Experts Warn This Bathroom Surface Can Harbor Way More Germs Than You Realize

If you were asked to name the germiest surface in your bathroom, you might say it's the toilet seat, or even the toilet flush lever. And they certainly do contain germs. But there's another surface that harbors a lot more germs than you realize: your bathroom faucet.

"There are a few reasons for this," says Dr. Mike Sevilla, MD, a family physician in Salem, Ohio. "First, germs like wet and damp environments, where germs and bacteria can thrive and grow."

Then, when you go to use the sink, your dirty hands touch the faucet, and "who knows what germs they are bringing with them," he continues. "Finally, when you flush the toilet with the lid up, the droplets from the toilet bowl can fly in the air to touch nearby surfaces, like the faucet."

Bathroom faucet handles are also just high-touch areas, adds Dr. Jonathan Jennings, MD, an internist in New York City and a contributor to LabFinder. Think about how many times you wash your hands a day. And if you're not cleaning and disinfecting this spot frequently, the germs can spread to the sink, countertop and elsewhere.

Your bathroom faucet handles are also likely to harbor different types of bacteria, research suggests. This may seem counterintuitive since your bathroom sink is where you go to keep yourself clean and perform your hygiene rituals, such as washing your hands, doing your skincare routine and brushing your teeth.

But don't panic, Dr. Sevilla says. Even though your bathroom faucet can transmit germs, you can keep yourself (and your family) safe by keeping it as clean as you can.

Here's what to know about the germs lurking on your bathroom faucet, how they may impact your health and how to keep this area clean and disinfected.

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What Kinds of Germs Lurk on Bathroom Faucets?

Residential handbasins (as in, your bathroom sink), can be colonized by potentially harmful organisms, including Pseudomonas, Mycobacteria and Legionella, according to a 2024 study published in Science of the Total Environment.

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"These organisms are associated with diverse medical conditions, including treatment-resistant lung and skin infections," Dr. Jennings says. "The germs not only line the faucets, but they form these slimy colonies that act as protective shields called biofilms."

In some instances, biofilms can protect the germs from disinfectant and cleaning efforts, he says. This is especially important for people with weakened immune systems, such as anyone over 50 or less than six months old, or individuals living with cancer, diabetes or HIV.

"Also consider people who have chronic lung diseases, smoke or use contact lenses may be put at risk by faucet germs," Dr. Jennings adds.

Bacteria, like E. coli or Staph, may be found on your faucet, too, Dr. Sevilla says. "Also, viruses like the common cold virus, influenza, and norovirus can survive on faucet surfaces."

Are These Germs Likely To Make You Sick?

"The short answer is that it depends," Dr. Sevilla says. "For those who are very young, elderly, or have some immunocompromised diagnosis, your risk for getting sick increases."

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Some of the germs could enter an open sore on your fingers or hands, which increases the likelihood of a skin reaction, he adds. If germs from your faucet transfer to your hands and you touch your eyes, nose or mouth, you could potentially infect yourself with a respiratory virus, like a cold or the flu.

If E. coli is living on your faucet, it could potentially cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

However, most healthy people shouldn't worry too much about the germs on their bathroom faucets making them sick, Dr. Jennings says-your immune system will protect you.

How To Minimize Germs on Your Bathroom Faucet

Do two things: clean and disinfect your bathroom faucets.

Many public health organizations recommend cleaning your bathroom faucet, drain and surrounding surfaces once or twice a day, Dr. Jennings says.

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Start by cleaning these areas with warm, soapy water. Then, sanitize it using bleach or a sanitizer wipe, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Also, clean faucet or showerhead aerators when you notice buildup on them, the CDC says.

After you wash your hands, use the clean part of a paper towel to turn off the faucet (or consider a touchless handle the next time you replace it), Dr. Sevilla recommends. And, "remember to close the lid of the toilet to prevent the spread of airborne droplets."

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Sources:

• Dr. Mike Sevilla, MD, a family physician in Salem, Ohio
• Dr. Jonathan Jennings, MD, an internist in New York City and a contributor to LabFinder
• Germiest Items in the Home, NSF
• Bathroom Bacteria & Germs Statistics for 2026, SafeHome.org
• Handwashing basins and healthcare associated infections: Bacterial diversity in biofilms on faucets and drains, Science of the Total Environment
• About E. Coli Infection, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Clean THEN Sanitize: A One-Two Punch to Stop Foodborne Illness in the Kitchen, USDA
• Preventing Waterborne Germs at Home, CDC

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This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 1:25 PM.