If someone asked you to name the dirtiest item in your house, would you say your toilet seat? Many people assume toilets are the biggest germ hotspots, but you may be surprised to learn they aren’t the worst offenders.
Household items with more bacteria than your toilet seat
Even though toilet seats come into contact with germs, they are cleaned more often—and more thoroughly—than many other household surfaces. As a result, they often have fewer bacteria than everyday items like:
- Cellphones
- Hand towels
- Computer keyboards
- Doorknobs
- Kitchen cutting boards
For perspective, a toilet seat has about 50 bacteria per square inch, whereas a kitchen sponge has a staggering 10 million bacteria per square inch. That means your sponge is 200,000 times dirtier than your toilet seat!
What germs live on toilet seats?
Even though toilet seats aren’t the dirtiest place in your home, they can still harbor a variety of bacteria and viruses, including:
- Fecal bacteria
- Influenza
- Streptococcus
- E. coli
- Hepatitis
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- Salmonella
- Shigella
- Norovirus
How do germs from toilets spread?
Most germs associated with toilet seats are transmitted through the fecal-oral route. This means that bacteria and viruses don’t spread just by sitting on a toilet seat—they require direct contact, such as touching your face or mouth with unwashed hands.
If your hands are clean and germ-free, you significantly reduce your risk of getting sick from bathroom bacteria.
Five ways to prevent getting sick from a toilet seat
To keep your bathroom trips as hygienic as possible, follow these five steps:
- Flush with the lid closed. This prevents germs from spreading through toilet plume (airborne particles that disperse when you flush).
- Clean with at least 10% bleach. Disinfecting regularly helps eliminate lingering bacteria.
- Routinely clean high-touch household surfaces. Don’t forget your phone, doorknobs and countertops.
- Wash your hands after using the restroom. Avoid touching your face until your hands are clean.
- Keep your fingers out of your mouth. This reduces the risk of ingesting harmful germs.
When to see a doctor
If you experience frequent infections, stomach issues or other health concerns related to germs, a doctor can help determine the cause and recommend treatment. Many Banner Health facilities have specialists in infectious diseases who can provide expert care.
Recommended reading
- Watch Out for These 5 Food Trends That Could Make You Sick
- 10 House Cleaning Safety Tips to Keep Your Home Fresh and Family Safe
- Handwashing 101: Why Clean Hands Save Lives
Content in this article was updated on February 11, 2025.
