You think the toilet is the dirtiest place in the house, but in fact, many tools you use every day have many times more bacteria on their surfaces.

Toothbrush

According to a study at the University of Manchester, UK, the average toothbrush contains about 10 million bacteria, including staphylococcus and E. coli.

The bathroom environment is humid and not well-ventilated, so bacteria can easily grow. Don't be surprised when the number of bacteria on the toothbrush is even higher than on the toilet, even up to tens of millions. You should replace your toothbrush every 6-8 weeks.

If you notice that the base of your toothbrush has changed color, has black or yellow plaque, it means that there is too much dirt accumulated and you should throw it away immediately.

Shower Head

The showerhead is home to the bacteria Malassezia stricta, which causes scalp infections, as well as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can lead to ear infections. In fact, a type of bacteria found in bathroom showerheads that causes pneumonia when inhaled is Legionella. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in 10 people who get this disease die.

The shower drain in the bathroom has a lot of hidden bacteria, and dirt is easy to accumulate. An unclean showerhead contains more bacteria than toilet water, and it can even penetrate the skin and hair of the body, becoming a medium for transmitting bacteria. Therefore, cleaning the showerhead is very necessary.

Refrigerator door handle

According to reports, the refrigerator contains 11.4 million bacteria per square centimeter, dirtier than a toilet. The main pathogenic bacteria include Salmonella, Listeria, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus.

Every day you open and close the refrigerator many times. According to research, there is a large amount of dangerous bacteria such as E. coli, Pseudomonas hiding on the refrigerator door handle. Therefore, the refrigerator door handle needs to be cleaned regularly to prevent the growth of bacteria.

Washing machine

The washing machine has a humid environment, where bacteria are very easy to grow, especially if you choose the normal washing mode instead of hot water.

Research by Dr. Ricarda M. Schmithausen, University of Bonn, Germany, shows that many bacteria survive the washing process. Bacteria grow in rubber gaskets and then spread through the washing and rinsing cycle. Germs such as E. coli, salmonella and klebsiella oxytoca can cause pneumonia, skin infections, intestinal cramps, vomiting and diarrhea, especially in people with weak immune systems, vulnerable

Therefore, it is advisable to clean the washing machine regularly, leave the device in a well-ventilated, bright place to help reduce bacterial attacks.

Cutting board

The total number of bacteria on the surface of a wooden cutting board used in two months is 12 times higher than that of a toilet. Research shows that cutting boards have many bacteria such as salmonella, E. coli, and aflatoxin.

Use different cutting boards for raw and cooked foods, and wash them with dishwashing liquid after use. You can also disinfect them regularly with 75% alcohol or 200 ppm bleach.

Household cleaning cloths

The bacteria content on cloths is as high as 875 million per cm2. Studies show that nearly 90% of towels are contaminated with Coliform bacteria. This type of bacteria is found in both the digestive system or feces of animals and humans. It is worth noting that up to 14% of towels contain E. coli bacteria, which is the culprit causing dangerous digestive diseases such as diarrhea, dehydration leading to kidney failure and possibly death.

Therefore, it is necessary to soak socks in bleach, boiling water or dry them in the sun regularly. This will prevent bacteria from surviving. If you see moldy or yellowed towels, it is best to throw them away and replace them with new towels.

Light switches

Although this is a place that is difficult for anyone to think of as a place where many bacteria reside, in fact, this device carries a lot of bacteria and is not really clean. Every time the light switch comes into contact with a finger, it adds 217 bacteria per square inch and gradually accumulates. In particular, the light switches in public restrooms contain even more germs and bacteria. Be sure to clean them every day. Before and after turning on the switch, you should clean your hands.