Your toilet seat may seem like one of the dirtiest places in your home, but you’d be surprised to learn that many everyday objects carry far more bacteria—sometimes hundreds of times more. Because we don’t clean these items as often as we should, they accumulate germs, dirt, and even harmful bacteria that can make you sick.
Here are 10 everyday items that are actually dirtier than your toilet seat—and how to clean them properly.
1. Your Phone
Your phone goes everywhere with you—your hands, pockets, countertops, car, and even the bathroom. Studies have found that the average smartphone carries 10 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. Since we rarely clean our phones, they accumulate oil, dirt, and germs, which are then transferred to our hands and face.
How to clean it:
Use a microfiber cloth and a mix of water and isopropyl alcohol (50/50) to wipe down your phone daily. Avoid using harsh chemicals, which can damage the screen coating.
2. Kitchen Sponge
Your kitchen sponge is a breeding ground for bacteria, soaking up food particles, grease, and moisture. Research shows that sponges contain more bacteria than a toilet seat—including E. coli and salmonella.
How to clean it:
Microwave a damp sponge for one minute to kill bacteria, or soak it in a mixture of vinegar and water. Replace sponges every two weeks to keep your kitchen sanitary.
3. Toothbrush Holder
Your toothbrush holder collects water, toothpaste drips, and airborne bacteria from the bathroom. Since it’s often damp, it’s an ideal environment for mold, mildew, and bacteria to thrive. In fact, studies show that toothbrush holders are one of the dirtiest household items.
How to clean it:
Wash your toothbrush holder weekly with hot, soapy water or disinfectant spray. If it’s dishwasher-safe, run it through the dishwasher.
4. Cutting Boards
Your cutting board—especially if it’s made of wood—absorbs bacteria from raw meat, vegetables, and hands. The grooves left by knife cuts trap bacteria, which can multiply if not cleaned properly. Some cutting boards have 200 times more bacteria than a toilet seat!
How to clean it:
Sanitize cutting boards after every use by scrubbing them with hot water, dish soap, and a mix of vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. For wooden boards, rub them with coarse salt and lemon juice to kill bacteria naturally.
5. Kitchen Sink
You might think your toilet is the dirtiest place in your home, but your kitchen sink is worse. Leftover food particles, standing water, and bacteria from dirty dishes create the perfect environment for germs to multiply. Studies have found that the average kitchen sink contains more bacteria than a toilet bowl.
How to clean it:
Disinfect your sink daily by scrubbing it with hot water and baking soda. Once a week, pour a cup of vinegar and baking soda down the drain, then rinse with boiling water.
6. Remote Control
Your remote control is handled constantly but rarely cleaned, making it a magnet for bacteria, dirt, and oil from hands. It’s even worse if you eat while watching TV, as crumbs and grease get transferred onto the buttons.
How to clean it:
Wipe remotes weekly with a disinfecting wipe or a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol. Use a toothpick to remove dirt from between the buttons.
7. Laptop Keyboard
Your laptop keyboard harbors food crumbs, dust, and bacteria from your hands. Since people rarely clean their keyboards, they can be 20 times dirtier than a toilet seat. If you eat while using your computer, bacteria from your hands and food transfer onto the keys, making it a germ hotspot.
How to clean it:
Use a can of compressed air to remove crumbs, then wipe the keyboard with a disinfectant wipe or isopropyl alcohol on a cloth. Clean your keyboard weekly to prevent bacteria buildup.
8. Your Car Steering Wheel
Your steering wheel accumulates bacteria from your hands, food, and even coughs and sneezes. Studies show that a car steering wheel can be four times dirtier than a toilet seat, especially if you eat in the car or rarely clean it.
How to clean it:
Wipe your steering wheel weekly with disinfectant wipes or a damp cloth with mild soap and water. Pay extra attention to buttons and grips, where bacteria thrive.
9. Bathroom Towels
Damp towels trap bacteria, mold, and mildew, especially if they’re not dried properly. Studies show that towels can contain more bacteria than a toilet seat, especially when reused multiple times without washing.
How to clean it:
Wash towels every three to four uses in hot water and always hang them to dry completely between uses.
10. Handbags and Purses
Your handbag goes everywhere with you, from store counters to public bathrooms. Research shows that the bottom of a purse can have more bacteria than a toilet seat, including fecal bacteria from floors and surfaces.
How to clean it:
Wipe down handles and the bottom of your bag weekly with disinfectant wipes. Avoid placing your bag on the floor, and clean out the inside to remove crumbs and dust.
