That’s Gross!: Three Everyday Activities That Expose You to Germs and Bacteria

People generally tend to avoid the things they think will expose them to germs: public toilets, garbage dumps, raw sewage, you name it. But did you know that there are things you do every day that actually expose you to more germs than you can find on a toilet seat? Here are three activities done on a daily basis that are actually exposing you to thousands of germs.

Eating at Your Desk
While it may seem like the perfect place to sit an have lunch, eating at your desk can lead to the development of bacteria. On their own, work desks can have up to 400 times more germs than the office toilet. On top of that, offices where people eat at their desks harbor three times the amount of bacteria when compared to those who eat away from their desk. If you insist on eating where you work, make sure to wipe the surface of the desk down before and after you eat. Or, look for other places to eat your lunch!

Answering the Phone
When you get a call, you probably don't hesitate to pick it up immediately. But every time you pick up your phone, you pick up all the germs that it's been sitting in. On average, office phones have 25,127 germs per square inch. While cellphones are typically only used by one person, even setting the phone down for a minute can result in the transfer of malicious germs. Before picking up a public phone, quickly wipe it down with a disinfectant wipe to make sure there are no germs to pick up. If you only ever use a cellphone, make sure to periodically wipe it down with a cleaning cloth to keep it germ-free.

Washing Your Hands
While people typically tend to think of washing their hands as a positive hygiene practice, it means nothing if touching your sink brings back all the germs you just washed off. Faucets attract germs and bacteria due to the constant presence of moisture, which can break off and end up all over your sink. The best way to prevent the build up of germs is to clean the faucet about once a week.

Professional office cleaning services can help keep your office from becoming a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. Professional office cleaning services send experienced janitors who are able to keep even the most germ-infested areas clean, without interrupting employees during work hours. Professional office cleaning will provide you with a clean work environment to keep your employees working at their best.