You've probably seen those reports about how germy hotel beds can be. But a new study shows something else in a room is likely to be far more contaminated.

Researchers from the University of Houston discovered television remote controls and bedside lamp switches are the germiest surfaces in hotel rooms and contain the highest levels of harmful bacteria.

Also on the list? Toilets and sinks, of course, but also telephones and carpets.

In addition, the germs found on the sponges and mops hotel used by hotel housekeepers use could pose a risk for cross-contamination between rooms.

"The current validation method for hotel room cleanliness is a visual assessment, which has been shown to be ineffective in measuring levels of sanitation," said researcher Katie Kirsch, who hopes her team's findings will help hotels develop more effective ways to target the most contaminated items that could pose a health risk to guests.

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