I don't consider myself a germaphobe. I'm OK with shaking hands during flu season, sharing food, and public bathrooms. Like, these are fine. But another fact about me is that I am a serious caffeine addict and coffee snob, so the recent study conducted by CBS News regarding the germ situation in coffee makers has really put me on edge.
The news station swabbed coffee makers in 10 Chicago-area homes, and the results are straight up disgusting. They found bacteria including gram-positive strains like staphylococcus, streptococcus and bacillus cereus, as well as enteric bacteria (bacteria of the intestines), like E. Coli. Poop germs, guys. They found poop germs IN THE COFFEE MAKER. This is just... the worst. I mean, I realize that 10 homes a tiny, tiny sample size... but still. Yuck.
Granted, recent studies have been finding that serious bacteria is pretty much everywhere, including beards. As in, scientists are ruining everything that I love, but also, evidence of bacteria or E. Coli doesn't mean that you are going to die or that you are straight up consuming poop. It does mean, though, that we should probably be a little more conscious about not only washing our hands, but also disinfecting the items that we use on a daily basis. In addition to coffee makers, here are a few more places that you may want to spend a little extra time cleaning. Or just avoiding. Totally your call.
1. ATMs
A single interaction with an ATM can expose you to up to 1,200 different kinds of germs... which is maybe a great incentive for me to stop spending so much money.
2. Stove Knobs
A study by NSF International in which scientists swabbed 22 surfaces in 30 homes found that 14 percent of stove knobs contained coliform bacteria (as in, salmonella and E. Coli). 27 percent also housed mold and yeast. Good thing the only meal I cook these days is ramen.
3. Airplane Trays
I am always complaining about the "bad air" on airplanes and now I feel vindicated. And also upset. Last year, researchers found that bacteria like E. Coli and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can hang out for up to a week on planes.
4. Your Purse
Yep, I saved the best for the last. Sorry, ladies, but your bag is probably in the top three in terms of "most germ-filled thing you touched today." An albeit small study even found that up to 25 percent of purses contain E. Coli.
BRB — just going to go burn everything I own.
Images: nata_zhekova/Fotolia; Giphy (4)
