Experts have issued a warning to office employees as areas of their workplace could have as much as 30 times more bacteria than a toilet seat.
With UK sickness at its highest in a decade - costing £27bn a year - according to ONS figures, office hygiene has never been more important. With that in mind, the team at Furniture At Work have set out to find the grimiest spots.
According to the experts, door handles can have 30 times more bacteria than a toilet seat if they aren't cleaned regularly and thoroughly. They are one of the most neglected areas, as well as one of the most used by different people multiple times a day.
They said: "Cleaning professionals suggest they should be cleaned and disinfected at least twice a week, using a spray disinfectant or disinfectant wipes.
"To be on the safe side at work, try and remember to sanitise or wash your hands after using a door handle."
And once you're in the office things don't get much better, with the work chair harbouring 10 times more bacteria than a toilet seat and the kettle having 13 times more.
"Like other kitchen appliances, the kettle needs regular cleaning to ensure it’s in a great condition for employees to use throughout the day," the experts said. "Cleaning professionals recommend routine cleaning after each use, and a process called descaling once a month.
"This involves removing the build-up of limescale in the base of the kettle."
The experts also say that your keyboard can have a hefty amount of bacteria - eight times more than a toilet seat.
"The keyboard is a hotspot for bacteria, dirt and food, and needs cleaning regularly for health and safety," they warn. "Cleaning professionals suggest cleaning your keyboard once a week with a damp microfibre cloth."
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