IF you think your home is as clean and spotless as it can be, then you might want to think again.
There is a very surprising list of everyday things that are actually dirtier than your toilet seat.
And they will have you reaching for the sprays and wipes to get rid of all that bacteria.
Your toilet seat can have as many as 50 bacteria per square inch, according to experts.
But other items have even more – with some harbouring as many as 200,000 times more bacteria on them.
Markus Lindblad, an expert from Northerner, revealed the four things that can carry thousands of germs that people are unaware of.
And he also told homeowners exactly how often they should actually be cleaning them.
Here are the surprising places you’ll find more bacteria than you thought.
Kitchen sponge/cloth
The sponge or cloth you use in the kitchen is often used for cleaning surfaces with an anti-bacterial spray, so surely it can’t be full of bacteria?
Well, it turns out that not only is a kitchen cloth crawling with germs, but it is also the perfect place for bacteria to breed.
Markus says: “Whilst they might be designed for cleaning, kitchen sponges are actually one of the dirtiest items you’ll find in a kitchen.
“Due to being damp and in constant contact with food particles, the sponges are a prime breeding ground for bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella.
“Some past studies have suggested that your kitchen sponge could have 200,000 times more bacteria on it than a toilet seat!”
To help keep these clean, the expert suggests: “Avoid this dirty disaster by washing your sponges in hot water or replacing them more frequently.”
TV remotes
One smaller item that you might not think harbours a lot of germs is the TV remote.
But it is constantly being used by all members of the house, so it can easily pick up germs.
The experts explain: “A TV remote is a major germ magnet, which surprisingly hosts up to 15 times more bacteria than a toilet seat.
“Its constant handling by multiple, often unwashed, hands makes it a collection point for various germs.
“From coughs, sneezes, crumbs, and even pets.”
To help, Markus advises: “Next time you’re cleaning, disinfect the TV remote to help stop the spread of germs and reduce bacterial growth.”
Mobile Phones
Most of us have our phones with us at all times, and while some of us may believe this keeps them away from germs, the opposite is actually true.
Markus says: “Phones are taken everywhere, from bathrooms to bedrooms, from workplaces to gyms.
“And the need to constantly have your phone in your hand makes them a breeding ground for bacteria.
“Every time you’re using your phone, you’re transferring oil, sweat, food particles and bacteria from your hands.
“So it’s no surprise your phone could have ten times more bacteria on it than a toilet seat.”
He warns: “Don’t get complacent, give your phone a disinfectant wipe down at least once a week, especially on the screen.”
TEDDY TROUBLES
ANOTHER item that you might not realise harbourd hundreds of bacteria is your child's teddy bear.
They could even be twice as dirty as a toilet seat and 6.5 times dirtier than your bin.
Luckily, cleaning experts have shared their top tips on how parents can keep their child’s teddies clean and free of harmful bacteria.
Katy Roberts, washing machine expert at AO.com, revealed how to properly clean teddies to prevent germ spreading.
She explained: “If your furry companion is looking a bit worse for wear, there’s nothing finer for it than popping your teddy bear into your washing machine.
“To clean them properly, check your care label and if this has worn away over the years, then put on a gentle, cold wash with a mild detergent to be on the safe side.
“If your teddy has seen better days and is more on the delicate side, then use a soft cloth or sponge with shampoo and dab away at any dirty areas.
“Leave this to air dry naturally, and you can even give this a quick fluff with a soft brush for a magic touch to finish.”
The experts also revealed how often parents should be washing their kids’ teddies and blankets.
Katy explained: “As a rule of thumb, try to wash your teddy bear every month – particularly if they’re regularly handled.
“Your teddies and blankets can easily harbour dust mites and allergens so err on the side of caution and stick them in your washing machine when they’re dirty!”
Computer Keyboards
Whether it is at home or at work, your keyboard harbours germs.
The only thing that ever really touches your keyboard is your hands, so any germs your hands have picked up during the day are transferred onto the keys.
And if other people are also using it, then you could be picking up other people’s at the same time.
Markus explains: “Everyone’s guilty of eating their lunch at their desk; however, you might be put off once you find out how dirty your keyboard can be.
“Whether it’s lunch time crumbs, dust, or bacteria from hands, PC or laptop keyboards can have five times more germs than a toilet seat.
“This could be even worse for those who share computers!”
To help keep them as clean as possible, Markus says: “Personal laptops or computer keyboards should be wiped down at least once a month.
“However, shared computers should be wiped down once a person has used them to avoid any buildup of bacteria.”
