The 8 household items harbouring germs that could kill you – or give you bloody diarrhoea, warts and boils
WE all know that maintaining good hygiene is important to stop us from picking up bugs and getting ill.
But even if you are the biggest fan of hand sanitiser or you’re regularly seen parading a bottle of surface spray and a cloth, you might be missing a trick when it comes to keeping clean.
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There are actually several items in your house - perhaps even in your vicinity right now - that could be harbouring a serious number of germs.
And these tiny pathogens can cause everything from boils to bloody diarrhoea. In very rare cases, they can even be fatal.
Dr Martin Thornton, chief medical officer at Bluecrest, tells Sun Health: “Many of the items below probably seem harmless but they can become breeding grounds for bacteria and mould.
“Over time, this can have a bigger impact on your long-term health than you might realise.”
Are you the victim of any of these germ-ridden household items? We reveal eight of the worst offenders…
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WHEN did you last replace the soggy sponge that lingers by your kitchen sink?
If it wasn’t in the last week, you might want to buy a new one ASAP because they hold onto moisture and quickly breed bacteria.
Research published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology found that a cubic centimetre of a kitchen sponge - about the size of a pea - can contain millions of bacteria, making it one of the dirtiest items in a typical household.
This includes E. coli, salmonella and staphylococcus, according to a study by Justus–Liebig–University Giessen.
Most strains are harmless, but some can lead to problems like stomach cramps, skin infections, boils, and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Also watch out for faecal matter. The National Sanitation Foundation found more than 75 per cent of dish sponges and rags had faecal matter, compared to nine per cent of bathroom taps.
Instead of classic sponges, Siobhán Carroll, a naturopath and herbalist for A.Vogel, suggests silicone scrubbers that dry quickly and don’t allow bacteria to live on them.
“Or use more old-school dishcloths,” she adds.
“These are great because you can get natural materials such as cotton.
“Simply pop them in the washing machine at the end of the day and take a new one out the next morning.
“With about seven or eight cloths, you can easily interchange them throughout the week this way!”
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IF you use your water bottle every day, it should really be washed every day, Dr Thornton says.
“Drinking bottles can harbour bacteria like E. coli and staphylococcus, which could potentially lead to recurring tummy bugs or low-level infections,” he adds.
“While one-off exposures aren’t likely to impact you long-term, repeated infections could put pressure on your immune system and make you more likely to pick up illnesses.
“This is particularly true if you’re already managing an existing or underlying health condition.”
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OUR phones are pretty much an extension of our hands these days.
But that means they are collecting germs non-stop throughout the day.
“Although it’s not something to panic about, be aware that the germs that build up on phones can potentially make us ill,” says Siobhán.
“Mobile phones pick up bacteria, viruses and even fungal spores as they travel everywhere with us, from worktops to handbags, trains to toilets.
“When you then hold your phone to your face, or tap away and eat a snack without washing your hands, you're giving those germs a free ride into your body.”
Our immune systems usually do a great job of keeping us protected.
But Siobhán says there are times, like when you're run-down, stressed or not eating well, that those microbes can take hold.
SALMONELLA
Salmonella can cause stomach cramps, diarrhoea and a fever, which can last up to a week.
In rare cases, it can infect the urine, blood, bones, joints and nervous system, and can result in reactive arthritis known as Reiter's syndrome.
It is not usually fatal. The UK recorded 57 deaths due to the infection in 2017 and 2018, according to data compiled by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
In 2019, there were 8,398 cases, down from 8,838 the year before.
E. COLI
E. coli are a diverse group of bacteria that are normally harmless and live in the intestines of humans and animals.
However, some strains produce toxins such as STEC that can make people very ill, including stomach cramps and fever and about 50 per cent of cases having bloody diarrhoea.
Some patients, mainly children, may develop hemolytic uraemic syndrome, which is a serious life-threatening condition resulting in kidney failure.
One person died and hundreds fell ill in an outbreak in England linked to contaminated lettuce last year.
STAPHYLOCOCCUS
Staphylococcus causes staph infections, which most often affect the skin.
They can cause painful red lumps, boils and abscesses, as well as hot, swollen skin, sores, crusts and blisters, and red eyes or eyelids.
Staph bacteria can also cause more serious infections, like blood poisoning and toxic shock syndrome.
From 2022 to 2023, there were 13,125 confirmed cases of bacteraemia caused by methicillin-sensitive staphylococcus aureus reported in England, and 2,837 deaths.
A study by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found that 16 per cent of mobile phones were contaminated with E. coli, indicating faecal contamination from poor hand hygiene.
The University of Arizona even discovered that phones carry 10 times more bacteria than a toilet seat, including norovirus and gonorrhoea.
“If your phone is harbouring staphylococcus, E.coli or any other bacteria and you touch your mouth, eyes or nose, there's a chance you could end up with an upset stomach, skin infection or a bout of sniffles if your immune system is not up to the job of clearing the pathogen before symptoms arise,” Siobhán says.
Remember: wash hands regularly, avoid using your phone while eating, and give your device a gentle clean every now and then.
“And yes, let’s all agree to stop bringing it into the loo,” adds Siobhán.
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IT’S likely that you haven’t given your shower loofah a second thought, until now.
“Loofahs are full of crevices that could be home to bacteria or mould,” Dr Thorton says.
