7 Ways To Steer Clear of Germs

Germs. They're gross, too-small-to-see microbes that spread infection and disease. And guess what: They're everywhere. But just because these things are all over the place doesn't mean you can't take some action against them. Check out these seven tips to keep germs far, far away from you:

Yuck: Only five percent of people wash their hands the right way after they use the bathroom, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Environmental Health. Lather up ASAP with soap and water for about 20 seconds. And don't forget to take these same precautions after you've handled raw food, sneezed into your hands, or touched anything particularly germy.

READ MORE: Do You Wash Your Hands the Right Way?

When a sink and suds aren't readily available, this is an acceptable backup plan. While it doesn't fully remove all bacteria, alcohol-based formulas can kill enough bacteria to keep your hands clean in a pinch.

Plastic bottles tend to hold onto more bacteria than these hard-shell ones, says Donna Duberg, an assistant professor of Clinical Laboratory Science at Saint Louis University. Once it's empty, clean it using hot, soapy water to remove any germs that might be lingering.

READ MORE: 6 Ways to Have Good Gym Hygiene

Yup—one in six cell phones are contaminated with bacteria that can contain E. coli. Once a week, use an alcohol-free wipe (so that you don't remove special coating that repels oil) to clean every surface of your cell, then dry it with a super-soft cloth, says Charles Gerba, Ph.D., a microbiologist at the University of Arizona.

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Don't freak out, but your entire office can contain approximately 400 times more germs than a toilet seat. And your cubicle is the biggest germ hub, says Gerba. Make it a point to use a disinfectant wipe on every inch of your desk (keyboard, mouse, monitor, table space, etc.) on the regular.

READ MORE: Learn How to Germ-Proof Your Office

Not-so-fun fact: Your beauty routine can be filled with germs. Obviously sharing products is a don't (especially eye products, since your eyes are most susceptible to getting bacteria in them), but you also need to make sure to clean your brushes once a week and your makeup bag once a month. Learn seven sneaky ways bacteria gets into your beauty products and how to avoid spreading those germs.

READ MORE: 7 Sneaky Ways Bacteria Gets Into Your Beauty Products

A handbag can contain more bacteria than the average toilet seat, according to a study from Initial Washroom Hygiene in the U.K. Clean your bag weekly, says Duberg. For leather ones, avoid bleach and alcohol and opt for a disinfectant wipe on the exterior and interior surfaces. Cloth purses can be thrown into the wash using cool water on a delicate cycle.

READ MORE: Your Purse Is as Germy as a Toilet