Petrol pump bowsers

Petrol pump bowsers
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Unless you don’t have a car, you probably touch this ultra-germy item on a weekly basis at least. A University of Arizona study sampled gas pumps and found that a whopping 71 per cent of them contained some type of bacterial contaminant.

Clean it: If you don’t want to wipe down the pump before you use it, definitely keep hand sanitiser in your car so that you can bust any germs you may have picked up while filling up. Or consider wearing gloves to shield yourself from the germs.

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Lift buttons

Lift buttons
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While you’re getting a ride to your desired floor, germs might be hitching a ride on your hands. A University of Toronto study found that buttons in lift in public spaces like office buildings and hospitals could be harbouring more germs than toilet seats.

Clean it: Maybe you don’t want to stand around your office building and wipe down the lift buttons, and that’s fair. But you’ll probably want to wash, or at least sanitise, your hands once you’ve reached your floor.

 

Fridge drawers

Fridge drawers
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A study from public health and safety organization NSF International found that refrigerator vegetable and meat compartments were the top two spots in the kitchen with the most disease-causing microorganisms. It makes sense—any unwrapped veggies or escaped meat juices could leave behind dangerous germs.

Clean it: Empty your fridge drawers, then pull them out of your fridge. Give them a good scrub with warm, soapy water before returning them (and your food) to their slots.

Toothbrush holders

Toothbrush holders
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Hopefully, you’re replacing your toothbrush every three to four months, but when was the last time you cleaned out its holder? Fair warning: It’s probably filled with toothpaste gunk that dripped down after you brushed. An NSF International investigation found that toothbrush holders were the dirtiest item in the bathroom. About 27 per cent of toothbrush holders showed signs of coliform, compared to 5 per cent of toilet seats.

Clean it: Rinse an empty toothbrush holder in hot water, then scrub with a soapy, small-bristled brush. Rinse well and let it dry before putting your toothbrushes back.

Coffee machine reservoir

Coffee machine reservoir
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You probably clean the coffee pot, but you’ll want to give the whole machine a deep clean every once in a while— NSF International data show that coffee reservoirs where you pour water are even dirtier than toilet seats and toilet handles.

Clean it: Leaving the reservoir open when you’re done making coffee will help clear out the moisture germs love. Every now and then, clean the reservoir by filling it with equal parts water and vinegar. Turn on the machine so the vinegar cleans the carafe, plus eliminates mineral build-up in the machine’s pipes. Once the pot is done, “brew” a pot of plain water to eliminate any traces of vinegar.

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Source: RD.com

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