When you think of the dirtiest place in your bathroom, you probably quickly think of the toilet. Yet it turns out there's an even dirtier place that won't make you so happy...
Mold and yeast
So what is the dirtiest place in your bathroom? The answer is the toothbrush holder! A research team from NSF International, a global public health and safety organization tested 30 places in the home for yeasts, molds, and bacteria. The team found that of the toothbrush holders, 64 percent contained mold and yeast. Just for comparison, 27 percent of the toilet seats tested contained mold and yeasts. A big difference, then, with your toothbrush holder.
Coliform bacteria
But it gets worse: coliform bacteria were found on 27 percent of the toothbrush holders. These bacteria can indicate fecal-oral contamination. In other words, contamination from ingestion of feces through the mouth. Furthermore, 14 percent of toothbrush holders contained a type of skin bacteria, also known as staphylococcus.
Everything bacteria love
Experts don't think it's crazy that toothbrush holders get so dirty. Lisa Yakas, a microbiologist at NSF says, "Your toothbrush holder has everything bacteria love. It's dark, damp and it's usually not cleaned as often as it should be."
Should you be worried?
We understand that after this news, you would prefer to buy a new toothbrush holder, but according to the experts, there is no immediate need to worry. It doesn't mean it will make you very sick right away. "Most bacteria are harmless and not that different from other bacteria in the home or left on the skin," says Amesh Adalja, infectious disease physician at the John Hopkins Center for Health Security.