The Dirtiest Spot In Your House Isn't What You'd Expect
When it comes to germs in the home, the bathroom is the first room that comes to mind for most — after all, the bathroom is a magnet for moisture and mold. According to a 2011 study conducted by the public health and safety organization National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) International, 64 percent of toothbrush holders are loaded with mold and yeast. Eek! While the bathroom is definitely a hot spot for dirt and grime, the germs don't end there.
In the study, NSF International researchers tested 30 surfaces in 22 homes to measure the level of yeast, mold, salmonella, E.Coli, and staph germs on each surface. Surprisingly, the it wasn't the bathroom — not even the toilet seat — that snagged the top spot. In fact, the germiest place in the home may shock you. Read on to find out just how germ-ridden your home may be.
The grimeist place in the house is the kitchen
Brace yourselves, because this one's a doozy: According to microbiologist Charles Gerba, there's more fecal bacteria in your kitchen sink that there is in your toilet post-flush. "That's why your dog drinks out of the toilet. He's smarter than you think," Gerba (also known as "Dr. Germ") tells CNN. "Recent surveys of homes found more fecal bacteria on a cutting board in the average home than a toilet seat. It's actually safer to make your sandwich on a toilet seat than a cutting board." Here's a tip: Never put a wooden or plastic cutting board in the dishwasher. If you do, it may warp or crack, creating a breeding ground for harmful germs and bacteria (via Delish).
What's worse? Your cutting board isn't the only thing you should be worried about. "If you start to notice a mildew, musty smell every time you walk into your kitchen, it may be your kitchen sponge," Juliet Pocali, CEO of Bella Cleaning Inc. tells Care.com. To eliminate the issue, Pocali recommends running your sponge(s) through the dishwasher on a weekly basis. Other utterly disgusting items in the home include the shower curtain, dish towels, and your bathmat, among other things (via Reader's Digest).