We all have that weird habit of taking our phone into the toilet. However, did you know that in this way you’re exposing yourself and others to E.Coli, salmonella, and other dangerous germs?

Dr. Lisa Ackerley is a hygiene expert who explains that wiping your private parts after using the bathroom and then immediately picking up your phone, means transfer of the bacteria from your hands to your phone.

So, washing your hands after doing this is practically pointless, since as soon as you touch your phone – which we know it’ll be soon, the bacteria will get back on your hands.

So, what is the right thing to do?

The director of Biomedical Science Degree Programmes, DMS at Queen Mary University of London, Dr. Ron Cutler, gives a simple yet important advice. He says if you like to prevent transfer of fecal contamination and viruses, you better not take your phone into the toilet.

According to him, the contamination level depends a lot on the location of the toilet. If it’s in a small office, there shouldn’t be any serious problem, but if it’s in cruise ship or hospital where viruses may be circulating, the risk is drastically higher.

Although the most common way of transferring viruses is by hands, it’s not the only one. Dr. Ackerley explains that spray is able to travel around 6 feet from the flush, so keep your toothbrush away from the toilet. Also, make sure you don’t put your phone on any shelf or toilet roll holder near the toilet.

Germs can even survive on your phone for days! Phones are nice warm environment for bacteria as they heat up a bit. What’s more, they will become even more bacteria-friendly area if you leave a sticky coating on your phone when handling some sweets. That’s why you should always wash your hands with water and soap, and leave your phone in your pocket or bag before going to the toilet.

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