You may want to rethink where you put that smartphone or how you clean your dishes. A surprising number of everyday objects harbor more bacteria than your toilet seat. Here are five that might shock you:

Your Smartphone

It's your constant companion, but did you know it's also a bacterial hotbed? A study from the University of Arizona found that cell phones carry ten times more bacteria than most toilet seats. Disinfect your phone regularly to keep germs at bay.

Kitchen Sponges

Keeping your dishes clean might mean getting your hands dirty. Research shows that kitchen sponges can harbor over 362 different types of bacteria per square inch. Consider microwaving your sponge regularly to kill off bacteria, or replacing it frequently.

Computer Keyboards

Your fingers fly over the keys, but what's lurking beneath them? Keyboards can host up to 400 times more bacteria than a toilet seat, according to another study from the University of Arizona. Keep shared keyboards clean with regular disinfection.

Shopping Cart Handles

A casual trip to the grocery store could expose you to more germs than a visit to a public restroom. Research discovered that shopping cart handles often have more bacteria than public bathrooms. Make use of those disinfectant wipes offered at store entrances.

Your Own Purse

Handbags go everywhere with us, picking up bacteria along the way. A study from Initial Washroom Hygiene found that the outside of women's handbags often harbor more bacteria than the average toilet seat. Keep your purse off the floor whenever possible, and consider cleaning it with antibacterial wipes.

Regular hand washing and disinfection of these everyday items can help reduce your exposure to harmful bacteria. Stay safe, stay clean, and remember: just because it looks spotless doesn't mean it's germ-free!