Back to Top Ten Index Top Ten

Top 10 germy hot spots

in your home

by Maria Gracia Join our newsletter to be notified when the newest Top Ten list is available. Not to gross you out or anything, but once you learn these top 10 high-germ places in your home, you’re likely to grab some cleaning supplies (soap and water, bleach and water, disinfecting wipes) and start scrubbing. Ok, I’ve warned you. Here goes... 1. Dish towels and sponges: Change the towel no less than once a day...and put sponges (bacteria hotbeds!) in the dishwasher when you run the cycle. 2. Knobs, handles and light switches: The more people who touch these, the more germy they are. Disinfecting wipes to the rescue...especially if somebody in your house is ill. 3. Cosmetic brushes: Clean your make- up brushes often. If you don’t, you’re spreading bacteria from your face, to your make-up, then back to your face. Soak them in gentle soap (I use my foamy facial cleanser) and water once a week, and allow them to air dry. 4. Laundry you’ve just washed: Don’t leave it sitting in your washer, wet, all day long, unless you want mold to follow suit. As soon as the cycle is over, hang the wash or get it into the dryer. 5. Remote controls, computer keyboards, phones, and tablets:  Germs stick to these like glue. I use disinfecting wipes (just ensure these are safe to use on the electronics you own). 6. Your toothbrush holder and drinking cup: Toss these in the dishwasher cycle if yours are dishwasher safe. Also, close the toilet when you flush. You don’t want the “spray” from flushing to end up on these items you put to your mouth! 7. The kitchen sink: This is one of the germiest places of all. There are often more than 500,000 bacteria in the kitchen sink—1,000 times more than the average toilet. Clean with a solution of bleach and water once a day, and dry it out when you’re done. Don’t forget the faucet! 8. The shower and bathtub: Use bathroom cleaner with bleach after bathing, and dry it when you’re done. No standing water, please! While you’re in the bathroom, clean the toilet as well. Use a disinfectant-type cleaner. This is my most dreaded thing in my house to clean...and it may be yours too. Don’t avoid it though...git ‘er done! 9. The vacuum bag: Change the bag often…and do so outdoors when possible. The longer you wait, the better the chances it will be holding mold and human-associated bacteria. 10. The garbage disposal: You don’t want old food sitting (festering) in your garbage disposal. When you add food to the disposal, run the disposal. Clean the disposal's rubber stopper, with a diluted bleach solution, once a week. Add ice cubes and citrus peels once a week to the disposal, and run it. This will keep the blades sharp and clean, and give off a nice, natural scent. Back to Top Ten Index