The Dirty Truth About Surfaces We Overlook
- The Beekeeper
- Jan 27
- 4 min read
We live in a world filled with shared spaces and common surfaces. While these conveniences make our lives easier, they also increase our exposure to germs, bacteria, and viruses. Although we can’t avoid every germ we encounter, minimizing contact with certain high-touch surfaces can reduce the risk of illness and keep you feeling your best. Here are some everyday surfaces you should think twice about touching—and tips for protecting yourself when avoidance isn’t an option.
1. Public Restroom Door Handles
Public restrooms are hotspots for germs, and door handles are some of the dirtiest surfaces you’ll encounter. While you may wash your hands thoroughly after using the restroom, touching the handle can undo your efforts. Countless people touch the same handle, often without washing their hands first, making it a prime location for bacteria and viruses.
How to Stay Safe:
Use a paper towel or tissue to open the door after washing your hands.
If no barrier is available, use hand sanitizer immediately after exiting.
Push doors open with your elbow or hip if possible.
2. ATM and Payment Keypads
Whether at the ATM or a self-checkout machine, keypads are touched by hundreds or thousands of people daily. These surfaces can harbor pathogens, including cold and flu viruses, due to the high frequency of contact.
How to Stay Safe:
Use a stylus or the corner of a credit card to press buttons instead of your fingers.
Carry disinfectant wipes to clean the keypad before use.
Wash or sanitize your hands immediately after completing your transaction.
3. Grocery Store Cart Handles
Shopping carts are a breeding ground for germs. Research has shown that cart handles often carry more bacteria than many public restrooms. With people sneezing, coughing, or handling raw food items, these surfaces can easily become contaminated.
How to Stay Safe:
Use disinfectant wipes (often provided at the store entrance) to clean the cart handle before use.
Avoid touching your face while shopping.
Wash your hands or use sanitizer after leaving the store.
4. Elevator Buttons
Elevators are unavoidable in many settings, but their buttons are touched by countless hands each day. Given their small size and high usage, cleaning crews often overlook them during routine sanitation.
How to Stay Safe:
Press buttons with your knuckle instead of your fingertip.
Use a tissue or disposable glove if you’re especially concerned.
Wash your hands as soon as you reach your destination.
5. Gas Pump Handles
Gas stations see a constant flow of customers, but gas pump handles are rarely cleaned. These handles are frequently touched by individuals who may have just eaten, sneezed, or coughed without washing their hands.
How to Stay Safe:
Keep disposable gloves in your car to use while pumping gas.
Use a paper towel or disinfectant wipe to handle the pump.
Sanitize your hands after fueling up.
6. Handrails and Stair Banisters Are Dirty!
Handrails are designed to provide safety and stability, but they can also transfer germs. From public transit systems to office buildings, these surfaces are touched by people throughout the day.
How to Stay Safe:
Avoid touching handrails unless absolutely necessary.
If you need to use a handrail, avoid touching your face until you can wash or sanitize your hands.
Use the back of your hand or wrist to minimize contact.
7. Shared Pens and Office Supplies
From signing receipts at a store to using communal office supplies, shared items are easy to overlook as germ carriers. However, pens, staplers, and scissors can all harbor bacteria and viruses, especially during cold and flu season.
How to Stay Safe:
Carry your own pen to avoid using shared ones.
Clean communal office supplies with disinfectant wipes before use.
Wash your hands regularly, especially after touching shared items.
8. Menus at Restaurants
Restaurant menus are handled by numerous patrons and are rarely sanitized between uses. Studies have found that menus often contain germs from food particles, saliva, and more.
How to Stay Safe:
Avoid unnecessary handling of the menu by deciding quickly or using online versions when available.
Use hand sanitizer after placing your order.
Wash your hands before eating, especially if you touched the menu.
9. Touchscreens at Kiosks
Self-service kiosks are becoming increasingly common in fast food restaurants, airports, and retail stores. While convenient, these touchscreens are frequently touched by many people and are often cleaned infrequently.
How to Stay Safe:
Use a stylus or glove to navigate touchscreens when possible.
Avoid touching your face after using a public touchscreen.
Carry hand sanitizer and use it immediately after.
10. Public Chairs and Benches
From waiting areas to park benches, public seating can harbor germs transferred from clothing, bags, or direct contact with hands. While these surfaces may seem low-risk, they can still pose a threat, especially if they’re touched often.
How to Stay Safe:
Avoid placing personal items like bags or jackets on public seating.
Wash your hands after sitting in public areas.
If the seating looks visibly dirty, avoid it entirely.
General Tips for Germ Prevention:
Even with all these precautions, it's impossible to avoid every germ in public spaces. That’s why practicing good hygiene and taking proactive steps to protect yourself are crucial. Here are some general tips:
Wash Your Hands Frequently: Use soap and water, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds, especially after touching high-contact surfaces.
Carry Hand Sanitizer: Look for a sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol for effective germ-killing power.
Avoid Touching Your Face: Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth to reduce the risk of transferring germs.
Boost Your Immune System: Eat a healthy diet, stay hydrated, get regular exercise, and prioritize sleep to help your body fight off potential infections.
Use Disinfectant Wipes: Keep a pack of disinfectant wipes handy to clean surfaces like grocery cart handles, public touchscreens, or gym equipment.
Practice Social Distancing: When possible, maintain distance from others in crowded or high-traffic areas.
While we can’t completely eliminate germs from our lives, we can make informed choices about the surfaces we touch and how we protect ourselves. By being mindful of high-touch areas like door handles, payment keypads, and public seating, you can significantly reduce your exposure to harmful bacteria and viruses. Small actions, such as carrying hand sanitizer or using a tissue as a barrier, can have a big impact on your health and well-being.
Stay vigilant, stay healthy, and remember: A little caution goes a long way in keeping you and your loved ones safe. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
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