Have you cleaned your office recently? I'm on one of my cleaning binges where I turn the whole house upside down and dust and scrub until I fall over from sleep deprivation. It made me think: which germs am I bringing INTO my home with all the bags I tote around?
It turns out that the purse and laptop bag that help keep me organized also contribute to germ infestation in my office. In fact, a woman's office reportedly has twice as much bacteria as a man's office, largely because of handbags.
Researchers believe that because women put their bags on bathroom floors, in shopping carts and in cars, the bags transport the germs from place to place. So next time you drop your handbag on your desk, think again.
Have you wiped down your bag? Here are three more spots that often get overlooked:
Mouse: There are so many great products on the market for cleaning your keyboard, but what about your mouse? Go for a non-toxic wipe and if you want to use a spray cleaner, first spray it on a paper towel or cloth and then wipe the mouse. You don't want liquid going directly into the ports and mechanical.
Desk surface: I'm terrible about eating at my desk. Turns out that your table top may have 400 times more germs than a toilet seat. Yeah, puke. Choose a cleaner made for your surface. For example, wood cleaner for wood or glass cleaner for glass. Just be sure it has antibiotic properties.
Door handle: You go in and out thousands of times in a year and probably would never think to wipe it down. Then, think of all the people who also touch your office door handle. While you're at it, wipe down all the door handles in the whole house.
(Images: Elizabeth Giorgi)
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For every purse I see on the metro, I see another briefcase, messenger bag, and laptop bag... so if you live in a city where people commute by mass transit, it's not at all limited to women's workspaces. It's everyone's work spaces.
People should stop obsessing with germs.
I'm a woman and I carry a good-sized bag to and from work. Washability definitely played a role in my choice of bag! Still, when traveling, I keep it over my shoulder or in my lap -- I would never put it on the ground or the floor, much less a bathroom floor.
Holla, @maxb! Really, people? How old are all of you? How did you get to be that old with all these scary germs all over the place? Were you all taking a moment to anti-bacterial wipe down your workspace in kindergarten? Behind the bleachers on prom night?
And now that you KNOW your tote is infested with germs, is it that much more dangerous than when it hadn't been pointed out to you yet?
Sorry. This stuff does tend to annoy. /
/rant off//
These posts annoy the cr*p out of me.
Do NOT go out and buy more antibacterial sprays, for the love of God.
If you do go out and buy more antibacterial sprays from this post, make sure that it is alcohol based! Check the labels, if the active ingredient is something that you don't understand (i.e. does not have alcohol in it) then DO NOT BUY IT! They are antibiotics and they promote the growth of super bacteria.
I wash my hands when I get into the office, but I touch door knobs, subway seats, poles, and there are always people inches away from me. They say people who use mass transit have stronger immune systems.
Those of us exposed to "germs" on a routine basis all have stronger immune sytems. Children kept away from dirt and living in antibacterial sprayed homes are the first to get ill when they mingle with acutal <gasp> people.
Also, please don't saturate anything I buy with antibacterial anything. It makes bacteria evolve yet again into superbugs.
Why would anyone EVER put their bag down on a bathroom floor?
On the news, whether local or CNN, between the shootings, the murders and Snooki, there is always a story about germs...
This is a great example of why science reporting just sucks generally - it's all based on headline grabbing gimicks and either glosses over or doesn't mention the source of the research and the true implications of it.
The writer mentions swine flu in the beginning - but then mostly ignores the fact flu is typically spread by being near someone who coughs (airborne droplets) not by touching infected surfaces. And the best way to prevent or minimize the effects of flu is handwashing and getting vaccinated. You don't need to disinfect your household.
And the office 'research,' funded by makers of disinfectants - the reporter just repeats their reason for funding the study at face value - when it's clear that perhaps the study was done just to drum up this kind of story in the first place. Believe me - the CDC isn't throwing its hands up in the air screaming that we should be disinfecting our offices more. This study doesn't show a link between more germs and more disease. Germs are everywhere. If you practice regular hand washing and good food handling techniques, you should be fine.
Then the reporter mentions the U.K.-based Hygeine Council. Sounds authoritative. And if you google it, it has an .org domain - oohhh, non-profit. But maybe the fact that they are funded solely by a UK-based maker of detergents, etc, similar to proctor and gamble, means that again, we might not want to take their authority at face value.
Sloppy, sloppy reporting. Bad science. And a totally unnecessary story.
Argh. Instead of worrying about where there are too many germs, we should be bringing dogs and mud and produce with farm dirt on them into the house. No wonder everyone's sick all the time.
