It's no secret that bathrooms are breeding grounds for germs, but many might be surprised that it's more than just the toilet.
According to Dan Allan, M.D., of Cleveland Clinic, one of the most germ-filled items is the bath mat.
"If people do wash them or clean them it's infrequent, and so they're moist, they're damp, they're on the floor, they're probably not far from the toilet," said Dr. Allan. "So, there's a high risk of contamination and also a high risk of moisture, which will allow a lot of things to sort of continue to grow and fester."
Dr. Allan recommended laundering bath mats every couple of weeks and replacing mats that are hard to clean every three to six months.
He added that towels hung on a bar to dry should be washed to remove dirt and debris every three to four days, while towels hung on a hook will likely need to be washed more frequently because they tend to remain damp and can develop mold.
Mold can cause a variety of health issues including stuffiness, cough or wheezing and can trigger asthma symptoms too.
Another item prone to mold is the shower curtain. Dr. Allan suggested leaving the curtain closed after taking a shower which allows it to dry out.
Cleaning the shower curtain with a light bleach solution will help disinfect and kill bacteria. Running it through a hot cycle in the washing machine is a good way to clean it too.
Loofas are another bacteria-breeder. Dr. Allan said they have crevices where bacteria from the skin, like strep and staph, can get trapped. They also hold moisture which can promote fungus and mold. He recommended these types of items be replaced monthly.
And when it comes to toothbrushes, make sure it's stored away from other items to avoid cross-contamination. It should also be kept upright so it dries properly and kept far from the toilet.
"It's quite important," said Dr. Allan. "When you flush the toilet, there's very fine droplets that are released into the air of not only bacteria, but any other matter that's in the toilet. That can travel up to six feet."
Mold and bacteria thrive in moist environments, therefore, Dr. Allan said it's a good idea to run the bathroom fan during and after a shower to cut down on the amount of moisture in the bathroom.
