Are We Sanitising Ourselves Into Vulnerability?

We’ve all seen the ads—antibacterial wipes that kill 99.9% of germs. Soaps promising to scrub away every last microbe, and hand sanitiser that seems to follow us everywhere. It’s clear that cleanliness is no longer just about looking tidy. It’s a crusade against germs, a war we’re waging with endless bottles of disinfectant. But in this push to sanitise every surface, every hand, and every breath of air, are we forgetting something vital? What if all this ‘cleaning’ is actually weakening our immune systems in the long run?

The Hygiene Hypothesis

There’s a concept in immunology called the hygiene hypothesis. In simple terms, it suggests that children who grow up in overly sterile environments—those where they’re wrapped in antibacterial everything and shielded from dirt—may be at a higher risk of developing autoimmune diseases and allergies later in life. The theory is that the immune system needs challenges to develop properly. Exposure to microbes, dirt, and other environmental factors helps our immune systems learn what’s dangerous and what’s harmless. Without this exposure, our bodies might overreact to things that don’t actually pose a threat, like pollen or peanuts.

Now, before you go rolling around in mud and dust, let’s clarify: hygiene is important. I’m not suggesting we abandon soap or start skipping hand-washing after handling raw chicken. But there’s a difference between reasonable cleanliness and sanitising every surface until it gleams with sterility.

The Balance We’ve Lost

In our modern, hyper-clean world, it’s easy to forget that our immune systems evolved in a much messier, more microbial environment. In nature, we were exposed to bacteria, viruses, and parasites constantly—and we learned to live alongside them, not constantly fear them. This exposure helped build resilient immune systems that could handle real threats when they arose.

But today, we’re surrounded by an almost obsessive level of sanitisation. From antibacterial soaps in public restrooms to cleaning sprays for every surface, we’re living in a constant cycle of disinfection. Ironically, this overzealous approach may be making us more vulnerable, not less. Our immune systems are being trained to expect perfection, and they’re failing to develop the flexibility they need to cope with the unpredictable world outside.

A Step Back to Natural Immunity

So, what can we do? It’s not about giving up cleanliness altogether. But maybe we should start letting our bodies do the job they were designed for. Getting a little dirty every now and then isn’t just OK—it might be beneficial. Gardening, hiking, or even letting kids play in the mud can help expose the immune system to the kind of variety it needs to function properly. Eating foods that aren’t completely sterilised (hello, a bit of natural yoghurt with live cultures!) can also support our gut health and overall immunity.

It’s about balance. It’s about recognising that a little exposure to the world around us is a good thing. We don’t need to sanitise every surface or hand to feel safe—we just need to stop treating germs like the enemy. Sometimes, the real threat isn’t the bacteria around us, but the overprotective bubble we’ve created.

So, maybe next time you drop your phone on the floor (or your kids run wild in a pile of leaves), you’ll remember: a little dirt never hurt anyone.