I'm loving all these comments! Germ-phobia is the disease we have to be concerned about!
Women who purchase good handbags do not put them on a bathroom floor. It just doesn't happen. Now, moms who carry diaper bags put those things everywhere. I've seen mommies who just had the bag on the public changing table in the loo go out and put the bag on a tabletop or on a chair in a cafe. Then there are the briefcase carriers who plop those filthy puppies up on the conference table to retrieve papers. You see, you can blame just about everyone for spreading muck about. The world is a dirty place.
This just reminds me of what my germophobe sister-in-law always likes to say: "Life is messy. I've gotta clean it up."
To which I always answer, "No. Life is what happens while you're too busy cleaning up to notice. Go watch your kids play. In the dirt."
Once again, gendered biased research to show that women better fix up and take care of their stuff because they are the ones who spread more germs.
I wonder who funded this "research," it couldn't have possibly been one of the companies that sell antibacterial products could it have? No, because that never happens.
Common sense like washing your hands after using the bathroom or coming home is one thing, loading up on antibacterial sprays is another. Although I will admit, it drives me crazy when my partner puts down our market bags on the kitchen table, when I know those have been on the ground, on the metro, etc. Keep that on the floor, thanks.
1. Hang your bag on the hook provided in the bathroom.
2. Wash your hands with soap after using the toilet and before preparing food.
3. Stop worrying about bacteria and enjoy your life.
I think almost all women don't want to put their bags on the bathroom floor but sometimes there is no hook. I'm just saying.
It's funny to me people who obsess about germs. I'm thinking I've made it to adulthood intact so why would I change the way I do things now? Wash hands with soap and warm water, cover your face when you sneeze or cough, and don't obsess.
awww, once again I love the comments here! I was worried about "oh, lemme buy a crate full of antibacterial soap, wipes and mice". Instead people have common sense.
I am aware of the public transit/bag on floor problem. but my rule is I can either put my bag on the floor or on the table. not both. I also don't sit on my bed with my day clothes. But that's because I have to watch people in this city leave their snot and spit on the floor, very publicly and not in corners or against walls. you never know what you are standing in.
But no extra safety measures except for keeping bags of the floor or of my furniture.
Amen, AngelineTheBaker. Exactly right.
Guess what? You have something like 100 TRILLION microbes in and on your body. This is actually more than the number of human cells that make up your body. While I understand the germ theory of disease, thank you very much, I'm on team 'work your immune system'. Wash your hands, try not to touch your face too much, and relax.
(http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/14/health/human-microbiome-project-decodes-our-100-trillion-good-bacteria.html?_r=3&pagewanted=all)
What about handling the ketchup bottle or salt and pepper shakers at restaurants that everyone has handled. Maybe I should wear plastic gloves when I go out to eat...lol.
I have never, and I repeat, N-E-V-E-R, put my bag on a washroom floor.
I also happen to think that North America is completely OCD when it comes to germs. I don't waste any time freaking out that there might be germs on my toilet seat. I clean the house as needed and you will not find Lysol or similar products in my cupboards.
I am the opposite of Bill Murray's character in "What About Bob?".
When I get to work, I put my messenger into my wardrobe at work and there it stays until the end of the day. The women I work with put it on their desk, take it to the washroom, bring it back, etc. So sure, many men carry some sort of bag with them, but most don't carry it with them throughout the day everywhere they go as it usually contains paperwork or work related material as opposed to their personal possessions or wallet.
I do agree that people care far too much today about germs though. These germs were around 10, 25, 50, ... years ago, people were fine. In fact, the cases of asthma and allergies and those sort of things are much more common now that everyone disinfects every surface they come into contact with. Wash your hands before you eat and don't touch your face - you'll be fine.
For those who put their bags on the floor when they're in a stall in a public bathroom, there are bigger threats than germs: purse snatchers!
Wow. Gender bias, and fear mongering all in one article. Seriously?
Show me a case of ONE person who's ever gotten sick from this, and then I'll worry about it.
People get so snarky here with the anti-germophobia that I always feel the need to point this out:
Some of us have health problems that weaken our immune systems and stupid things like cleaning our keyboard can be the difference between good health and illness. People who are on meds for conditions like cancer, asthma, GERD, high cholesterol, or arthritis don't have the same level of resistance as the rest of the population. I agree that most people don't have to worry about germs, but that doesn't make this a stupid topic. Most people don't have to worry about tornados, but people probably wouldn't get up in arms over an article about preparing for disasters.
