Are phones dirtier than toilet seats?

Author: Cecile Daniel  |  Last update: Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Smartphones harbor 25,127 bacteria per square inch, making them 20 times dirtier than a public toilet seat, which has around 1,201 bacteria per square inch. 87% of people admit to using their phones in the bathroom. 1 in 6 phones is contaminated with harmful bacteria like E. coli and MRSA.

What is more dirty, a phone or a toilet seat?

One study out of the University of Arizona reported that the average phone has about ten times more bacteria than the average toilet seat. Your cutting boards. It's a kitchen tool you use all the time, especially if you like to cook.

What is dirtier than a toilet seat?

Dishcloths and sponges are dirtier than any other item in the average home, harboring the largest amount of E. coli and other fecal bacteria—mostly because they aren't replaced as often as they should be. Each square inch of these items contains 456 times more bacteria than a toilet seat.

Do phones have fecal matter?

And, yes, your phone may be covered in some of those, too. Pathogens can lurk in fecal matter, like the highly contagious norovirus and rotavirus, which can both cause food poisoning and the stomach flu, along with cold and flu viruses, Reynolds says. Your phone can also house bacteria like E.

What's dirtier, cell phone or money?

Cell phones are 146% dirtier than the minimum hygiene standard of 250. Although still failing the minimum standard of cleanliness, the average card is 38.4% cleaner than your phone. The only dollar bill to pass the minimum standard of cleanliness was the $50 bill.

Your phone is dirtier than the toilet seat

What is the germiest thing in your house?

The item most frequently used to clean dishes and countertops was actually the germiest place found in most homes. Sponges and dish rags can pick up bacteria during the cleaning process, and, if not properly sanitized between uses, can be a prime spot for germ growth.

What wastes mobile data the most?

Things like streaming music and videos or video calling use a lot more data than sending emails and browsing the internet.

How often should you clean your phone?

Health experts suggest cleaning your phone at least once a day as a preventative measure. Before you begin, check with the manufacturer for guidance on how to clean your device. Apple and a number of Android device manufacturers offer similar recommendations: Unplug the device before cleaning.

Is carpet dirtier than a toilet?

Carpeting With 200,000 bacteria per square inch on average, an uncleaned carpet is 4000 times dirtier than a toilet seat.

Is a mouth dirtier than a toilet?

Fact 4: Toilet seats have less germs than mouths! It is estimated that toilet seats have 3,200 bacteria per square inch, where as saliva has an estimated 100 million microbes of bacteria per mililitre with anywhere between 400 and 600 different species.

How dirty is a phone screen?

According to Seattle Times journalist Bobby Caina Calvan, your phone is covered in germs: 25,127 bacteria per square inch, to be precise. This makes cell phones one of the dirtiest objects we come in contact with every day.

What to do if dropped phone in toilet?

What to do immediately after phone falling in water
  1. Step 1: Turn off your phone. If your phone is still on, TURN IT OFF! ...
  2. Step 2: Clean and dry the outside of your phone. ...
  3. Step 3: Remove any removable parts. ...
  4. Step 4: Dry the inside of the phone if possible. ...
  5. Step 5: Leave your phone to dry for one or two days.

Is it hygienic to sit on public toilet?

Many disease-causing organisms can survive for only a short time on the surface of the seat, and for an infection to occur, the germs would have to be transferred from the toilet seat to your urethral or genital tract, or through a cut or sore on the buttocks or thighs, which is possible but very unlikely.

How dirty is cash money?

Paper money can reportedly carry more germs than a household toilet. And bills are a hospitable environment for gross microbes: viruses and bacteria can live on most surfaces for about 48 hours, but paper money can reportedly transport a live flu virus for up to 17 days. It's enough to make you switch to credit.

Is the sink or toilet dirtier?

Think the toilet is the dirtiest spot in the house? You'd be wrong. "There's more fecal bacteria in your kitchen sink than there is in a toilet after you flush it," said microbiologist Charles Gerba, known as "Dr. Germ."

Can I use a baby wipe to clean my phone?

Even though pre-moistened baby wipes seem convenient, they're really not a good idea. This is how we suggest you clean your phone: Make sure your phone is turned off and to disconnect it from any external power sources. This will make it easier to see the dirt on your screen and reduce the risk of a short circuit.

How do you disinfect your phone after using the toilet?

Take a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox cleaning wipe and wring out the excess moisture. Lightly wipe the surfaces of your device, including the screen.

What happens if you don't clean your phone?

But there's the potential that you can pick up cold, flu and RSV germs that can make you sick. Plus, if you use your phone while preparing food, you can deposit germs that cause food poisoning or norovirus, which is easily spread through food and drink.

Is it OK to push while pooping?

Straining while pooping may happen from time to time, but regular straining may injure the rectum. Hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and other complications may result from excessive straining. To avoid straining, a person can try staying hydrated, eating a diet high in fiber, and staying active.

Why shouldn't you sit on the toilet for more than 15 minutes?

However, experts warn that what they call prolonged sitting on the toilet can harm your health. It's even been connected to an increased risk of hemorrhoids and weakened pelvic muscles, said Dr. Lai Xue, a colorectal surgeon at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

Is it rude to answer the phone on the toilet?

In a public restroom, probably. In private, it's no one's business where you're sitting. Just don't grunt or flush until after the call. The flush can come across as a very rude gesture.

What kills your data the most?

Apps are likely the biggest data users on your phone. Anything that needs to connect to the Web to update, refresh, or download will use cell data. This means all your social media and streaming apps, from Facebook to X (formerly Twitter), Spotify to Netflix, will quietly eat up your data.

Does FaceTime use data?

At first glance, the FaceTime app looks similar to minutes-based services like phone calls, texts and iMessage. However, FaceTime requires the internet to work and therefore consumes mobile data, not minutes.

What happens if I keep my mobile data and Wi-Fi both on at a time?

There's no need to turn off cellular data when you're on a Wi-Fi network. Even if you leave it set to 'on,' your phone will connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi. But once you cross out of range, your phone will switch back to data if it's enabled. Step outside and see for yourself – just look both ways first.

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