As we begin to approach Spring, we will find many spring-cleaning tips. However, there are some items you should not wait until one or even twice a year to clean. Realtor.com recently posted an article on things in a home that are dirtier than a toilet. Below is a list of just 5 of those items we thought we would share with our readers.
1. Your kitchen sink
Not just due to dirty dishes, dirty hands, or washing food, but the biggest reason is your kitchen sponge. “A single cubic centimeter on one may be packed with as much bacteria as there are people on Earth ... multiplied seven times”. .
How to clean: Put leftovers directly into the garbage or a compost bin, suggests Debra Johnson, a home cleaning expert for Merry Maids. Rinse the sink with warm water and dishwashing liquid after each meal. Don’t forget to wash the faucet and handles.Sanitize your sink with bleach. And replace your sponge every week. (Putting it in the microwave or dishwasher will encourage more bacteria.)
2. Your coffee maker
You might have heard that coffee has some antibacterial properties. But don't get too comfortable.
“It's not enough to eliminate all germs that build up within your coffee maker,” warns Morgan Statt, a health and safety investigator at ConsumerSafety.org. “The water reservoir and piping system are prime spots for bacteria to grow since they're often damp and dark,” Statt explains.
How to clean: On a regular basis, clean the removable parts of your coffee maker with soap and hot water and then let air-dry. Then once a month, mix one part vinegar with one part water and run it through your machine. “The vinegar will be able to fully disinfect and remove any buildup,” Statt says.
3. Your remote control
We probably don't have to tell you what you already know: Your remote control is all kinds of nasty. A TV remote has been shown to be the dirtiest item in a hospital room.
How to clean: Dab some rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and do a deep clean, including between the buttons, Truong advises. Then, use a disinfectant wipe to clean your remote once a week. And maybe stop with the Cheetos.
4. Your doorknobs
A study by Michigan State University researchers found that only 5% of people who use the bathroom wash their hands thoroughly and long enough to kill germs that can cause illness. Another study out of the University of Arizona found that the bacteria from just one infected doorknob could travel to as many as 60% of the people in an office in under four hours.
How to clean: “Frequently use antibacterial wipes to wipe down doorknobs,” says Anthony Truong, owner of Two Maids & A Mop, a residential cleaning company in Orlando, FL. And while you’re at it, do the light switches.
5. Your shower curtain
Shower liners are primo spots for germs, especially if your shower is right next to the toilet. (Each time you flush, a plume of bacteria is released, and it’s gotta go somewhere.) Other bacteria swoop in through your water or plumbing system. If you have black lining along the curtain, that means you have millions of mold spores near you every time you bathe,” Statt says. Calgon, take us away...
How to clean: Use a bleach-based spray to clean the curtain, rod, and rings. If yours is too far gone, buy a new one. Then, to delay the buildup of grossness, always keep the curtain closed, even when you’re not showering, Statt says. Doing so will prevent water from getting trapped in the folds and causing more bacteria to grow.
For the full list of dirtiest things, visit Stephanie Booth's article at realtor.com/advice
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