The dirtiest things in most people's homes
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (55994)
December 7, 2025 4:35pm CST
Today has been strange. We woke up to a thin sheet of ice on everything, so obviously not much was moving out there. Then it finally reached about 33 degrees for 90 minutes or so, some of it turned to water (we still have the snow we got a week ago) and now it's frozen again, so it's back to ice. It's definitely a stay at home day here!
The first thing I saw today when I turned on the laptop was an article about dirty things in our homes. Of course, I had to read it. The most disturbing...
The dirtiest thing in most homes is cell phones. Supposedly 10 times germier than your toilet ever is. I suspected it would be on the list, but sheesh...how gross is that? That being said, since it's always nearby or in my pocket, I do clean it every night with a sanitizing wipe, so at least I have been trying. I got sick reading that staph, MERSA, and E-coli germs last the longest on a cell phone. Ugh, nasty!
High on the list was remotes for TV's and other objects, car keys, your dishrag, dishtowel, and especially if you use a sponge in the kitchen. Scratch pads. Kitchen sinks, cutting boards, and bathroom faucets are high on the list, too. My scratch pad always gets washed in the dishwasher with the dishes in hot water. If I am home, I get a new dishcloth several times a day, because well, I cook. I change all kitchen linens every day. And I never reuse a washcloth, I just can't.
I'm not saying my house is perfectly clean because it's not possible. I try hard. I don't want to be sick and I for sure don't want my son catching anything that would make him sicker.
I realize there are some germs in our world that help us build resistance to diseases, etc. but many do not. Even though I do use a sanitizing wipe on my phone every day, I gave it an extra wipe down after I read this. I couldn't help myself!
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15 people like this
11 responses
@MarieCoyle (55994)
•
8 Dec
The dishwasher is right by the sink, so when I am done with the scratch pad, I keep it in the top rack if I am not using it. I figure it makes it cleaner not to leave it out, and then it's always in the dishwasher when I do turn it on.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (95367)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
7 Dec
There is enough to worry about in this world ai do not worry about germs in my little apartment if there is anythign that will kill me so be it,
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (55994)
•
7 Dec
In your case, you live completely by yourself and rarely go out, so your chances of bringing home any stray germs from outside are a lot less. We are at the hospital or treatment center every week, plus any appointments, so of course no matter what we are going to be where sick people are. I know this makes me think I need to be more vigilant then ever.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (95367)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
7 Dec
@MarieCoyle I suggest disinfentant wipe to wipe off surfaces and such because as you say you never know what might be brought home and what you might have touched,
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (55994)
•
8 Dec
@RasmaSandra
I generally clean with a surface cleaner that claims to kill 99.9% of all bacteria and viruses, including Covid. It's very inexpensive and seems to work well.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (186785)
• Boise, Idaho
9 Dec
Oooh! Ick! This is why I clean my laptop and cell phone every few days. We need to dust again soon. Thanks for the reminder.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (186785)
• Boise, Idaho
10 Dec
@MarieCoyle .........I have alarms set up to clean the phone, and one to turn it off every few days for 15 minutes. My grandson said to do that one.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55994)
•
9 Dec
After I read about what all could be on a phone, I gave mine an extra cleaning and pulled the case from it and cleaned it as well. I don’t do that step every time I clean my but I will be doing it more often now!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55994)
•
11 Dec
@celticeagle
The phone I have now, I was told to shut it off once a week, so I do that.
1 person likes this
@May2k8 (19724)
• Indonesia
9 Dec
@MarieCoyle they have hair that can make you itch until it turns red.
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@MarieCoyle (55994)
•
9 Dec
@May2k8
I see caterpillars at times outside, but I never pick them up.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (39703)
• Toccoa, Georgia
8 Dec
Yes, I read about phones being very dirty.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (216565)
• United States
8 Dec
I hardly ever go out; so I'm not too worried about germs. I get grossed out more about dust mites.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (216565)
• United States
9 Dec
@MarieCoyle Yes, they say when a pillow gets heavy, it's full of dust mites. That grosses me out.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55994)
•
11 Dec
@LindaOHio
Supposedly, it's the same with mattresses and upholstered furniture as well.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55994)
•
8 Dec
Dust mites are everywhere, all over the earth. We can try to fight them, but they are there regardless, even if we can eliminate some of their numbers.
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@MarieCoyle (55994)
•
8 Dec
I know my kids and I have been doing this since Covid, it's a habit that just stuck with us.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (495571)
• Italy
8 Dec
I knew about the smartphones and this is why I never allowed a guest to put the phone on the table. I also change all kitchen linens every day and I replace the sponge very often. I am very picky about cleaning the bathrooms and the kitchen. I do not pretend to have a super clean house, but I think it's pretty clean and safe.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (495571)
• Italy
9 Dec
@MarieCoyle - Same as you, because often linens get dirty while you cook, so I change more than once a day if necessary.
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@MarieCoyle (55994)
•
8 Dec
I don't put my phone on my table, either. And changing kitchen linens is definitely an everyday thing here, too. If I am cooking, I know they get dirty, sometimes I change them more than once a day.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (89235)
• United States
8 Dec
A lot of those things can easily be overlooked when it comes to germs. I try to keep my phone cleaned like you do as well as the remote. All those kitchen items I try to clean and change frequently especially the sponge. What really grosses me out is when people take their phone into the bathroom.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55994)
•
8 Dec
I agree on taking the phone in the bathroom. When I shower I do put mine on a shelf in the bathroom just in case, since my son is here and isn't well. But I am not on the phone, I am taking a shower.
@MarieCoyle (55994)
•
8 Dec
Yes, they are everywhere and we can't avoid many of them. The only things we can control are really in our own homes. Yes, the phones are supposedly 10 times germier than the toilet. Ugh.
@Dreamerby (9997)
• Calcutta, India
9 Dec
You know I always sanitize my phone right after coming back from office. I wish everyone followed the same. Also not carry the phone to the washroom!
