Results: 6 Surprisingly Germy Places

Toothbrush holder---The best ways to avoid germs on your toothbrush and toothbrush holder are to keep them far away from the toilet, clean the holder weekly (in the dishwasher, if it's dishwasher safe), and replace your toothbrush every three to four months. Which of these recommendations had you heard before?

Handbags and Backpacks---The average handbag and backpack are three times dirtier than an office toilet seat and 1 in 5 handbag/backpack handles contain enough germs to pose a significant risk of cross-contamination from the handle to your hand. It's because we touch them all the time and put them on the floor. To avoid a majority of the germs, don't put the bag on the floor. Nonleather bags can be wiped down with an antibacterial wipe. Leather bags should be wiped with a soft cloth and warm soapy water. Which of these tips were you aware of?

Car: Ride shares, rentals, and taxis---If you rely on this method of transportation to get around, chances are you're probably sharing those rides with microscopic critters, with seat belts and window buttons being where most germs are found. In your own car, the dashboard is a big germ repository because it doesn't get enough direct airflow from vents to help disperse bacteria. Sanitize your hands after riding in a pubic car and avoid eating in vehicles, whether they are private or public. Eating can pass on germs from surfaces to our mouths. In your own car, wipe down your dashboard periodically. Which of the following would you have thought to do?

Gas pump handle---While you're filling up your car with gas, you're also filling up your hands with germs from the gas pump handle. Tests showed that 71 percent of gas pump handles were highly contaminated with potentially illness-causing bacteria. Escalator rails and ATM buttons also triggered high counts. The recommended tip for pumping gas is to "keep disposable vinyl gloves in your car and use them for pumping gas. It may look silly, but wearing them can cut your risk of colds and flu." Other than that, use a hand sanitizer or antibacterial wipe to clean your hands after pumping gas. Which of these things do you do?

Your office desk---"Nobody seems to clean a desktop 'til they start sticking to it. Same thing with the office phone." Considering that a typical office worker comes in contact with 10 million germs each day, just one person carrying a virus can infect up to 50 percent of all employees and equipment in their vicinity in just four hours. To help combat this, use an antibacterial wipe on your office equipment daily, and regularly wash or sanitize your hands throughout the day. Do either of these tips sound like they'd be something you could do (or already do)?

Gym equipment---FitRated, a company that reviews gym equipment, found that free weights have 362 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. Treadmills and exercise bikes were a little better, but not by much. To protect yourself and others, always clean the equipment before and after you use it, and place a towel over any surfaces you plan to sit on. Don't forget to wash the towel afterward. Which of these sound like good tips for using gym equipment?