When you think of the dirtest places in your office what do you think of? What is the most commonly used item in your office? Well many of you may have guessed the toilet seat. According to the article The Filthiest Spot in Your Office Is Where? Prepare to Be Shocked, your phone and desk are the “most bacteria-ridden places in the office.”
A study that was funded by the Clorox Company found that “the phone and desktop have 400 times more germs than the toilet seat.” “Toilet seat ranked the cleanest of the 12 surfaces tested.”
Staphylococcus and E-coli were the most common diseases found on the desk and phone. So whats the reason behind all this?
The Clorox Company found that toilet seats and bathrooms were cleaned regularly. In most cases nightly. Personal desks and phones are not cleaned as often as they should be causing bacteria to build on top of the desk and the phone.
So what is the simple solution to all this? Well, just clean your desks. When I read this it made me want to go clean my house phones.
Oh yes, I’m cleaning my phone right now! I saw a news clip awhile ago in regards to how dirty toilet seats are and I was amazed at the results. They were the same as what you have stated above. Thank God for cell phones so we don’t have to use pay phones anymore! What about light switches and door handles? Does anyone regularly clean those? I know I don’t, but I’m thinking about it now.
Comment by Julia Garcia — November 2, 2006 @ 1:31 am
This is something I figured out years ago. In the office that I managed, everyone had a can of Lysol for their phone and desk. I always hated it when someone would come in and want to use the phone who was sick. We would also spray the air with the Lysol.
I am not as good about cleaning my home phones. Usually I only clean them when I can see make up on the keys. After reading this article, I will have to clean my home phones more often!
Comment by kjamrozy — November 4, 2006 @ 4:21 pm
Add keyboards to the list of bacteria riden office objects. They get so nasty in a shared computer environment. Cleaning light switches and door knobs are a part of regular chores. I wash my hands often when in public places, and hesitate to read the magazines at doctors offices. Bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics so keeping surfaces clean will be even more critical in the future.
Comment by love2fish — November 4, 2006 @ 10:10 pm
I whole-heartedly agree!
In my office at work, I don’t even eat on my desk. We have a problem with the cleaning ladies liking to skip the offices and go straight to the breakroom, so they offices don’t get cleaned very often (grr). I’ll put my food on my lap and eat it!
Comment by cinnamonspider — November 16, 2006 @ 3:50 pm