We’ve all read horror stories about disgusting things lurking in our closets, but did you know that your spice rack can make you sick? A recent study commissioned by the US Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection (FSIS) found that our spice jars can be a small haven for bugs and nasties, as well as one of the most germ-prone places in the home. Ba!
It is estimated that our homes are home to over 200,000 different species of bugs, bacteria, and molds that lurk unnoticed like tiny (and disgusting) illegal squatters. And while it’s tempting to assume that all those who don’t live in your spice shelf live in your closet, you’re wrong.
“Bacteria in our homes tend to hide where you least expect them,” confirms the doctor. Jonathan Cox, professor of microbiology at Aston University. Dr. Cox conducted a study of 2,000 single-family homes in 2021 and found that a large number of household items contain more bacteria and feces than toilet seats. The toilet seats turn out to be really quite clean.
“We think of bathrooms as messy spaces, so we clean them regularly,” he explains. “We will bleach the toilet, but we will bleach the sink much less often. And we’ve almost certainly never released things like doorknobs, TV remotes, or light switches.
The hottest places in the home are kitchen contact surfaces such as cutting boards, where bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter can spread through raw meat, unwashed vegetables and poultry. This can cause nasty indigestion and, in the worst case, food poisoning.
But less obvious are the areas you touch while cooking and never think about cleaning them, which explains why spice jars are featured in the FSIS study. This includes kitchen faucets, sinks, can openers, and pages from recipe books (or iPad screens).
And kettle handles – Cox’s research has shown they are prime habitats for Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium commonly found in the nose, armpits, groin, or subcutaneous folds that causes stomach discomfort.
Of course, not all germs will harm us. Cox likes to point out that our bacterial crackers usually want a peaceful life. Unless we have weakened immune systems or we have toddlers who put a lot of things into their mouths, germs prefer to keep a low profile.
“The most harmful bacteria that we regularly come into contact with are usually part of our normal flora and live inside our body,” he says.
Things only go wrong when they end up in the wrong place, or when we somehow get sick and they take over, causing an infection. “So if, for example, bacteria from our gut gets into our urinary tract or our eyes, it can cause a nasty infection like a urinary tract infection or conjunctivitis.”
If you decide to clean up afterwards, here are 10 unexpectedly messy places to deal with:
stairs and railings
“One of the surprising areas we found in our research was bacteria on stair railings and handrails, especially in homes with children,” says Cox. “They were inhabited by Staphylococcus aureus. This group of bacteria can cause stomach upset and skin infections, and also includes a strain called MRSA that can be resistant to antibiotics.
Salt and pepper shaker
Studies have shown that salt and pepper shakers can also be particularly susceptible to E. coli. But the dirtiest are reserved for restaurants — a 2018 study found they contained an average of 11,600 bacteria.
computers and mobile phones
A 2016 study found that the average computer or keyboard is 20,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat. A staph infection was also present here – the researchers called it “tummy QWERTY”. Microbes also love mobile phones, and a group of scientists even called them “dangerous microbial platforms.” While most germs are harmless, one villain is enough… especially since we tend to take our phones everywhere, including, let’s face it, to the bathroom.
coffee machine
You probably clean your coffee pot, but what about the part that holds water? A study by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) found that bacteria, yeast and mold can grow on coffee maker containers. In some, they even found coliform bacteria, a strain of bacteria that could point to Salmonella and E. coli.
shower head
Tell me, when was the last time you cleaned it properly? According to Cox, one of the worst microbes to grow in it is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. “It’s a real opportunistic pathogen, which means that under the right circumstances, it will infect us,” says Cox. May cause bacterial pneumonia if inhaled.
“If you have a weakened immune system, it can be very serious, so reducing the number of these bacteria in your home never hurts. After all, prevention is better than cure.”
hot baths
We lose nearly five billion skin cells a day, but how many of us think about it before getting into a hot bath? This means that we are also likely to inhale or ingest our partner’s skin and body sweat, a feast for bacteria, not to mention the 100mg or so of feces that normally reside between our buttocks.
cleaning sponges
Most of us know that kitchen sponges and rags are a haven for insects – one study found that more than 75 percent of them tested positive for salmonella, E. coli and feces. But we rarely think about the sponges we use to clean toilets and floors. And if you think you’re killing them by heating them up in the microwave, think again: A recent study found this technique to be ineffective, even killing some bacteria. grow bigger.
Pillow
Dust mites love a warm home and lots of food—dead skin cells—and while most people know their mattresses are a breeding ground for these microscopic critters, we don’t often think about our pillows. The Sleep Council estimates that up to a tenth of the weight of a pillow that is never washed is made up of mites and their excrement, as well as human skin and mold.
banks
Banks can be just as bad. These nasty substances are released into the air every time someone sits down, causing problems for people with asthma and allergies. The higher the pile, the more attractive it becomes for the little one – so it might be worth considering before investing in this trendy velvet sofa.
There is another drawback: they can be magnets for bacteria, and Dr. Cox found a large number of “fecal E. coli” – traces of feces – on upholstered furniture. “This can be exacerbated if pets like to climb over furniture. And, of course, they are quite difficult to disinfect.”
…and fingertips
Have you calculated enough? While not technically a household item, there is another germ magnet to add to your list: fingertips. While most of us – and I emphasize “most” – thoroughly wash our hands, Cox notes that we pay more attention to the palms, rather than the fingertips, which actually come into contact with the most bacteria – somewhere between 2 and 10 million. of them. thumb too. “When we test tampons, we always find that they are the dirtiest part of your hand.” Pass the soap…
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.