As flu season comes closer, many people begin to have symptoms of a runny nose, sore throat, cough, and fever, but a cold or the flu may not always be the cause. Many objects people use everyday, such as cell phones, handbags, and coffee makers, are home to thousands of potentially harmful bacteria and other germs.

Most people know that germs are commonly spread by hands, and some of the germiest household things people use every day may not be so surprising. A study showed that cell phones contain on average 25,000 germs per square inch, making them by far germier than a toilet, which tested with 1201 per square inch. Cell phones are usually warm and have small crevices, which provide the perfect environment for many types of germs to grow. They are used and touched frequently throughout every day, and are set down on many different surfaces, spreading germs between hands, phone, and mouth. Many cell phones are home to various types of bacteria.

Similar to cell phones, purses and bags are also some of the germiest things people use every day, as they are set down on any nearby surface or on the ground, are touched frequently, and are rarely washed. The objects held inside are most likely in the same condition, spreading germs around. Handbags commonly harvest bacteria, much of it collected from being set down on various germy places, such as the bathroom floor.

Microbiologist Charles Gerba said that “about a third of [handbags] have fecal bacteria on them.”

There are ways to try to limit the amount of bacteria and other germs on bags, phones, and other frequently touched objects. These would include washing them or cleaning with an antibacterial wipe, avoiding setting them on the ground, and washing hands frequently.

“I always use disinfecting wipes,” said sophomore Aerial Mitchell.

Some of the germiest places may not be the most obvious though, as those that are touched frequently.

Many types of makeup can be home to potentially harmful bacteria, most likely when used past the expiration date.  In a study performed by  the International Journal of Cosmetic Science, forty women’s mascara were tested for bacteria and other germs, revealing that 79% were harboring staph bacteria. It was concluded that the dark, moist environment inside the mascara tube provided the perfect home for the bacteria. About 86% of the woman in the study said that they were using the mascara past it’s three month expiration date.

“It’s shocking,” said sophomore Polina Zhitskay, “because I use mascara sometimes, and my mom uses it.”

Another commonly germ-infested place is beds. Many high schoolers don’t change their bed sheets the recommended once a week. A combination of sweat, skin oils, shedding skin cells, and drool make beds a perfect home for dust mites, mildew, mold, and other allergy causing germs. The average mattress contains over 10,000 dustmites.

“Bacteria and dust mites are in a lot of places,” said freshman Daniel Gronberg. “As long as you keep it clean, you should be fine.”

Coffee makers are also a common place for hiding bacteria, among the residue from the coffee grounds. Donna Duberg, M.A., M.S., an assistant professor of clinical laboratory science at Saint Louis University, said that “Bacteria forms a slick biofilm when grown in moist, dark places, and so do molds … if there is obvious slimy stuff in the coffee maker … this is a good sign there is something growing.” The coffee maker doesn’t get hot enough to kill the germs either, and some of it mixes in with the coffee, to be consumed by the oblivious person drinking it.

While in large amounts germs can cause illnesses, allergies, infections, and in some cases death, people need germs in order to survive. Humans have tons of necessary germs living inside their bodies, such as E. coli in the intestines to aid in digesting food. People also need to be exposed to the germs that can cause sickness, in order to build up an immunity to protect themselves against it. A study was conducted that revealed that people who use chemicals and focus more on staying clean are sicker than those who more often are exposed to the germs.

“Well, that’s just the way the world is,” said Mitchell. “Not all bacteria is bad.”