19 Gross Facts About Everyday Life You Wish You Didn’t Know
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Here’s a list of somewhat unsettling facts about everyday life. Some of these might be a bit gross, so consider yourself warned! Remember, while these are based on general information, exact figures can vary.
Our daily lives are full of little surprises, but some facts about our everyday routines might make you squirm. From the tiny creatures living on our skin to the hidden gunk in our homes, there’s a lot going on that we don’t usually think about. Here are some eye-opening (and sometimes stomach-turning) facts about the world around us.
Mattress Weight Gain
The average mattress doubles in weight over 10 years due to accumulated dead skin cells, dust mites, and their droppings. That’s about 10 pounds of yucky build-up! This hidden weight gain happens slowly but surely as we sleep night after night.
Toothbrush Bacteria
Your toothbrush is likely home to more than 100 million bacteria, including E. coli and staphylococci. Every time you brush, you’re introducing these microbes into your mouth. Rinsing your brush and storing it upright can help reduce this bacterial load.
Kitchen Sponge Germs
The kitchen sponge is often the dirtiest item in your house, harboring about 10 million bacteria per square inch. That’s 200,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat! Microwaving your sponge can help kill some of these germs, but replacing it regularly is best.
Belly Button Bacteria
The average belly button contains about 67 different species of bacteria. Some people’s navels have hosted bacteria that have never been found anywhere else on Earth! This tiny body part is like a whole ecosystem of its own.
Dust Mite Feces
About 80% of the dust in your home is made up of dead skin cells. Dust mites feed on this skin and produce about 20 droppings per day, each containing a protein that can trigger allergic reactions. You’re breathing in and touching these microscopic feces every day.
Sweat In Your Bed
The average person sweats out about 26 gallons of sweat per year while sleeping. That’s enough to fill a small kiddie pool! This sweat soaks into your mattress and pillows night after night, creating a damp environment perfect for dust mites.
Fecal Matter On Phones
About 1 in 6 cell phones has fecal matter on it. People often use their phones in the bathroom and don’t wash their hands properly afterward. Every time you check your messages, you might be touching traces of poop.
Eyelash Mites
Tiny mites called Demodex live in the follicles of your eyelashes. Almost everyone has them, and they come out at night to mate and lay eggs. These microscopic creatures are feasting on your skin oils while you sleep.
Restaurant Ice Machines
Ice from restaurant ice machines often contains more bacteria than toilet water. The machines are rarely cleaned thoroughly, allowing bacteria to grow. Your refreshing drink might come with an unwanted side of germs.
Fecal Particles From Flushing
When you flush the toilet with the lid up, it creates an aerosol effect that sprays tiny water droplets containing bacteria and viruses up to 6 feet away. These particles can land on nearby surfaces, including your toothbrush if it’s close by.
Keyboard Grime
The average office keyboard has 400 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. People often eat at their desks and rarely clean their keyboards, creating a perfect breeding ground for germs. Every keystroke could be touching a mini bacterial colony.
Bathtub Bacteria
A plastic bath toy can harbor 9.5 million bacteria per square centimeter. The warm, moist environment of the bathtub is perfect for bacterial growth. Your rubber ducky might be dirtier than the water you’re bathing in!
Bug Proximity
You’re never more than 8 feet away from a spider when indoors. While most house spiders are harmless, it’s unsettling to think about how close these eight-legged creatures always are. They’re watching you, even if you can’t see them.
Pillowcase Weight
After two years of use, about 10% of your pillow’s weight is made up of dead dust mites and their droppings. You’re resting your head on a mini graveyard of microscopic creatures every night. It might be time for a new pillow!
Public Toilet Seat Germs
The average toilet seat has 50 bacteria per square inch. While that might sound like a lot, it’s actually cleaner than many other surfaces you touch daily. Your own smartphone likely has more germs than a public toilet seat.
Shoe Bacteria
The average shoe sole contains 421,000 bacteria, including E. coli and meningitis. Every step you take brings these germs into your home. Maybe it’s time to start a “no shoes indoors” policy!
Beard Bacteria
Some men’s beards contain more fecal bacteria than a toilet. Touching your beard and then your face can transfer these germs. That impressive facial hair might be hiding an impressive colony of bacteria.
Refillable Water Bottle Germs
Reusable water bottles can harbor 300,000 colony-forming units of bacteria per square centimeter. That’s more than the average toilet seat! Not washing your bottle regularly can turn it into a portable petri dish.
Washing Machine Bacteria
Your washing machine can contain 100 million E. coli bacteria at any given time. Washing underwear with other clothes can spread these germs. Running an empty hot water cycle with bleach can help keep your machine cleaner.
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