Gloves found to harbour four times more biological matter than a toilet seat

From cycling gloves to woollen mittens, swabbing research by Initial Washroom Hygiene discovers that gloves used to keep hands warm in the winter could harbour FOUR TIMES more biological life than a toilet seat

Keeping our hands toasty warm during colder weather could expose Brits’ hands to potentially high levels of microbial contamination (germs). New research, based on real-world swabbing tests, has found that many gloves exceed what hygiene experts consider to be within the normal* range of biological contamination by up to 58 per cent. Those with the highest readings were found to be harbouring four times more microbial contamination than an average toilet seat**.

The swab tests were conducted using ATP* swabs and an ATP bioluminescence reader to detect levels of biological life not visible to the human eye. The tests were conducted on a variety of gloves including woollen, leather, suede gloves, and also mittens and cycling gloves.

The swabbing analysis found that over half (56 per cent) of all of those tested recorded a reading of over 500 units**, indicating a high level of contamination, with some even exceeding  4,000 units.

Of all the items swabbed, cycling gloves displayed the highest readings (2,486 units average), with woollen gloves second (618 units average), and suede gloves third (603 units average).

Although putting on gloves is a great way to keep hands warm during outdoor activities, glove wearers still need to practice good hand hygiene to help protect themselves from cross contamination.

Jamie Woodhall, UK Technical & Innovations Manager at Initial Washroom Hygiene, commented: “Putting on gloves or mittens is a great way to keep hands warm and dry during outdoor activities. However, it is worth remembering that gloves can encounter many potential contamination points – from holding handles on public transport, and opening doors, to using a phone or carrying bags of shopping. The inside of gloves can also be contaminated if they are put on with unwashed hands. While washing gloves regularly will help to minimise the level of microbial contamination inside and outside of them, my advice is for glove wearers to wash their hands before and after having them on.

“With 80 per cent of infections transmitted through hands, washing your hands regularly remains one of the most powerful tools in preventing the spread of colds and viruses. Gloves, although important in keeping us warm, do not provide a barrier to protect against bacteria and germs. You can’t afford not to wash your hands regularly, even if you have been wearing gloves.”  

Initial Washroom Hygiene recommends:

• The first line of defence in preventing the spread of illnesses is washing your hands thoroughly and often. Remember to use soap, wash for 20-25 seconds, thoroughly rinse and dry your hands with a warm air dryer or paper towel, especially after touching shared surfaces.

• Use hand sanitiser when washing facilities aren’t available.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth and if you do then wash your hands.

• To help reduce the transmission of seasonal illnesses, cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, using a tissue or your elbow — NOT your hands (even when wearing gloves!), as you could contaminate surfaces you touch afterwards.

• Germs can easily transfer from surfaces, touchpoints and shared items onto our hands. Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces or objects that are likely to be touched by multiple hands such as door handles and rails, remote controls and light switches, to reduce the cross contamination risk.

• Dispose of used tissues immediately (REMEMBER – Catch it, Bin it!)

* ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is a molecule found in and around living cells.

About the research:

**Surface samples were taken from the inside and outside of pairs of 50 gloves and mittens in January 2025.

Toilet seat samples taken in 2012 from Initial Washroom Hygiene swabbing study, recorded an average of 220 units.

Samples were taken using sterile surface swabs and a rapid ATP analysis was undertaken on each sample to establish the level of microbial-related contamination on the surface of the items. The units are expressed as Relative Light Units by this method, with a higher ATP reading suggesting a greater level of bacterial contamination. This technique is widely used to assess the cleanliness of surfaces before and after undertaking cleaning in hospitals and other premises.

www.initial.co.uk