Imagine you're away from home but forgot to pack your towel, razor or toothbrush. Should you use other people's? Here's why it's probably best not to make a habit of it. Microbes can stay active for a while Many disease-causing bacteria, viruses or fungi live on cloth, plastic and metal objects in your bathroom. These so-called pathogenic microbes can remain viable on these surfaces for extended periods. That is, they're able to cause infection for days, months or years. For example , the