Wet wipes at the ready? We've got a rude shock for any traveller worried about germs.

Apparently your suitcase could have 58 times more bacteria than a public toilet seat, and there are a few areas in particular that are the grossest offenders.

How the study was conducted

Travel insurance company InsureandGo teamed up with microbiologist Amy-May Pointer to swab-test suitcases at a busy UK airport train station.

Swabs were taken from ten traveller suitcases, plus control surfaces (public toilet seat, flush button, etc). Each swab was then incubated for five days before colony-forming units (CFUs) were measured.

The results

Ready to call in Cluedo? We've got a pretty open and shut case here... The boffins over at InsureandGo found travellers suitcases were carrying hundreds of bacteria colonies - way more than a public toilet seat.

In the wake of this, they urged travellers to follow a few rules to prevent these bacteria going from "invisible phantom menaces" to "the reason you now have black mould growing at the back of your wardrobe."

The worst offender

The study found that suitcase wheels, followed by the suitcase base and the suitcase trolley handle were the germiest parts of your luggage, with colony counts of 400, 350 and 280 respectively. 

What's in a germ?

Your suitcase wheels play host to nearly 58 times more bacteria than a public toilet seat. But what's in that bacteria?

Microbiologist Amy-May Pointer said that among the gross things found were stubborn Bacillus spores and even black moulds that love dust and splash-back.

She also found a lovely bit of staph, with staphylococcus and micrococcus bacteria (which can cause everything from minor boils to antibiotic-resistant infections), also being found on suitcase handles.

What to do about it

Step no. 1? Buy a hard shell suitcase. This is because soft-shell cases can hold extra fungal growth compared with hard-shells as they absorb more moisture.

Step no. 2? Wash your hands before eating lunch while travelling. This will help you avoid the potential staph on your suitcase handle. 

Step no.3? Never put your suitcase on your bed without cleaning it. 

Step no.4? Clean your suitcase handle with a disinfectant wipe of a soapy cloth every now and then, and give your whole suitcase a deep clean periodically ("pop off detachable wheels for a warm-soapy rinse then wipe hard shells with mild bleach," the scientists recommend).

As for fabric luggage, scrub or vacuum it then sprinkle baking soda over it to prevent a mould build up while they are stored at the back of your wardrobe.

Bonus travel hygiene tips

Another bonus travel hygiene tip that not many people know is this: always use the first stall in the airport bathroom. There's an interesting reverse psychology reason for this which is fascinating. 

Another top tip is to always leave your luggage in this part of your hotel room, if you want to minimise your chances of picking up bed bugs. 

Hypochondria satisfied? Now go forth and travel. May the odds (and a good set of wet wipes) be ever in your favour.