11 Dirty Places in Your Home You’re Probably Forgetting to Clean
Most of us clean everyday just by doing the dishes, wiping down the counters, or taking out the trash. But the reason these things are done so frequently is because they’re visible. So what about the things that are less obvious? Keep reading to discover 11 dirty places around your home you’re probably forgetting to clean.
1. The Kitchen Sink
How’s this for gross: Your toilet bowl might actually be cleaner than your kitchen sink. Yes, really. Food particles that aren’t cleaned properly become breeding grounds for harmful bacteria. Spray and wipe down your sink daily and once a week, and make sure to clean your drain plug thoroughly with baking soda, white vinegar, and boiling water.
2. Your Toothbrush
Ever thought about the fact that you stick your toothbrush in your mouth twice a day and then expect it to be clean? Well, it isn’t. Always make sure you leave your brush to dry somewhere airy, and never flush your toilet with the lid open, as the particles from flushing can float all over the bathroom. Once a week, dip the heads of your brushes in hydrogen peroxide and then rinse them with boiling water.
3. Your Remote Control
Think about it: Have you ever cleaned your remote control? If you haven’t, it’s time. Everyone in the house probably uses it at least one per day, possibly while eating or drinking. So yeah, you need to clean it. Use an alcohol wipe weekly to wipe the remote down.
4. Your Computer Keyboard
Think about all the things you do at your computer — eat, drink, sneeze. Now think about how often you clean it. Our guess is not very often. Wipe the keys down with an alcohol wipe and don’t forget the mouse!
5. Your Bathtub
Bathtubs look innocent enough, but they can harbor germs like crazy. Ensure you clean yours after bathing, and always wipe it down with a clean, dry towel to remove excess moisture where bacteria thrives.
6. Your Kitchen Towels
If you think changing your tea towels every day is overkill, well, prepare for overkill. You really should swap these out daily, particularly if they’ve been dropped on the floor or used to wipe up food spills.
7. Your Dish Sponge
Your kitchen sponge is a hotbed of germs. To clean, place in a microwave for a minute on high, or pour a cup of boiling water over it.
8. Door Knobs and Handles
You can put door knobs and handles in the same category as remote controls: things we touch all the time and never think to clean. Wipe them with an antibacterial spray as part of your weekly clean.
9. Washing Machine
Your washing machine is a hot, wet place — the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Remove wet clothes from the machine as soon as the load has finished, and wipe it down regularly with a disinfecting wipe.
10. Pet Bowls
It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that germs flourish in pet bowls. Clean them daily with warm, soapy water — or just pop them in the dishwasher!
11. Your Trash Can
Again, it’s probably not a huge shock that your trash bin will be covered in bacteria. And yet, how often do you clean it? Wipe down the lid of your bin every few days, and once a month, wash it thoroughly with bleach and leave in the sun to dry.
This article originally appeared on our sister site, Now to Love.
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