I work in a relatively small office, about seven people in a room, and lately we've been swapping microbes just by proximity. We need something that would attract microbes floating in the air, to which the microbes would STICK - then we could just throw it away.

Alternatively, this could be a great scam for a late-night infomercial.
-- smendler, Oct 31 2012

I think you're going to have better luck with the scam.

A HEPA or better ULPA air filter is your best bet, but those are fairly widely known to exist.
-- MechE, Oct 31 2012


That thing that microbes stick to is you. But instead of throwing away, try a shower. It is that thing where the water flows over you then carries the microbes directly down the drain. You can loosen them up with soap.
-- bungston, Oct 31 2012


I've also had satisfactory results with supplementary hand/face cleansing throughout the day. I know it sounds strange, but trust me, it works.
-- Alterother, Oct 31 2012


I've found that the best defense is to never wash your hands, touch your face a lot, eat only partially cooked ground beef, and spend time around animals and other sick people. A strong immune system is better than tiptoeing around germs, IMO.
-- DIYMatt, Oct 31 2012


I was gonna fishbone this. (I was recalling the last time I walked into a fly strip accidentally and thinking the only thing worse would be walking into a sticky mess and giving myself the bird flu).

Then I thought: Hey! this would catch flies as well as germs. Two things at once! Add some antibacterial glue, and you might be on to something. I'll reserve judgement.
-- ShawnBob, Oct 31 2012


//We need something that would attract microbes floating in the air//

And they will swarm towards it how exactly?
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Oct 31 2012


/how exactly?/

Mass action. It will start as the cleanest thing in the room.
-- bungston, Nov 06 2012


And end up absolutely just as filthy and germ-infested as everything else in the room. 'Cause that's the great thing about microbes, you know: there are always plenty to go around.
-- Alterother, Nov 06 2012



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