“When these are used on broken skin, you could be setting yourself up for chronic skin conditions or recurrent skin infections.”
This could be thanks to E. coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylococcus or streptococcus bacteria, according to Cleveland Clinic - but loofahs can also carry fungal organisms.
While health problems from your loofah might be rare, introducing these things to the bloodstream through tiny cuts could lead to serious infections in more vulnerable people, Dr Thornton warns.
That’s why it’s vital to change your shower puff every three to four weeks.
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YOU might overlook your keyboard when doing the weekly clean, but Siobhán says that they are hotspots for harbouring crumbs, dust and bacteria accumulated from our fingertips.
“Bacteria like E. coli and viruses such as norovirus can survive on hard surfaces like keyboards for hours, sometimes even days,” she warns.
“The risk of getting sick from your keyboard is relatively low if your overall health and immunity are in good shape.
“The bigger issue comes when people touch their face or eat at their desk without washing their hands as that’s when the transfer can really happen.”
You could contribute to skin irritation or even respiratory problems, particularly for people with asthma or eczema
Dr Martin Thornton
Research by the University of Arizona found that the average desktop computer carries 400 times more germs than a toilet seat.
And according to a study by Chicago’s Northwestern Memorial Hospital, some of these can survive for up to 24 hours on a keyboard.
Rather than stress about germs, give your keyboard a wipe with a disinfectant specifically made for electronics.
You may also want to consider silicone keyboard covers that are easier to clean.
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ALTHOUGH good for the environment, reusable shopping bags could harm our health as they rarely, if ever, get washed.
“Frozen or chilled food can leave your bags moist, often with little bits of food that can go mouldy,” says Siobhán.
“Even when you shake the bits of food out of the bag, invisible bacteria and mould particles can remain.”
In 2017, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) warned that ‘bags for life’ can spread deadly food poisoning bacteria if they are used to carry raw meat and fish.
And there was evidence to suggest that bugs like listeria, campylobacter and salmonella - which can cause stomach bugs - could survive on the bags, regardless of the material, for up to 21 days.
Thankfully, giving reusable bags a deep clean every now and then should be enough to get rid of germs, Siobhán says.
“If you are someone with a really compromised immune system then biodegradable single-use bags could be helpful,” she adds.
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WE cuddle them, kiss them and often let them into our beds.
But have you ever considered the unseen germs that pets can bring into your home?
“Pets’ fur, collars and toys can carry bacteria, transferring it to various surfaces in your home,” says Siobhán.
“Unlike our own bedding, pet beds also aren't washed or changed nearly as often and can harbour lots of germs.”
Research by Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences found household pets can spread norovirus, rabies, pasteurella, salmonella, brucella, yersinia enterocolitica, campylobacter, capnocytophaga, bordetella bronchiseptica, coxiella burnetii, leptospira, staphylococcus intermedius, and MRSA - a major cause of fatal infection in humans.
These can cause everything from coughs, headaches and vomiting, to internal bleeding, back pain and even endocarditis - a rare and potentially fatal infection of the inner lining of the heart.
WHEN thinking about what room in your house is dirtiest, your mind probably goes to the bathroom.
It's where we go to the loo and wash off the day's dirt, after all.
But according to experts, the grimiest spot in your home is actually your kitchen.
They say the space where you prepare your food is riddled with germ-laden items - all of which are grubbier than a toilet seat.
The National Sanitation Foundation, a global public health and safety organisation, tested 30 surfaces in 22 homes to measure levels of yeast, salmonella, mould, E.coli, and staph germs.
Toilet seats didn't even rank in the top 10 grimiest household articles.
Instead, it was kitchen items that featured most heavily in the list, and ranked the highest too.
This included: dish sponges and dish cloths, kitchen sinks, toothbrush holders, pet bowls, coffee makers, bathroom faucet handles, pet toys, kitchen counters, stove knobs and cutting boards.
Pets can also carry pollen and dust, potentially triggering hay fever symptoms.
It’s not all doom and gloom though. Research in the British Medical Journal Evidence-Based Medicine suggests that early exposure to pet microbes may lower the risk of developing asthma and allergies in children.
“This highlights the potential positive impact pets, and their germs, can have on the immune system,” adds Siobhán.
To stay on top of pet-related hygiene, aim to wash your pet’s bed regularly and brush your dog’s hair once to three times per week to reduce shedding and minimise germ transfer.
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DAMP towels and even bath mats can develop a build up of mould and bacteria over time.
“This could contribute to skin irritation or even respiratory problems, particularly for people with asthma or eczema,” says Dr Thornton.
“Repeated exposure to mould spores, for example, could exacerbate chronic respiratory issues in sensitive individuals.”
Research by De Montfort University found Covid could survive on cotton for up to 24 hours, and a separate study by Leiden University showed that human papillomaviruses (HPV), which can cause warts, can be spread through contact with towels shared with other people.
The odd missed towel wash is unlikely to cause you harm, but Dr Thornton recommends washing your towels after every few uses.
Hand towels especially should also be washed regularly.
“If you’re being vigilant with hand washing and then drying your hands with a towel that has been left unwashed for too long, you’re just transferring more germs back onto your clean hands,” says Siobhán.
“Wash towels and bath mats regularly at high temperatures, and ensure they are thoroughly dried after each use.
“Quick-drying, antimicrobial towels or bamboo mats are a good option as they naturally resist bacterial growth.”
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