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We have the internet to thank for many things this week; Kim Kardashian’s shiny posterior, expensive celebrity-endorsed gift guides and now towel phobia.
Thanks internet, thanks a lot.
A study has revealed the most germ-ridden object in our homes is not the toilet seat, nor the wooden chopping board, but the humble towel.
But I guess it’s best we know this now. Knowledge equals power, right?
The University of Arizona found that, wait, – you’re not eating right now are you? If so, you might want to drop the sandwich or skip over the next paragraph.
Here’s how fast germs go from the toilet to your desk to your mouth.
Ok, ready? The study found that coliform bacteria was present in 89 per cent of the kitchen tea towels tested. Coliform’s claim to fame? It’s the type of bacteria present in faeces, which can lead to food poisoning and diarrhea. So you’re basically drying your dishes with sh…
The problem appears to be because you tend to wipe up spills and mess with a tea towel, but then use that same tea towel to dry your hands or the dishes.
“You can cross contaminate food when you wipe your hands on a towel and then contaminate other foods or bring your hands to your mouth and infect yourself,” said the author of the study.