Whenever you spill food and drinks, have soap scum, rubbish or a pile of dirty clothes, the dirt is obvious. However, the visible dirt is not what you should worry about. There are places in your house that are much dirtier than you would think. These places are the ones that can affect your family’s health for real.
We will get a closer look at the different areas of your house that are the dirtiest of all, without you even noticing. You may want to pay more attention next time you are cleaning them.
1. Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in your whole house. Kitchens are constantly used, food is cooked there, the whole family gathers and most importantly – food of all kinds is stored there. However, all the elements in a kitchen create the perfect conditions for bacteria, mould and mildew growth. Raw meat, unwashed vegetables and fruits, as well as germs from outside clothing and bags, may team up with harmful bacteria like the E.Coli. It is important to regularly clean and disinfect your kitchens, wash the products you store there and avoid letting food spoil in your fridge or cupboards. The dirtiest places in the kitchen would be your sink, countertop, cabinet handles, refrigerators and small appliances.
2. Bathroom
You probably didn’t know that bacteria shows up in your bathroom after each use. In order to prevent them from growing, spreading and taking over your bathroom, make sure you pay more attention when cleaning door knobs, light switches, and faucet handles. Always dry your bathroom after you shower. You can wipe down your walls, hang your towels outside and open a window to let it properly dry. That will prevent moisture from sticking around and causing mould growth. For easy cleaning, use disposable disinfectant wipes that you can use to quickly wipe down all surfaces.
- Don’t forget to change your hand towels at least twice a week. Wash them in hot water and allow them to dry completely before storing them.
- Always make sure to disinfect your sink, taps, toothbrush holders and other areas that are constantly used.
3. Living area
No matter what kind of living room you have – if it is a lounge, a media room or a classic couch and TV, wherever the family gathers, there will be dirt. That is mainly thanks to the fact that everyone brings a lot of dirt from the outside. What is more, things in the living room are constantly touched by multiple people. That means that germs and bacteria are thriving all over your remote contr
ol, door handles, light switches, computer keyboard, tablets and phones.
Keypads and controllers should be wiped daily ( preferably with a disinfectant wipe). Also clean doorknobs, light switches and remotes. If there is someone with a cold, cleaning must happen more often.
The next dirtiest place would be your couch (or any upholstery you might have in your living room), especially if you have pets at home. By eating on the couch, letting the pets on it, and sitting with your outdoor clothes, you create a kingdom of dust, grime, bacteria and other dirt that just keeps building up between its cushions. Make sure you vacuum your whole couch at least once a week, in order to prevent those from happening.
4. Bedroom
The bedroom is a room that is used for resting and feeling safe and comfortable. However, the warm, soft, comfy bed we usually rest on is far from clean. In order to keep your bed clean, you need to properly maintain it on a regular basis. That includes – changing your bed linen every week, vacuuming your mattress every week, deep cleaning your mattress once every few months and washing your blankets, pillows and comforters once every 3-4 months. That will reduce the amount of dead skin cells, hair, sweat, grime, body oils and other dirt from building up and creating a nasty place for sleeping. By doing this you will be able to reduce the chance of dust mites infestation, skin irritations, eczema, allergies, acne and breathing issues.
More dirty places you probably overlookKeys, purses and wallets– Those are items that you carry around with you all the time. You have them outside, in your hands, in your car, hang them around public places etc. They collect all the germs from literally everywhere. What is more, you constantly touch them and help them spread further. Clean them regularly to maintain them hygienic.
Pet toys and feeding bowls – Wash your pet’s bowl just how you wash your own dishes – after every meal. Wash them by hand with hot soapy water or put them in the dishwasher, in order to prevent harmful bacteria growth. Pet toys can also collect bacteria, grow yeast and mould. Wash the hard ones with hot soapy water and the soft ones in the washing machine.
Handbags and gym equipment – Also brought everywhere with you, they collect the germs from everywhere on the outside. It is recommended that you don’t bring them inside your house and leave them in the mudroom, or have a designated place for them, far away from your bedroom, dining room or living area. Wash them once a week if you carry them around all the time.