The Dirty Dozen: The Germiest Places We Know

We’ve learned over the years that the best defense against germs is through the simple task of washing your hands; yes it’s true that 80% of infections are spread through hand contact. In the November issue of “Health” magazine, I found an article about the “Germiest places in America.” Hey, what a great way to ruin everyone’s spring vacation! Let’s talk about all the cities we’re going to and their germ problems; whether it be from SARS, West Nile virus, Strep, contaminated beaches, fast-food health code violations or greatest air pollution. Sorry, I can’t do that because as it turns out the germiest places reside right in our own homes and within the many daily activities we do right here in our own community.

Health Magazine calls them the “Dirty Dozen” and here is what they have to say about the places that are the most “germ” saturated. Your kitchen sink. Yikes! The kitchen sink is dirtier than most bathrooms. In fact in a recent study out of the University of Arizona half of the top ten germiest spots in the home were in the kitchen. Avoid germs by cleaning your counter tops and sink with an antibacterial product after preparing foods. Sanitize sponges by running them through your dishwashers “drying cycle” that kills 99.9% of bacteria on sponges we use. Clean the sink twice a week with a solution of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach and one quart of water, scrub the basin and pour down the drain.

Airplane bathrooms. Actually most public bathrooms are higher in germs, but experts agree that those cramped and overused airplane bathrooms are the worst. To protect yourself, use the paper cover when available on the toilet seat, wash hands thoroughly (no matter how small the sink) and use your paper towel to flush toilet, close lid, turn off water and to open the door.

A load of wet laundry. This is a new one for me. “Clean Clothes” is an oxymoron. Any time your transfer underwear from the washer to the dryer; you’re going to get E. coli on your hands. Just one soiled garment can spread bacteria to the whole load and the machine. Solution; run your washer and dryer at 150 degrees and wash whites with bleach. Transfer wet clothes quickly so that germs don’t multiply, wash underwear separately and use the dryer for all garments for at least 45 minutes.

Public drinking fountains, particularly school fountains are very germy. Other school hot spots are cafeteria trays, sink handles, desk tops and computer keyboards. Protect yourself and your kids by sending your child to school with plenty of beverages, teach them to wash their hands properly and regularly. Wiping down community table/desk tops with an antibacterial wipe will reduce the spread of germs tremendously.

Shopping cart handles. Just think about putting your food in a place where someone else’s kid was just sitting, yuck. Try to use those antibacterial wipes (many stores are now providing them) and wipe down the handle. There are also cart covers and/or “grip-guards” available for you to own. Make sure to wash and disinfect if any raw meat juices have been released. ATMs, TV remote controls and telephones. All have the same kind of opportunities to carry germs because it’s not common to wipe these items down for fear of messing up the electronic mechanisms. Protect yourself by keeping antibacterial wipes to wipe down these items and/or use an alcohol based hand-sanitizer immediately after punching in your ATM number and/or any other public button-pushing item.

Your handbag. What? Another surprise to me! Just think of all the places you set your handbag throughout your days. Table tops, inside shopping carts, on floors, on desks and how often do you sanitize the bottom of them. Reduce the risk by never putting your bag on the floor, always hang the bag whenever you can and keep your bag off the kitchen counter. Wipe down your bag every few days with a mild soap or disinfectant.

Your bathtub is also a fairly moist environment where germs like to grow. Therefore, your tub can and is a germ haven. Once a week, apply a disinfecting cleaner to the tub, you need to actually scrub the tub/tile and then wash the germs down the drain. It’s also important to wipe down the tub after the cleaning, because leaving the tub wet gives the germs a greater opportunity to survive.

The last two of “Dirty Dozen” are playgrounds (yes, those germ filled kids) and mats and machines at health clubs. Remember to wipe down, cover-up or bring your own mat and then wash up after playing or exercising in a public

 

Deborah Holmes

March 11, 2008