What's the germiest surface in your bathroom? It's not what you might think.

 

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Most people believe the toilet seat is the most contaminated site in the home; however this is generally not true. Believe it or not, on average, sinks have been found to have a higher bacterial count than any other surface in the home. This is because sinks tend to stay moist — a prerequisite for bacterial growth — and often contain plenty of microscopic organic matter (skin flakes, body oils and other tiny bits of "food") for bacteria to eat.

Given the high bacterial environment of the sink, it is important to use the correct cleaning methods and solutions. One of the most effective and least toxic methods is the use of a steam vapor cleaner to remove soil and kill germs without the need for chemicals.

 

Keep in mind that chemical disinfectants are deactivated by soil, so to properly disinfect using these products, you will need to clean the surface before you apply the disinfectant. Let the germicidal solution sit on the surface for several minutes (dwell time) to ensure it kills the most germs.

The Air in There

Another concern in the bathroom is particles that hang in the air after flushing the toilet. The particles are called aerosol. Charles Gerba (see the Housekeeping Channel's Technical Advisory Board), an environmental microbiologist at the University of Arizona, performed studies on toilet aerosol to examine what occurs when a toilet is flushed. He found that an invisible cloud of water droplets forms and travels six to eight feet, spreading bacteria to countertops, walls, ceiling, floor and any items, such as toothbrushes, in the vicinity.

Gerba discovered that the bacteria cloud lingers up to two hours after each flush of the toilet. This bacteria-ridden cloud of moisture not only contaminates the surfaces of the bathroom, it also gets inhaled into the lungs. When bacteria are inhaled, they may cause respiratory distress or an infection in vulnerable persons.

Germ Reduction

To reduce exposure to and the spread of bacteria when using your bathroom, you should:

• Clean the sink regularly (and, of course, the tub and shower), then treat it with steam vapor or a disinfectant product.
  
  
• Wash your hands after using the toilet. Use soap and warm water, and scrub the palms, backs of your hands, fingertips, and between your fingers. Keep in mind that it is the friction and use of soap and running water which mainly eliminates bacteria from your hands.
  
  
• Close the toilet lid prior to flushing.
  
  
• Leave the bathroom immediately after flushing.

 

About Stacey Lloyd

Stacey Lloyd is the lung diseases guide for About.com. She has written many articles about respiratory health and air quality. Stacey holds an M.S. degree in quality assurance and regulatory affairs from Temple University School of Pharmacy, and has worked in quality control microbiology laboratory management in the pharmaceutical industry for more than six years.

To learn more about lung diseases and how to improve indoor air quality, go to lungdiseases.about.com. Contact Stacey at lungdiseases.guide@about.com.

Copyright © Stacey Lloyd. All rights in all media reserved.