Germs, Bacteria and Handbags, Oh My

Who wants to carry a handbag filled with bacteria, virus and germs?

I can’t think of one woman who suspects that their everyday handbag is possibly covered with fecal matter, E Coli and diarrhea causing microbes. Because everywhere a woman travels her purse is sure to follow, memorize my 5 ways to keep your favorite handbag bacteria free, so you won’t get sick.

Two handbag bacteria reports administered by microbiologists, Chuck Gerba for ABC News and Amy Karren for CBS found high amounts bacteria on women’s handbags.

Here's a re-cap of both of their findings after testing 22 handbags:

Bacteria thrive in handbags made with natural fibers

Cloth bags carry more dirt than vinyl or leather bags. The cloth surface has a tendency to grab not only dirt and grime, but bacteria and viruses as well.

Moms have dirtier, bacteria-filled handbags than single ladies

Mommies with kiddies have a higher incident of bacteria and germs than those women without. I imagine that all the diapers, runny noses, sippy cups and pacifiers are germ magnets.

The bottom of handbags carry the most bacteria

According to the article,  Gerba found about 500,000 counts of bacteria on the bottom of one woman's bag that she carried for an entire year.

Half of the bags tested in Gerba's study had large amounts of bacteria, animal and human waste.

Handbag waste not, we want not. Vigorous hand washing and  proper disposal of cat and dog waste, could eliminate the bacteria. But I suspect that the majority of human poop particles come from the floor of the bathroom stall.

So how do we keep our handbags, bacteria free?

1) Clean your handbag with disinfectant regularly. Wipe off your bag with a mild detergent, especially the bottom of your bag. If you're a germ-a-phobe, like me, Clorox bleach wipes work fabulously.

2) Remember, handbags, bacteria and food don't mix. Keep handbags off kitchen countertops, restaurant and dinner tables and away from general eating and cooking environments.

3) Keep your handbag off the floor, in public places. The public bathroom stall, movie theater floor or other public area are not proper receptacles or resting places for your handbag.

4) Old makeup and unwrapped food should be discarded and never placed in your handbag. Those old tubes of mascara and lip gloss provide the perfect environment for bacteria to grow. Similarly, your handbag isn't the best place to store any unwrapped food. Even that sandwich, wrapped in paper, can find unsuspecting bacteria to keep it company.

5) Handle everyday items with care, before you drop them into your favorite bag. Mobile phones, newspapers and money all carry germs, so handle with care.

Give your handbag the white glove treatment it deserves. Keep the bacteria far away from your handbag with a little disinfectant, a whole lot of love and a few sprinkles of common sense.

Mechele Pellebon reports on fashionable finds, designer bag trends and deals for the modern wardrobe. Follow Mechele on Twitter and join her network of friends on Myspace and Facebook.

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