There is an old superstition which says that we shouldn't keep our handbags on the floor if we want to have money coming in. But, there is a way better reason to keep your new handbag in your lap during lunch or in your desk drawer at work - germs and other nasties.

According to SixWise, you could be wearing millions of bacteria along with you, on your purse, which could, in the long run, make you sick. The study has shown that all of the purses tested had at least some bacteria on them, most of them having tens of thousands of them present. But the most disgusting thing is:

"We found fecal bacteria you normally find on the floor of a restroom," Gerba said. "We found bacteria that can cause skin infections on the bottom of purses. What's more amazing is the large numbers we find on the bottom of purses, which indicates that they can be picking up a lot of other germs like cold viruses or viruses that cause diarrhea."

Ladies, admit it, how many times did you put your purse on the floor of a cab, the restaurant or even a bathroom?

We all need to take this issue more seriously, and keep our bags where they belong, behind our backs when seated down, hanging from a stool or in our laps. But, also do make sure you wipe it with an anti-bacterial cloth regularly. Also, do get your handbags dry-cleaned, it will not only get rid of millions of bacteria but also lengthen the bag wearable life and keep it looking great.

And, whatever you do, never put your purse on the kitchen table when you come home from work!