It’s often considered one of the cleanest places in your home.
But a new study might have you cracking out the cleaning supplies next time you’re in your bathroom.
Scientists from Northeastern University have warned that our showerheads and toothbrushes are ‘teeming’ with viruses.
The researchers found 614 unique viruses living on these bathroom items – including many previously unknown to science.
Lead researcher Dr Erica Hartmann warned: ‘The number of viruses that we found is absolutely wild.’
Researchers say that your bathroom might be a virus hotspot with your toothbrush and showerhead holding onto hundreds of unique viruses (stock image)
While many of us regularly clean our bathrooms with strong chemicals, that doesn’t mean your household is free of microorganisms.
In fact, many areas of the bathroom provide a perfect environment for bacteria and viruses to thrive.
‘Microbes prefer environments with water. And where is there water? Inside our showerheads and on our toothbrushes,’ says Dr Hartmann.
This new study is an offshoot from a research project nicknamed ‘Operation Pottymouth’ which aimed to see if toothbrushes were being contaminated by the spray from flushing toilets.
As part of that research, scientists gathered samples from showerheads and toothbrush bristles all around the US.
By sequencing DNA found in those samples, the researchers discovered hundreds of unique viruses living in the lively microbiome of your bathroom.
Dr Hartmann says: ‘We found many viruses that we know very little about and many others that we have never seen before.
‘It’s amazing how much untapped biodiversity is all around us. And you don’t even have to go far to find it; it’s right under our noses.’
By sequencing the DNA found in samples from bathrooms, researchers found 614 viruses living on your showerhead (blue dots) and toothbrush (red dots). This graph shows the types of bacteria these viruses were associated with
This study is an offshoot of a research program dedicated to seeing if your toothbrush is contaminated by the aerosol particles ejected by flushing toilets
The researchers found that each of our individual showerheads and toothbrushes is home to a stunningly diverse and almost unique ecosystem.
Of the 614 viruses discovered, 314 were only found in a single sample and no two samples were completely alike.
Likewise, Dr Hartmann says that each showerhead and toothbrush is like ‘its own little island’ with very little similarity between the two.
Researchers found no overlap between the 15 most common viruses in showerhead and toothbrush samples.
If you’re worried about the viruses infesting your bathroom there’s no need to break out the bleach just yet since these viruses don’t infect humans.
The researchers say that the water-rich environment of your toothbrush makes a perfect breeding ground for microbes (stock image)
Rather, the viruses collected in this study were all ‘bacteriophages’ – a type of virus which only replicates within bacteria.
In their paper, published in Frontiers in Microbiomes, the researchers say this might explain why the viruses found in toothbrushes and showerheads are so distinct.
While your showerhead is home to bacteria commonly found in soil and drinking water, your toothbrush is covered with species associated with the human biome.
Each of these distinct bacterial communities also has its own unique community of viruses dedicated to destroying them.
In the future, the researchers believe we might even be able to use these viruses to make our homes cleaner.
All of the viruses found were ‘bacteriophages’ (pictured), meaning that they only infect bacteria. The researchers say these could be used to clear out harmful microorganisms from the bathroom
The most common species found were types of mycobacteriophages which infect the pathogenic species which cause leprosy, tuberculosis and chronic lung infections.
Dr Hartmann says: ‘We could envision taking these mycobacteriophage and using them as a way to clean pathogens out of your plumbing system.’
These same viruses could even be the basis of futuristic treatments for antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
Viruses which specifically target disease-causing bacteria could be injected into humans to clear out hard-to-treat infections without causing side effects.
The researchers suggest that our bathrooms might already be hiding many of these potentially lifesaving treatments.
The scientists say that our homes are filled with bacteria and viruses at all times and that trying to kill these with chemicals produces more antibiotic resistance. The researchers say the best strategy is just to ‘embrace’ the fact that there are microbes living in your home
‘We want to look at all the functions these viruses might have and figure out how we can use them,’ says Dr Hartmann.
If you do want to keep your bathroom clean, Dr Hartmann recommends that you regularly soak your showerhead in vinegar to remove the calcium buildup which harbours bacteria.
Alternatively, simply wash the showerhead with soap and water rather than using stronger cleaning chemicals.
You should also avoid buying antimicrobial toothbrushes since these can lead to bacteria developing antibiotic resistance.
Instead, remember to replace your toothbrush head regularly so it never becomes too dirty.
However, the researchers advise that the best way to deal with the microbes living in your bathroom is simply not to worry about them.
Dr Hartmann concludes: ‘Microbes are everywhere, and the vast majority of them will not make us sick.
‘The more you attack them with disinfectants, the more they are likely to develop resistance or become more difficult to treat. We should all just embrace them.’
