VIRTUALLY every childhood bedroom has at least one of them.
But did you know that your childhoodteddy could be harbouring twice as much bacteria as your toilet seat?
Not only that, but it could have as much as 650% more germs than a bin lid.
Meanwhile, new research has also shown that your favourite comfort blanket could be almost twice as dirty as the average toilet seat, and 6.5 times dirtier than the average bin.
The team at MattressNextDay swabbed blankets and teddies for an ATP bioluminescence test, which measures the amount of adenosine triphosphate — a molecule found in and around living cells — on a particular surface.
This level can be used to indicate how clean, or how dirty, an item is.
Two fifths, or 43%, of the blankets swabbed, and almost three in ten, 29%, of the teddies swabbed came up with readings of over 1000 units – an average of 1,629 for blankets and 1,910 for teddy bears.
They also swabbed the inside of a bin lid and a toilet seat to provide a comparison.
Dr. Snieguole Geige, Medical Doctor at the It’s Me And You Clinic, commented on the findings: “I cannot overstate the hidden dangers of neglecting to wash blankets and teddy bears.
“These seemingly innocent items are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria, fungi, and allergens.
“The recent bioluminescence test results showing high RLU (Relative Light Units) levels on swabbed teddy bears and blankets reveal a concerning truth that these items can accumulate a shocking amount of microbial contamination that often goes unnoticed.”
The most common culprits are bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli, and the pathogens “thrive in warm, humid environments exactly the conditions teddy bears and blankets create”.
“In children, whose immune systems are still developing, I warn that the risks are even more pronounced,” Dr Geige continued.
“Repeated exposure to these microbes can lead to frequent infections, respiratory issues, or skin conditions, all of which could be easily prevented with regular cleaning.
“We’re not just dealing with dirt.
“We’re dealing with hidden health hazards that pose a real risk especially in homes with young children or individuals with compromised immune systems.
“Cleaning these items should be a priority to safeguard health and wellbeing.”;
In order to get rid of this bacteria, and any mites, you should wash stuffed toys and blankets at least once a month at a minimum temperate of 60°C.
Dirtiest Items In Your Home You’re Probably Forgetting To Clean
Research shows people are exposed to an average of 60,000 types of germs on a daily basis.
Cleaning expert and Product Development Scientist at Astonish, Olivia Young, reveals the dirtiest items in your home and how to clean them.
Kitchen sponges or cloths
Some of the items we use to clean surfaces are actually the dirtiest. From wiping down worktops, to cleaning dishes, kitchen sponges or clothes are used multiple times throughout the day. And when doing so, it’s usually wet and warm, meaning if it’s not cleaned properly, it can be a prime spot for bacteria to grow.
As a general rule of thumb, if you’ve used your sponge for around two weeks – it’s time to replace it.
Shoes
Shoes are without a doubt an item in your home that is full of bacteria. A study suggested a single shoe sole has an average of 421,000 units of bacteria, but there’s no need to panic.
Most of these germs that gather on shoes won’t come into contact with other areas of your house, assuming that you take them off as you enter or put them in a box in your wardrobe.
Pet bowls and toys
Pet bowls have actually been found to be the third most contaminated item in households, meaning they are a breeding ground for germs and bacteria that could make you and your pet unwell.
Give them a wash with warm soapy water after each use to keep bacteria at bay. For toys, if they’re plastic you can soak them in warm water with either disinfectant or soap, soft toys can be cleaned thoroughly in a washing machine on a gentle cycle.
Toothbrush holder
Your toothbrush holder is probably not something you’ve considered to be dirty – but there’s more germs in the container that holds your toothbrush, than the taps on your sink.
Clean your toothbrush holder at least once or twice a week.
However, if you use the blanket in bed every night, it should be washed more frequently.
Always remember to check the care label before washing.
