It’s back to school time around the country – and that means GERMS.

New research from Clorox found that kids’ backpacks are often the most neglected by parents when it comes to sanitization, and it shows. Here’s the fun truth:  Your kid’s backpack is covered in way more germs than your disgusting cell phone.  So, maybe don’t let them toss it on the dinner table when they get home.

Germs can stop a lot of people in their tracks.  By adopting a germ-prevention strategy, parents can help prevent the spread of illness-causing germs on surfaces. Clorox is teaming up with the world’s most decorated woman in track and field history, gender equality advocate, entrepreneur and mom, Allyson Felix!  Together, they’re helping to educate parents on germ spread in order to help keep households running smoothly for an unstoppable school year ahead!

Survey of U.S. Parents

To uncover the true impact germs can have on us, Clorox conducted a nationwide survey among 1,000 parents of school-aged children:

Millennial parents of color often experience greater impact from illness with 85% reporting that they had to take a sick day or unpaid time off due to a sick child within the last year compared to only 78% of white millennial parents.

42% of millennial parents of color reported feeling nervous about the back-to-school season compared to only 32% of white millennial parents. Moms are more likely to be stressed about back-to-school (38% vs. 24%) while dads are more likely to be happy (67% vs. 39%). More than half of all parents surveyed (54%) are stressed at the thought of their child having to stay home.

Clorox also  swabbed a bunch of things in homes with school-aged kids.  Here are a few stats on the most germ filled things in your home

When your kids get home from school, their clothes are 28 times germier than the average toilet seat.  (In reality, toilet seats aren’t really that germy though, so don’t panic too much.

The average couch  is as germy as a dog’s tennis ball, and twice as germy as the fridge door handle.

Hard surfaces like counters, TV remotes, gaming controllers and fridge handles were roughly 26 times germier than the average bathroom doorknob – which is blech.

Most parents – 69% to be exact – are worried about their kids bringing germs home from school. 54% fully expect their kids to get them sick at some point this school year.

Studies have found that on the average toilet seat there are 50 bacteria per square inch. It’s actually one of the cleanest things you’ll run across in terms of micro-organisms.

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