponge does more than soak up water and sponge.
It absorbs all the dirt and grime from our dishware and cutlery.
That’s why there are 10 million bacteria per square inch of the tiny square.
That’s 20,000 times dirtier when compared with the bacteria found on toilet seats!
And all the more reason to change sponges once a week!
9. KITCHEN SINK
1⃣ The Sponge Life Hack
Believe it or not, the humble sponge is the docking station for all those sneaky germs. It’s like a tiny hospitality hub where bacteria make themselves at home.
To keep it in check, grab your trusty disinfectant or whip up a quick mix of vinegar and lemon juice—just a splash will do. Wipe it out once a week and give your sink a shiny, clean splash.
2⃣ Keep Your Kitchen Sink Germ‑Free
Your kitchen sink is the next hotspot for bacteria after the sponge. A quick weekly wipe with the same vinegar‑lemon concoction is all you need to keep it sparkling.
- Step 1: Mix 1 cup vinegar with 1 cup lemon juice.
- Step 2: Spray or dab on the sink.
- Step 3: Scrub gently, rinse, and voila—germs don’t stand a chance!
3⃣ Washing Machine Woes
Did you know that over 100 million E. coli bacteria might sneak aboard your next load? That’s a lot of tiny troublemakers!
Don’t worry; you can keep your laundry clean as a whistle. First, run an empty cycle with two cups of bleach in the detergent drawer. That’s your “anti‑diarrhea” strategy for 2025.
- Step 1: Stop the machine and load it empty.
- Step 2: Pour 2 cups of bleach in the detergent compartment.
- Step 3: Start the machine, let it spin, and wash away the germs.
4⃣ Remote Control Refresh
Our remotes are like personal assistants—they answer every command, but they rarely get the clean-up love they deserve. After binge‑watching Netflix, give it a quick disinfected wipe.
- Step 1: Grab a damp cloth and a disinfectant spray.
- Step 2: Gently wipe every button, surface, and edge.
- Step 3: Let it dry, and your remote will be guest‑ready for future show marathons.
5⃣ Chopping Board Checklist
When it comes to cutting boards, there’s no room for the “dirty trickster” crew. Scrub them after every use with warm soapy water—and maybe a pinch of baking soda if you’re feeling extra fancy.
- Step 1: Rinse the board, spot any debris.
- Step 2: Sprinkle baking soda, scrub with a brush.
- Step 3: Rinse, dry, and store—clearly, it’s ready for the next culinary adventure.
Keep these simple tricks in your daily routine, and you’ll stay ahead of the germ game while keeping your home sparkling. Happy cleaning!
Considering all the raw material that passes here, it’s no surprise it’s 200 times dirtier than the toilet seat!
Make sure you give it a good scrub and if there are crevices, soak the board in hot water and soap for a while to get all the bits out of there.
13 DISHCLOTHS
Similar to sponges, dishcloths can hold a lot of bacteria. Especially since we use them to wipe down surfaces and are often left damp overnight.
This explains why they’re 20,000 times dirtier than the bacteria found on toilet seats!
Once a week, throw used dishcloths in the washing machine.
14. HANDBAGS
What Your Handbag is Really Hiding
Turns out your favorite tote might be a mini-viral laboratory—according to a study by British researchers, a handbag could carry up to thrice as many germs as a toilet seat. Even crazier, some bags are up to ten times dirtier!
Why the Baggage Bugfest?
- Vanity Vibes: Lip gloss, moisturisers, and other beauty staples are major contributors.
- Messy Interiors: We shove everything into our bags and forget to wipe them down.
- Floor‑Fear: Keeping your bag off the floor saves it from extra grime.
Cleaning Quick‑Fix
Want to clean without turning your bag into a science experiment?
- Flip the bag inside‑out. Think of it as giving it a fresh perspective.
- Use a soft sponge with a gentle fabric cleaner. No harsh chemicals—just a light touch.
Pet Bowls Got Bacteria, Too
Don’t let your pet feast on a jungle of germs! After your furry friends finish their kibble, wash their bowls. If you skip it, they’re eating from a surface that’s 100 times dirtier than a toilet seat—and that’s a big no‑no.
And there you have it—your handbag and your pet’s bowl both deserve a good scrub. Treat them right, and you’ll keep both of them happy, healthy, and germ‑free.
