Supermarkets are regularly cleaned and maintained, but they still have places that hide surprising dirt and bacteria. Read below which places and items are among the dirtiest in supermarkets and how to protect yourself.
Shopping cart
Shopping carts are full of bacteria – more precisely, the handles of shopping carts, which is not surprising considering that tens, hundreds and thousands of people with different hygiene habits touch them on a daily basis. Microorganisms can stay on those plastic handles for several hours, says Dr. Andrew Lai, an infectious disease specialist. International research has shown that the amount of bacteria on some strollers – on the handles, but also on the front part of the stroller where some parents put their children to sit – is higher than in the average public toilet.
Even if your cart doesn’t look dirty, it’s a good idea to wipe the handle with a disinfectant wipe before using it to shop. There are few stores in our country that offer disinfectant wipes at the entrance, so be sure to bring your own before heading to the store.
Conveyor belt at checkout
It’s fine to wipe down the cart with disinfectant wipes, but the store manager might not like it if you use them to wipe down the checkout conveyor belt. It is a challenge to clean this tape well – it is constantly exposed to impurities, dust, product crumbs, liquids and the like. In order to thoroughly clean the belt, it has to come to a complete stop, which disrupts the operation of the cash register and creates congestion. That is why it is advisable to wash or disinfect your hands well after use.
Self-checkout counters
Lately, most people are using self-checkout registers – these automated systems in stores are there to allow customers to scan and pay for goods without the help of a cashier.
Some global research has shown that the touch screens of these self-checkout systems contain more bacteria than hospitals. That’s why it’s important to wash your hands well or disinfect them in another way after use. The same applies to the POS devices that we use to swipe our cards to pay the bill.
Toilet handle
If there is a toilet with a sink in your supermarket that customers use regularly, there is a good chance that the faucet and the handle of the front door are covered with a lot of bacteria. Even after washing your hands, it would be advisable to close the faucet and open the toilet door with a clean paper towel/toilet paper or tissue.
The simplest way to protect yourself and your family is to wash your hands well immediately after leaving the store, or when you get home.
