8 Things in Your Home You Should Be Cleaning Every Week (At Least!)

Basic hygiene is important all year long, but with winter in full force — along with another surge of Covid-19, and flu season to boot — it’s wise to scrub up on your household cleanliness. At the very least, you’ll want to make sure you’re washing everyday items as often as you should. We asked cleaning experts how frequently we should be washing common household items, from pillowcases and make-up brushes to computer keyboards — and if you thought your house was squeaky clean, their recommendations might surprise you. Here are eight things that might need some attention:

Make-up Brushes

You may be surprised to hear that your make-up brushes should be washed once a week, using a cleanser or shampoo. The bacteria streptococcus can live in the bristles and cause a number of illnesses, such as scarlet fever, impetigo, and strep throat, if not cleaned regularly.

Bedding

Air your mattress daily, and wash bedding — sheets and duvet cover — weekly. The experts also recommend washing your pillowcases every other day and vacuuming your mattress once a month.

Tea Towels and Dishcloths

Tea towels and dishcloths should be washed daily or every second day, depending on how much you use your kitchen. It’s wise to have a couple of tea towels available for different uses: one for food prep, one for drying dishes. Microfiber cleaning cloths can be washed and reused.

Computer Keyboard

Your computer keyboard should be cleaned once a week to stop the spread of germs. Spray between the keys with a can of compressed air, and use a sanitizing wipe on the rest. (Just make sure it’s powered off before you clean it!)

Children’s Toys

Toys should be washed once a week. Use warm soapy water or run them through a dishwasher if they’re durable enough. Soft toys, like teddy bears, can be tossed in the washing machine and dried on high heat.

Bath Mat and Towels

You should air your bath mat every day, and wash it at least once a week. Bath towels and hand towels should be washed at 104F every two days.

Light Switches

Wipe them down with an antibacterial wipe every week. The same goes for TV remotes and other gadgets you use regularly.

Sofa

Vacuum your sofas with a fabric brush attachment at least once a week to get rid of crumbs, dust, dirt, and pet hair. You can also use a fabric sanitizer or disinfectant spray to kill germs.

Put these on your weekly cleaning list, and your home will be shining all winter long!

This article originally appeared on our sister site, Homes to Love