IN shock-horror news land, it seems like just about everything has "more germs than a toilet seat" - light switches, remote controls, phones...
That's not necessarily because everything anyone touches ever is super germy, but because toilet seats may not be particularly problematic - the microbes generally go in the toilet, not on the seat.
The latest germier-than-a-toilet-seat thing is teddy bears - these soft, cuddly, bear-shaped petri dishes harbour twice as many bacteria as the average toilet seat, researchers from multidisciplinary retailer MattressNextDay report.
Unsurprisingly, these include Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli - bacteria that can lead to "nasty" infections in children.
The testing team also looked at household rubbish bins (least bacteria) and kiddie blankets (worse than teddy bears).
Dr Snieguole Geige, a UK doctor specialising in aesthetics and media comment, warned parents that it's "not just 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," she reportedly said.
"Cleaning these items should be a priority to safeguard health and well-being."
The best way to clean Biohazard Bear is to place him in a mesh laundry bag or zippered pillowcase, use a delicates machine cycle and line dry.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 15 Apr 25
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