Explore 15 super dirty places in your house that often get missed. Get easy ways to clean these spots and keep your home healthier.
Sponges
Believe it or not, the kitchen is one of the filthiest areas in the home, and 75% of dish sponges host bacteria like salmonella and E. coli. If your sponge smells, it’s time for monthly replacement. Keep it clean by microwaving it (not if it’s metallic), soaking it in diluted bleach, or running it through a hot dishwasher cycle.
Pet Bowls and Toys
Keep your pet’s food and water bowls clean for their well-being. Wash them daily with hot, soapy water, whether by hand or in the dishwasher. Allow them to air dry to prevent harmful bacteria from thriving. Pet toys can also carry coliform bacteria, yeast, and mold. Clean hard toys weekly with soapy water, while soft toys can be hand- or machine-washed using hot water and a disinfectant.
Faucets
To keep your faucets clean, pay attention to the space underneath, especially if you use tap water for drinking or cooking. Minerals in tap water, such as calcium, create a hard buildup around the faucet. Use a grout brush to scrub it off or apply orange essential oil with an old toothbrush, letting it sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing with a stiff brush.
Wallets, Purses, and Keys
The things you touch daily pick up germs too. Remember to clean your key fobs, purses, and wallets regularly. Purses usually carry the most germs because they touch floors and then other surfaces at home. Keep fabric and leather bags away from the floor and make sure to clean inside them often!
Remote Controls and Keyboards
Your keyboard collects gunk, hair, and dust, ranking among the dirtiest areas in homes. Keyboards, alongside remotes and light switches, fall into the category of frequently touched spots, often carrying lots of grime from daily use by multiple people. To clean, apply a mix of water and rubbing alcohol on a cloth. Scrub tricky areas with a toothbrush, then wipe with the cloth.
Showers and Bathtubs
Showers gather soap scum, watermarks, and grime, spreading bacteria with each use. Neglected tubs, on the other hand, risk clogs and stains, especially those with slow drains that let the dirt stick. Use bathroom cleaner and scrub for regular cleaning. For tougher stains, apply bleach, wait 10 minutes, rinse, then scrub and rinse with bathroom cleaner again.
Toilet Bowls
The toilet bowl collects bacteria and stains from daily use, but surprisingly, the outer bowl and seat also need cleaning as they can be contaminated with dirt, hair, and dust. For a clean outer area, consider a weekly wipe with a dry cloth or paper towel followed by an all-purpose or bathroom cleaner.
Bathroom Rugs
While cleaning your bathroom, it’s common to lift and reposition rugs without cleaning them. However, these rugs accumulate dust, hair, and products, resulting in a dirty floor even after mopping. Combat this by washing the rugs weekly in the machine and vacuuming in between to maintain cleanliness.
Kitchen Handles and Counters
The kitchen counter becomes a hub for produce, stains, and spills. Cooking can also spread bacteria or grease onto drawer handles. Experts recommend disinfecting these spots daily to maintain cleanliness and prevent germ buildup from everyday kitchen activities.
Toothbrushes
While toothbrushes clean our mouths, they gather germs from us and the bathroom. Swap them often and store them where they dry well, away from the toilet. Close the lid when flushing to avoid spreading bacteria with each flush.
Reusable Grocery Bags
Reusable bags, while environmentally friendly, can carry germs from items like poultry, vegetables, fruits, and food packets. Due to frequent handling, they become hotspots for spreading infections. To clean them, use hot, soapy water, or machine wash and air-dry canvas bags. Avoid taking damp bags to stores to prevent mold growth.
Blender Gasket
The blender’s more than just the jar; it has a gasket at the base—a rubber seal that stops leaks. But that spot can trap bacteria, yeast, and mold due to food and moisture. Use soap and water or a thin-bristle brush to clean it. Soaking the rubber in warm, soapy water for 10 minutes can help loosen grime and stains.
Drain Stopper
A blocked drain can get filled with germs and mold. If it starts to slow down, no need to buy a new stopper immediately—just clean it. Remove gunk by hand, wash it with warm, soapy water, and soak the stopper in vinegar or detergent for a few minutes before scrubbing with a rag.
Air Vents
HVAC vents in your house tend to collect dirt, hair, and bug fragments, which then circulate in the indoor air you breathe daily. A regular household vacuum with a long hose can suck up the dust from your air registers. Alternatively, you can use a stiff-bristle brush, like a toilet brush or a paintbrush if needed. Remember to wear gloves and a mask while cleaning for safety.
Grout
If you examine closely, you’ll notice dirt and dust stuck between tiles, darkening the floors or walls. Grout, being light-colored and porous, easily stains. To clean, use a grout brush or an old toothbrush dipped in water to scrub. Vinegar mixed with water sprayed on dirty spots can help release trapped dirt and hairs. Another homemade mix is hydrogen peroxide and baking soda: mix them until paste-like, apply on grout, wait 10 mins, then scrub
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