Most people pay good attention to keeping the most obviously dirty areas of their homes clean. Bathrooms, kitchen counters and household flooring are typically scrubbed on a pretty regular basis to keep the grime at bay (especially if you are in the habit of scheduling cleaning services from Mini Maid!). Unfortunately, there are many objects in a home that it simply doesn’t occur to many people to keep clean. Here’s a list of some of the items in your home that may be housing way more germs than you’d ever guess. And don’t worry, we’re also providing helpful hints on how to effectively clean them!
Faucet Handles
Don’t skip the faucets when you go to clean your sinks! Considering the fact that we’re often turning them on with dirty hands (whether in the bathroom or in the kitchen), it’s no surprise that faucet handles are a breeding ground for bacteria. Be sure to wash them regularly with bleach or antibacterial cleaning solution, and don’t miss the nooks and crannies where mold can build up (a toothbrush is a perfect tool to get into the crevices).
Bath Mats
Not only are bath mats located in bathrooms, but they are also used to collect water. That’s a perfect recipe for germs! Items that never get a chance to completely dry out are a magnet for bacteria buildup. Plus, bath mats are stepped on by dirty feet and shoes on a regular basis. Add germs that may get transferred from the toilet bowl during flushing, and you can see why bath mats are often found to be filthy. To address this problem, consider purchasing a rubber bath mat that will cut down the chances for mildew. Plus, they are simple to clean! If you do choose to keep a fabric-based bath mat, be sure you’re putting it through a hot cycle in the washing machine at least once a week.
Phones & Tablets
You may have heard this one before, but it really can’t be stressed enough. Phones and other mobile devices consistently test off the charts when it comes to contamination. To drive the point home — a recent study found fecal matter on 80% of the phones they tested in a random sample. (Yuck!) To combat germs, be sure to wipe down your devices once a day with an antibacterial cloth.
Keyboards
Similarly to phones and tablets, keyboards are touched constantly by grimy hands, and studies show that they are a wonderland for bacteria! Avoid eating over at your computer to keep crumbs and spills from gumming up the keys. Use antibacterial wipes, or even Q-Tips and cleaning solution, to sanitize your keyboards weekly.
Toothbrush Holders
We’re told to replace toothbrushes at least every two months because they wear out and the bristles get built up with bacteria, but what about the containers that we place them in? Turns out, they are typically pretty darn dirty! In fact, a test done by NSF International showed that the toothbrush holder is the third germiest place in the average home.
Kitchen Sponges
Sponges are another item that are nearly always kept wet or damp, plus they regularly come into contact with dirty dishes and contaminated surfaces. To avoid spreading bacteria to everything your sponge touches, soak them in a bleach solution or run them through the dishwasher a couple times a week. A quick zap in the microwave works to kill germs, too!
Do you have your own tips for cleaning unexpected or often-overlooked items in your home? Share them with us in the comments! And, when you get tired of dealing with the cleaning, schedule a cleaning and the Mini Maid team will swoop in to give you a much-needed break!
