Handbags may have more germs than average toilet flush

Not many women may wash their hands after putting them inside their bag, but researchers have suggested that they perhaps should.

Researchers with the hygiene and washroom services company Initial Washroom Hygiene swabbed handbags to find the dirtiest parts.

They found that 20 percent of handbags that they swabbed had higher levels of bacteria-related contamination, which could potentially cross-contaminate other surfaces - and contained more germs than the average toilet flush, CBS New reported.

The research also found that face or hand cream were most-bacteria ridden items inside the bag, followed by lipstick and mascara.

One item that could be the reason behind spreading of bacteria in the purse is none other than the cell phone.

According to the study, leather purses were likely to contain the most bacteria, as the spongy material makes it a perfect breeding ground.