Using a public restroom often feels like punishment enough. What's worse? Touching the handle of the toilet or door when you finish.

You'd probably assume that the toilet handle is dirtier than anything else in the bathroom. After all, people touch it right after they do their business.

And sometimes, even when things look clean, they simply aren't. After all, germs are microscopic -- you never know what's lurking on those seemingly clean surfaces.

There are so many surfaces to consider in a public restroom. When you think about it (and you shouldn't) e ven the sink handle could have some pretty gross germs on it.

It's enough to make anyone shed a few tears. That's why we think it's best not to dwell on the germs -- it can only make you a little bit nuts.

But what researchers revealed recently is especially troubling. The hand dryers in restrooms had six times more bacteria on them than the paper towel dispensers.

We like to think that the paper towel dispensers are the better choice. Obviously, there is less waste to dispose of with hand dryers than with paper towel dispensers.

Then again, the germs might not be worth it. These statistics are enough to make us wish every bathroom had paper towels instead.

Jet-air dryers were actually the worst culprits. Those had 27 times more bacteria on them than paper towel dispensers -- and how many times have you used one of these?

You could also just avoid the situation entirely. Though a lot of the time, that's simply not an option.

It's definitely disgusting, but isn't it better to know? When you know where germs are lurking, you can go out of your way to avoid those spots

Speaking of human filth, what are some of the other dirtiest places on airplanes and airports? The answer to that question might surprise you.

You probably guessed the bathroom, right? But bathroom stall locks were only the sixth dirtiest places in airports and airplanes. The study showed that in terms of colony-forming units (CFU). Bathroom stall locks had 70 CFU per square inch.

CFU? More like OMFG. Seatbelt buckles came in at number five. They had 230 CFU per square inch, due to the fact that they're touched regularly but often not cleaned.

Then there's the matter of that pesky flush button or handle. Bathroom flush buttons were only slightly dirtier than seatbelt buckles. There were 265 CFU per square inch.

And who'd have thought this would be so dirty? The overhead air vents were very high on the list, coming in at number three. They had 285 CFU per square inch. No, we didn't need that air conditioning after all.

The drinking fountain stats are pretty terrifying. Drinking fountain buttons in the airport were number two on the list, at 1,240 CFU per square inch. Troubling to think those numbers are so close to our mouths, huh?

And what's number one? Prepare to feel like you need a shower: The tray table in front of the seats is the dirtiest place of all, at 2,155 CFU per square inch.

God only knows why its so high. And frankly, we don't want to know.

Hopefully, these numbers will inspire airlines to give their tray tables a little more TLC when it comes to cleaning. And we don't know about you, but we're bringing sanitizing wipes with us the next time we fly. There are a lot of annoying things that can happen to you on a plane, but the germs can really get you.