Towels in kitchen, bathroom most germ infested places in homes

A new study has revealed that towels in kitchen and bathroom are the most germ infested places in homes.

A May 2014 University of Arizona study funded by Kimberly-Clark Corporation found that 89 percent of kitchen rags carried coliform bacteria, which is found in both animal and human digestive tracts. Twenty-five percent of the towels tested positive for E. coli., ABC News reported.

Charles Gerba, a professor in the Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science at the University of Arizona, said that the towels are more likely to be bacteria-ridden than other household items because they are used to wipe hands and surfaces that might have been contaminated by raw meat products.

Towels also tend to retain moisture for long periods of time, allowing the bacteria to survive, he further added.

However, few tips can be used to prevent these germs from spreading like washing and replacing all the towels at least every three or four days; paper towels could be used to clean areas where food has been prepared and to wipe the hands; vinegar could be used in place of fabric softener to strip away odors and keep towels absorbent.