You might scrub your bathroom from top to bottom, thinking about the number of germs on your toilet seat, but one place in your house has 4000 times MORE bacteria than your toilet. So what are the most germ-ridden parts of your house, and how do we keep them clean?
Make-Up
If cosmetics in your makeup bag are past their use-by date, they probably carry bacteria.
The London Metropolitan University found old foundation, lip glosses and lipsticks can contain bacteria that cause septicaemia, gastroenteritis, wound infections and urinary and respiratory tract infections.
The fix: Throw away makeup when it expires, and wash makeup brushes every week.
Carpet
Dust mites often call carpet home and they produce droppings that aggravate eczema and asthma. Mould, pet dander, skin cells and dirt from shoes ramp up the bacteria factor. US researchers found carpets contain around 200,000 bacteria every square inch. In contrast, a toilet seat has around 49 bacteria per square inch.
The fix: Vacuum carpets regularly and give them a professional deep clean at least once a year.
Mobile phone
UK research found one in six mobile phones is contaminated with fecal matter – due to people not washing hands with soap after using the toilet. Around 16 per cent of phones also contain E. coli that can lead to serious stomach upsets and food poisoning.
The fix: Give mobile phones a wipe at the end of each day with a microfiber cloth or disinfectant wipe.
Bed
Bacteria and fungi don’t make ideal companions but many of us share our beds with dust mites and their droppings. Your pillow can also collect fungi and your mattress is probably home to liters of your sweat.
The fix: Wash bedding in hot water once a week, and vacuum your mattress and pillow once a week, too.
