It is easy to assume that your home is clean, and this may be true at first glance. But a lot of areas are hotbeds for viruses, bacteria, or germs. There are items that you may even use every day but harbor more dirt, bacteria, and germs than your toilet seat.
Experts from a cleaning company share their opinions on what items are dirt traps and what you can do to keep them clean, if ever. Remember this list, whether you are planning to tidy up your room, kitchen, bathroom, or another part of your home.
Sponges
You may have heard about this item before. Sponges, dish rags, and similar cleaning rags are some of the filthiest objects in any household. They may be common in cleaning plates, kitchenware, and countertops, among others, but if you’re not careful, you could run the risk of making your kitchen dirtier than before you started cleaning.
Studies show that kitchen sponges become the home of several bacteria, viruses, and even mold, including E.coli, Staphylococcus, Salmonella, and even influenza, among others. If you use the same sponge to clean both your dinnerware and counters, you are spreading all that filth everywhere. Because of this fact, it is rare to find commercial or restaurant kitchens using sponges.
Cleaning tips: At the end of the day, place the sponge or rag in a bowl of hot water and let dry over a tray. An alternative is to use vinegar or a diluted bleach solution to disinfect the sponge. Never use vinegar and bleach together as the mixture can produce toxic gases.
Placing a wet sponge inside the microwave is another way to sterilize your cleaning accessory. Remember that these are not sure proof ways of eliminating the germs or bacteria. Experts recommend replacing your sponges twice a month.
Cutting boards
People use chopping boards for slicing fruits, vegetables, meats, and other foods. However, both wooden and plastic cutting boards make ideal places for Salmonella, other bacteria, and pathogens. Knives can create grooves and notches on the board, which make the perfect breeding ground for germs.
Cleaning tips: For wooden boards, wash them with a mixture of hot water and dish soap after each use. Once they dry, wipe it down with a clean cloth soaked in vinegar. Never leave it soaked in water as it can cause the wood to warp, split or crack.
Plastic cutting boards can be soaked in a solution of diluted bleach consisting of two tablespoons of bleach for every gallon of water. An alternative is to let the board soak overnight in a solution containing four tablespoons of baking soda, two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide, and a tablespoon of dish soap. In the morning, rewash the board with dish soap and water; leave to dry before using.
Remote controls
If you frequently travel, you may have heard the advice of sealing the remote inside a ziplock bag before using. Remote controls are some of the most used electronic devices inside the home or any space. Many people share them, yet they are rarely cleaned.
Thousands of bacteria can live on a remote, some of which you can also find on kitchen sponges. Part of the reason is that people often eat while watching TV. The food particles and oils are transferred from your fingers to the remote, contaminating the device.
Cleaning tips: Clean the remote at least once a week. Remove the batteries, and with some alcohol on a clean cloth or cotton swab, wipe the remote clean.
Toothbrushes
Bathrooms are enclosed spaces. As such, it is easy for particles from the toilet bowl to land on your toothbrush when you flush. Imagine brushing your teeth with a toothbrush filled with fecal particulates.
Cleaning tips: Store your toothbrush as far away from the toilet bowl and always flush with the lid down. Experts recommend replacing your toothbrush every three months, although if you get sick, you will need to do it immediately after you recover. This is to prevent you from getting re-infected from any bacteria or germs that may be on your toothbrush.
Mobile devices
Smartphones, tablets, computers – these are some of the most common gadgets people use daily, even while inside the toilet. However, much like remotes, most people don’t give a second thought to cleaning them at all. Whether you use these devices alone or share them with other people, a single device can effectively house thousands of bacteria.
Cleaning tips: Leave your devices outside the toilet to prevent particles from landing on your device. Disinfect the screens and keyboards with wipes or a soft cloth. Don’t forget to turn it off and remove any batteries to avoid damaging the device.
More often than not, it’s our everyday, seemingly innocent habits that can cause germs, bacteria, and viruses to latch on to everyday items. Take note of these home cleaning tips to keep items free of disease-causing matter.
AUTHOR BIO
Mohamed Samad is the Founder & CEO of Matic Services. He started the company in 2016 after a series of small start-ups within the home services sector. Prior to that, Mohamed was Vice President at Greenstone Equity Partners, where he spent 24 months building the UAE business from 2011-2013 with its founder.
