Germiest Spots in Your Home—and How to Clean Them

1. Kitchen sponge

Microwave wet sponges at high heat for two minutes once per day—seriously, every day—and replace every two weeks. These things get filthy.  If you’re the type who measures the life span of kitchen sponges in years, stop being that type.

2. Kitchen sink

Is it any surprise that the kitchen sink is the second germiest place in your home, a virtual Wild West of bacteria? Tame it. Wash and fully disinfect the sides and bottom once or twice a week. Sanitize kitchen drains and disposals monthly by pouring down a solution of 1 teaspoon household bleach in 1 quart of water.

3. Toothbrush holder

OK, this one caught us a bit off guard. Germ-laden toothbrushes? Going into our mouths daily? Gross. Hand wash the holder with hot, soapy water, and clean with a disinfecting wipe once or twice a week.

4. Pet bowl

Give your furry loved ones—and their owners—a break. Place bowls in a solution of one cap of bleach in 1 gallon of water and soak for about 10 minutes once a week.

5. Coffee reservoir

A common disinfecting method is to add up to 4 cups of undiluted vinegar to the reservoir, let it stand for 30 minutes and run the vinegar through the unit. Run fresh water through the unit until the vinegar odor is gone. It’s a bit of a pain, but it works. Most manufacturers recommend cleaning every 40-80 brew cycles, or at least monthly.

6. Faucet handles

Clean daily with disinfecting cleaner or wipes. A paper towel and a splash of water isn’t enough.

7. Pet toys

Clean monthly: Hand-wash hard toys with hot, soapy water, and use washer to wash soft toys. You’re on your own with the plastic Donald Trump squeeze toys.

8. Countertops

Yes, we know you clean these every day. Clean them better, please. Wash with hot, soapy water, rinse with clean water, and apply a bleach-water solution daily.

9. Stove knobs

Remove knobs, wash in hot soapy water, let dry, and reinstall once a week. Do it.

10. Cutting boards

Place in the dishwasher after each use or hand-wash with hot soapy water.germs-01

 

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