Germs. You cannot get away from them. And this is why it is essential that you keep practicing proper handwashing while you lather up with soap and water. Then always dry it well no matter what you touch.
But there are things that you should not touch at all, according to your doctor. Let’s go over those 12 things to not touch and why it is essential that you cannot touch it!
#11 – The Uber Door Handle
Imagine how many people are using that Uber car that you are about to get into? It is full of germs and viruses that you would not want to even know about. Be sure to carry hand sanitizer with you at all times and use it after using the door handle of your Uber driver or a taxi!
#10 – Toys At The Doctor’s Or Dentist’s Office
If you bring your kids into a doctor or dentist waiting room, there are toys that will keep them company. The problem is that those toys are full of germs from other kids playing with it. And yes, they likely do clean and sanitize those toys often, but they can’t do it all of the time. If a sick child was playing with those toys, then your child that plays with them right after will catch whenever the other child had. Bring toys from home and sanitize those after you are done with the visit.
#9 – Your Toothbrush If It Is Near The Toilet
If you store your toothbrush near the toilet, then you will want to get rid of it right away. It is collecting fecal matter that you cannot see when you flush. Keep your toothbrush either in the cabinet under the sink or as far away from the toilet on your counter as you can.
#8 – Other People’s Drinks
Someone may offer you a drink from their cup if they give you a straw but you will want to pass even if the drink they are drinking looks absolutely delicious. You have no idea what types of germs and viruses that they have, and this is a common way how mononucleosis is passed on which is not an illness you want to have. It is best to get your own drink!
#7 – Other People’s Towels
It is bad enough to touch other people’s pens, but towels are much worse. You have no idea when the last time the towel was washed that someone else has been using. Secondly, you have no idea what kind of germs are on the towel. Someone who is sick with a virus whether it is COVID-19 or not will contaminate their towels. If you use it, then you will contract it too. Or you will infect yourself with something!
#6 – The Gym Yoga Mat
If you are going to handle yoga mats at your gym, you will want to think about wearing disposable gloves. These mats are made of porous plastics and those will retain germs for a long time. Therefore, those yoga mats are absolutely infested with microbes you would not want to know about. If you don’t use rubber gloves to handle them then you will want to give your hands a good scrub. You will be better off by taking your own yoga mat that you can clean on a regular basis.
#5 – Electronic Pens
Electronic pens that are at banks right near keypads are full of germs from other people. And you have no choice but to use it when you are banking, but either wear disposable gloves to sanitize your hands after using it.
#4 – Public Restroom Floors
If you need to sit in the public restroom for whatever reason such as being nauseated, you are better off sitting on a bench if you can find one. Or just sit on the toilet in the stall. The floors are infested with germs as people are walking around there and bringing in germs from other places. In addition from that fecal particle on the floors. Just yuck!
#3 – Other People’s Garbage
If someone’s garbage had blown onto your front lawn, you will want to make sure you wear disposable gloves before handling it by throwing it away into your own garbage. That garbage no matter what it is from is full of germs that were trapped into it from the outdoors in addition to the other people handling it.
#2 – Other People’s Leftovers
It is fine if someone else’s leftovers have not been touched at all. But if they were eating it and want to pass their leftovers to you, you do not want it since it was on their plates or bowls and their utensils had been in it. Even if they are not sick, they still are likely carriers of germs and viruses! The only time to eat someone else’s leftovers is if they had not touched it in wrapping other than taking a clean utensil to portion it out on their plates.
#1 – Menus
How can you not touch a menu at a restaurant? They are one of the dirtiest things around to touch as so many other people have touched them and they are not cleaned. There are several options. Either after using the menu, wash your hands well after. Or wear disposable gloves, or use hand sanitizer. You can also pull up the menu from your phone or use a paper one that restaurants hand out. But you don’t want to be eating right after touching that germ-infested menu.
Healthy Tip!
This may sound counterintuitive but it is best not to use antibacterial soap too often and only use it sparingly. If you use it all of the time, it can promote resistance to bacteria which will defeat its purpose.
The bottom line is that after touching these things if you do, either wash your hands well after, wear gloves, or sanitize your hands! This is how sickness spreads like wildfire and stay healthy.
