Things That Can Make Your Toilet Seem Clean Enough to Eat From

If asked to identify one thing at home that is absolutely filthy and is a breeding ground for bacteria, you may likely say the toilet. We spend much time disinfecting and sanitizing the toilet to ensure that they are clean. Well it may surprise you to know that there are other areas and things in the home that are much dirtier. When it comes to germs, there are many more lurking on common household items. Learning of these five items may make your toilet seem clean enough to eat from.\r \r 1. Computer Keyboards\r \r When last did you sanitize your keyboard? People use their computer keyboards often. They are an essential tool for millions of jobs. Keyboards harbor disgusting, dangerous bacteria and germs. Studies have shown that every square inch of a keyboard is the home of over 3000 organisms. This definitely surpasses what is found on the toilet seat. In homes where computers are shared among several persons just imagine the number of bacteria on there, some of which can lead to serious illnesses.\r \r 2. Kitchen Chopping Boards\r \r The kitchen chopping board contains many bacteria from raw meat for instance. Given that the kitchen is often quite warm and the chopping board is left out for some time, an ideal opportunity for rapid bacterial growth is created. The FDA found that chopping boards have more bacteria which can cause food-borne illnesses such as salmonella and campylobacter than toilet seats. Some of the bacteria fester in the knife grooves in the board from the cutting of meat. Washing the chopping board does not kill all the germs particularly those in the grooves.\r \r 3. Toothbrushes\r \r Yes, it may be surprising that the toothbrush which we used in our mouth several times a day makes this list. The toothbrushes kept in the washroom often within four feet from the toilet. According to a professor at the University of Arizona, when the toilet is flushed, particles travel up to six feet in the air and land on toothbrushes. While toilets are frequently disinfected, how often do we disinfect our toothbrushes? Toothbrushes contain about ten million germs which can cause gum diseases and cavities for instance. The bacteria grows there, making it dirtier than the toilet.\r \r 4. Mattresses\r \r Mattress owners usually keep them for several years before they are discarded. Studies show that old mattresses weigh much more than when they were brand new. What accounts for this difference in weight? It has been found that this is due to dust mites, dead skin, bacteria and germs that build up in the mattress over time. Just imagine what happens when many people share a bed. These bacteria and flakes of skin cause many diseases and skin conditions. Some of these diseases are more widespread than those obtained from a toilet seat.\r \r 5. Kitchen Sponges and Dishcloths\r \r Kitchen sponges and dish cloths can be quite disgusting. These items are the germiest in the kitchen. They can contain up to ten million individual bacteria per square inch. Let’s put this into perspective. Kitchen sponges can be over 200,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat. Research reveals that kitchen sponges contain pathogenic bacteria that can cause diseases such as E. coli and salmonella. When the sponges are used to remove food particles from dishes, the bacteria remains in the sponge and grows. The bacteria can spread to our dishes.