9 Examples of Extremely Dirty Objects and Surfaces

Though it may not be obvious to the naked eye, certain objects and surfaces that you interact with every day are actually extremely dirty. This should matter not for aesthetic reasons, but reasons that are immediately related to your health. Pathogenic microorganisms, like harmful bacteria and viruses, can thrive on such surfaces if they are not cleaned properly. Common examples of disease-causing bacteria that can live on dirty surfaces and objects are Salmonella, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Staphylococcus aureus (staph). On the other hand, common viruses that can be transmitted through person-to-surface contact include the rhinovirus, human coronaviruses, influenza viruses, adenoviruses, enteroviruses, human parainfluenza viruses, and the human metapneumovirus. Both classes of pathogens represent serious risks to your health. Thus, it’s worth taking a closer look at the objects and surfaces on which they thrive. 

This article will serve as a guide on how pathogens can spread through dirty objects and surfaces, and what the most common culprits are. Learn about why they’re hotspots for harmful viruses and bacteria, and how to protect yourself and your loved ones. 

How Disease Can Spread from Dirty Objects and Surfaces

While many diseases can spread through direct person-to-person transmission, certain pathogens can also live on surfaces and objects for a certain time, posing a risk of infection on individuals who might come into contact with them.  

When such surfaces are left unsanitized for long periods, there’s a higher risk that pathogenic organisms could survive and thrive on them . When it comes to communal and public surfaces and objects, there’s also the added uncertainty of not knowing if they’ve been handled or touched by people who are currently sick. Such prospects can seem more than a little scary, and you may be wondering what you can do to best decrease your risk of getting infected.. 

In truth, you can make a big difference to your own health, as well as the health of your community, by adjusting your living habits. Make it a regular practice to wash your hands and sanitize items that you own, and take extra precaution when touching communal surfaces and objects. Though these are simple methods, they can make you a lot less vulnerable to the spread of pathogens and, consequently, dangerous diseases. Extra awareness of how to protect yourself is key. 

The Top 9 Dirtiest Objects and Surfaces You Encounter Every Day

What follows is a list of objects and surfaces that can get extremely dirty and can make an ideal breeding ground for pathogenic microorganisms. Watch out for these, and act accordingly.  

Handrails

Handrails are necessary to provide support for those going up ramps and stairs. They’re also regular fixtures in public transport vehicles such as trains or buses. Unfortunately, these handrails can get pretty dirty for the sheer amount of people who touch them. For a little added protection when touching them, you may want to have your own antimicrobial hand protector from Ghluv. This is an affordable, easy-to-use piece of clothing that you can pull over your hand when you grip metal railing. Ghluv’s textile material is treated with HeiQ Viroblock, a technology that was first developed during the SARS-CoV-1 epidemic of 2003.  Wearing this product can help you minimize your exposure to viruses in the same family , as the treated fabric kills them upon contact. Paired with regular hand hygiene, the use of antimicrobial hand protectors will do a lot to safeguard your health when you’re out in public.  

Doorknobs

Doorknobs are also handled quite often by people, and as such, they are likely to harbor a lot of germs as well. Every time you turn a doorknob or door handle, make sure to either wash your hands or sanitize them with a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Make it a practice to clean doorknobs inside your own home. Wiping them down with disinfectant wipes and allowing them to dry should suffice.

Light Switches 

There’s a good chance that pathogenic microorganisms are breeding on the plastic surface of your light switches. As instructed above, wash your hands every time you press a light switch in a public environment. For switches in your own home, you can easily sanitize your light switches by applying rubbing alcohol or bleach solution on a tissue or microfiber towel, then using that to wipe the surface of your switches. Never spray the solution directly on the plate, as that may make you susceptible to electric shock. 

Elevator Buttons

If you work in an office or live in an apartment with its own elevator, be wary of elevator buttons. They are yet another metal surface where pathogens may be rife. After touching elevator buttons, you should clean your hands as soon as possible. Wash with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer.

Paper Cash and Coins 

Paper cash and coins are another example of inanimate objects that can spread pathogens. According to a study from the Swift Institute, physical currency can change hands as often as 55 times a year, or roughly once a week. Despite how often cash and coins are used, they’re not sanitized by default. As such, when handling paper or metal currency, be extra conscientious about your hand hygiene after. In situations where you can opt for contactless payment instead of cash, choose the former.  

ATM Machines

Likewise, ATM machines that dispense cash are likely to contain a lot of germs. Harmful bacteria and viruses may thrive on the ATM’s metal or plastic keypad and glass touchscreen. As such, don’t forget to wash or sanitize your hands every time you make a trip to the ATM machine. Better yet, as above, try to minimize the number of cash transactions you need to do and choose cashless payment whenever possible.  

Supermarket Carts

One of the public places where you are most susceptible to pathogens—both from person-to-person contact and person-to-surface contact—is the supermarket. A lot of harmful bacteria can be found on supermarket carts, coming from sources like raw meat and children’s diapers. This is another situation where you may want to use an antimicrobial hand protector. Pull it down when you need to hold  the shopping cart handle, and clean your hands as soon as you’ve left the supermarket. 

Bathroom Surfaces

Pathogenic microorganisms can breed in a lot of different areas in the bathroom. Aside from surviving on light switches and door handles, they may thrive in the shower tub, drains, or faucets where there’s a lot of moisture. Make sure to disinfect switches and doorknobs daily, and set aside time to do a weekly cleaning of your bathroom. Switch out dirty bathroom towels for clean ones at least once a week, and replace toothbrushes every three months. 

Gadgets

Lastly, you should pay attention to the surfaces on your gadgets like your cellphone, tablet, or laptop. Viruses may live on the plastic or metal surfaces of these gadgets for up to three days. To avoid the risk of infection, make sure to keep your gadgets clean. Gently wipe down these surfaces with disinfecting wipes or with a cleaning solution that’s exclusively for electronics.   

Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones through Proper Hygiene and Disinfection Practices

Cleaning, disinfection, and adding extra layers of protection on your person are three habits that should go together. If these become second nature to you, you’ll be doing a lot to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from disease. Every proactive decision will matter in the long run—so stay informed, and equip yourself to handle any of these objects or surfaces properly!