I remember a while back reading something regarding the “icky stuff” found on the top of soda cans - can you point me in the correct direction to find this again?
Thanks 
No, but I knew a guy who worked in a warehouse, and when thousands of cans of soda are stacked, he said they walk on them. Washing the top of your soda can makes good sense.
While I agree it does make sense, it is admittedly difficult at times since vending machines are not usually placed near a sink.
If nothing else, use a tissue or the hem of your shirt to wipe the crud off the top. It may not be sanitized, but you won’t ingest bits of dirt. This is what I do and I’ve survived almost half a century! 
This may be what you’re referring to. Variations on this pop up on office refrigerators all the time.
Thanks for all your responses.
LurkMeister - the link you provided was exactly what I was looking for.
Myself? I just swipe the top of the can if I remember :rolleyes:
Slurking back to lurkdom again
I had a friend who would polish the top of a pop can with tissue paper, a handkerchief, shirt tail or whatever was handy. I never did and still don’t. My friend has been dead for nearly twenty years. I have no idea what this means.
Look this is just Natures way of telling you not to drink that crap. Its not good for you and its expensive as hell. Beer is cheaper. Drink water lots of it. Your kidneys will thank you and you’ll probably lose weight! Which most Americans can stand to do.
This is just my opinion, I could be wrong!
I remember one time I bought a six-pack of whatever beer was on sale at my local corner market. I took it home, went into the backyard (where it was quite dark) and cracked it opened. I lifted it to my lips, took a nice slobbery swallow of the sweet nectar, and I noticed it tasted a bit…off. A little too salty. I sniffed it, and it smelled a little off, as well.
I took it inside to check it out, and upon arriving in the light, I saw the cause of the “off”-ness.
The entire top of the can was encrusted with a thick yellowish-gold coating. Encrusted in the yellowish-gold ooze were little chunks, dirt and a few little hairs. The thick goo had even filled the little crevice around the can’s lip.
Several disturbing images flooded my head: 1) of a sweaty beer-truck driver jerking off onto the top of what eventually became my six pack, 2) a sweaty beer-truck driver vomiting all over what would eventually become my six pack and 3) a sweaty beer-truck driver pissing all over said six pack.
I really couldn’t imagine what else could’ve produced the yellowish-gold sludge that tasted that salty.
I dry heaved for about 20 minutes, which was followed by another 20 of me scrubbing my lips and tongue with anti-bacterial soap.
Needless to say, I don’t buy cans anymore.
Happy
ALWAYS! Always clean a can/bottle before you open it! If you can imagine the conditions of a filthy warehouse, dirty delivery trucks, cruddy back rooms of stores, and public exposure in the aisles, then you have an idea of what might be on your can. Never mind the occasional pesticide application from folks spraying these storage areas.