Gross: Common Practices That Might Be More Unhygienic Than You Think

I used to be an extreme germaphobe. Now I’m just germaphobe-light—and still, some of these things give me the creeps.

If you’re not in the mood to change your lifestyle, go ahead and stop reading now. Because we’re about to talk about things that are seriously unhygienic, even if you’ve never really thought about them that way.

We’ve covered some of these before. For instance, pepper shakers at restaurants are basically petri dishes—they rarely get cleaned since they don’t need to be refilled often. And how about those lemons and limes in your drink? Think the bartender's wearing gloves when they grab 'em? Yeah… no.

A recent Reddit thread asked:

“What’s something extremely unhygienic that people do anyway?”

We took the best answers—and added a few homegrown Texas-style observations of our own.

Everyday Things You Do That Are Way Grosser Than You Think

Setting a Tortilla on Top of the Package
You don’t know where that plastic bag has been. Grocery carts, shelves, the tailgate of your truck—don’t make it the serving plate.

Pulling Off Your Boots, Then Touching Everything
Your hand just touched the sole that’s stepped through restrooms, barns, and gas stations. Wash up before you pet the dog or grab that slice of pizza.

Plopping Your Suitcase on the Hotel Bed
Those suitcase wheels have been through every nasty spot in every airport and bathroom along the way. Now they’re on your clean sheets. Yikes.

Eating While Bowling
Finger in ball, grab nachos, repeat. If you’re not at least using a napkin, you're eating your own hand sweat—and everybody else’s.

Digging Into a Shared Chip Bag
One hand in, another out. It’s like a potluck of palm germs. Pour some in your own bowl like a civilized human.

Rolling Around on Gym Mats
They’re covered in sweat, skin cells, and whatever someone’s shoes tracked in. And no, gym mats don’t get sanitized nearly enough.

Ice Machines
They’re cold, so they must be clean, right? Nope. Most rarely get fully emptied and scrubbed. Bacteria love to chill there, literally.

Everything You Touch at a Carnival
That ride harness? That funnel cake table? That game buzzer? Wipe down or wash up. Carnivals are fun but filthy.

Toothbrush Near a Toilet
If you’re storing your toothbrush out in the open near a toilet—especially one without a lid—you’re basically brushing with what’s in the air every time someone flushes.

Read More: Texas Ranks Eighth In Worst Quality Of Life Survey

Final Thought: A Little Clean Goes a Long Way

You don’t need to wrap yourself in plastic wrap or start wearing gloves 24/7. But being a little more mindful about what you touch—and where it’s been—can go a long way. Especially here in Texas, where we like our brisket messy, our boots muddy, and our tortillas fresh.

Ain’t nothing wrong with living large—just maybe wash your hands first.