Basically, I'm just asking that people sideline the snark. Realize that not everyone enjoys the same good health that you do. I've spent the last 6 weeks indoors (2 of them in the hospital) recovering from pneumonia that I got from a mere common cold strain. You better believe I take germs very seriously.
I swear AT has ONE blogger who is super OCD about germs -- the post about how one should get a dishwasher because it (may) autoclave your dishes, the post a while ago about cleaning your sink by soaking it in vinegar-soaked cloths and I don't remember what all, etc. Come on, there's attention to cleanliness, and then there's needing help.
On the other hand, wiping down your mouse/keyboard/purse periodically isn't such a bad idea. Those things do get grody after a while.
Listen.... if women are putting their handbags on the bathroom floor - it's because the men who designed the bathrooms failed to think of the need for hooks! Or they're not replacing the broken or missing hooks. (if a woman designed the bathroom, I can assure you that hooks were not overlooked!!
What woman puts her purse on the bathroom floor?! No one! Not unless all other options have been eliminated. I would balance it on my lap if I had to, before I set it on the floor.
Now, what really mystifies me - is why there aren't also hooks supplied at the sink?
If we need to hang our coat and purse in the stall - do we suddenly have more hands while washing our hands at the sink?
Really, when are designers going to figure this out? I'm trying to hold my coat between my knees and keep my purse on my shoulder while leaning forward at the sink. It's like a circus act!!!
I'm proud to be cultivating an environment that will keep my immune system from becoming a starved, emaciated thing. Let the germs stay. I keep my area clean, but sterilizing things just seems ridiculous to me. And given how often I get sick, and how mildly sick I get compared to others around me with (presumably) the same bug, this approach seems to be working pretty great for me.
@AKAY, my sympathies. However, MOST people do not have immune suppressed systems, so please remember that the "snark" you sense is aimed at germ phobics who have led to the creation of MRSA, not at people like you who have to take unusual precautions. You should just exempt yourself from the criticisms. (And you should also pretty much be on the side of the scoffers, here, since MRSA would be all that much more devastating to you than to someone healthier...)
I have been known to place my handbag on the floor of the restroom. I am not dead yet. (I prefer not to, but sometimes options are limited.) Anyway, studies I have read about suggest that bathrooms are usually far more likely to be sanitized than people think.
However, I work in a library. We keep on hand a bowl of those alcohol wipes intended to sanitize the site of an insulin injection, for patrons to wipe off mice and keyboards. Since the public computers are visited by people with, lets say, all different levels of health and hygiene, we consider this a public service. And I THINK I detect less sniffling at the keyboards than in the days before we did this... in any case, people appreciate the opportunity.
I wish the people who design public toilets would move the bag hook from the door. I never use it because I was taught that any item placed there can be stolen too easily. I wish they would make a fold down shelf or place a hook on the wall above the cistern.
I have had bags etc wrecked because of fluid (I like to think it is JUST water) on floors in toilets.
Akay has a great point: some people need antibacterial products. My late bf had a dialysis catheter that required us to use exceptional cleaning & hygiene products. After he died (of heart failure, not an infection), I used up the products I had left, then returned to using non-antibacterial stuff, since my health & immunity are fine. However, with superbugs cropping up every day, I tend to think antibacterial products should be available only by prescription.
Not trying to cause panic here, but what can be more bacteria ridden than a wallet? Just think how many different people handled those dollar bills and coins that we keep in our pockets or bags.
@Madampince--AMEN. I definitely think antibacterial products should be available by prescription only. If nothing else, it would make it a much bigger hassle to be a germophobe. I'd love to avoid as many antibacterial products as I can. It drives me nuts when every restaurant's bathroom only has antibacterial soap. Ugh!
Maybe I'm missing something, but why is putting your bag on the bathroom floor an obvious problem? I don't get it.
Don't forget your keyboard! That's probably as dirty as your mouse or door handle, if not more dirty!
Akay...
I react very strongly to this germophobic hysteria drummed up in the country precisely BECAUSE we're creating germs that will be more likely to kill us.
And, also, I guess... because people are such willing sheep and mass hysteria moves across the population because no one questions what they read/hear/see.
So, yeah - when the media overplays something like the "danger" of my purse (really?!), I feel obligated to counter their culture-saturation with a little common sense.
As many others have already said, this rampant germaphobia is beyond ridiculous. Please AT, stop contributing to the hysteria!
rinse, repeat.