Handbags Carry More Germs than Toilet Seats

Ever think about how many times you set your handbag down in the course of it’s lifetime? No one really thinks about that, but if you take the time to think about the surfaces your handbag has seen it might drive you to throw it out or into the washing machine. Studies show that about 20% of handbags carry more bacteria than the average toilet and these bacteria can be a threat to human health.

The dirtiest item that you may carry in your handbag is hand cream, it had more bacteria than the average toilet seat. Typically, leather handbags carry the most bacteria because of the spongy texture; it provides perfect growing conditions for bacteria. Peter Barratt, a technical manager at Initial Hygiene, stated that “handbags come into regular contact with our hands and a variety of surfaces, so the risk of transferring different germs onto them is very high, especially as bags are rarely cleaned.” Once the germs are on the handbags they can easily be transferred through the hands onto other surfaces. Multiply that by all the people you come in contact with and just imagine all of the bacteria. Gross!

It is suggested that women should regularly wash their hands and bags with antibacterial wipes or gel to prevent cross-contamination. Not many women clean their handbags regularly, so it’s a good idea to start doing this. You can clean them with items you have at home or purchase specific handbag cleaners.

Be aware of your surroundings and make sure to always wash your hands. Also, go out and purchase a handbag cleaner, you will thank yourself when you aren’t suffering the after-effects of picking up those nasty bacterial germs!

Sources:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2324247/Womens-handbags-contaminated-bacteria-average-toilet.html?ico=health^headlines

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/260728.php