Over the years, I've grown increasingly squeamish about touching objects and surfaces that have been touched by who knows how many other people -- whose hands I have no way of knowing are clean. So when those portable anti-bacterial wipes hit the market, I breathed a huge sigh of relief -- and started toting them wherever I went. But a few days ago, I came across an article that made me think twice about how I've been using them.

According to a study conducted at Cardiff University, while these antibacterial wipes can remove bacteria from surfaces, they aren't actually able to kill it. And when you wipe a surface more than once, or use the same wipe on another surface, you simply spread any bacteria you've picked up, rather than eliminating it.

I know I'm guilty of both things. Not to mention the fact that I often forget to toss a wipe after I've used it, and can end up carrying it with me for hours. While the study didn't mention this scenario specifically, I would imagine that the bacteria on the wipe then get transferred to my hand, pocket, purse, or wherever I wind up absentmindedly stuffing it.

The Cardiff researchers found that using one wipe per surface and swiping the surface just one time helps cut way down on this cross-contamination. And throwing it away immediately after use is also a good idea.

It may mean using more wipes, but if it also means cutting down on the risk of colds, flu, and other even more serious infections, it's well worth it.

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