smitbhavani We all have our go-to spots to clean around the home – whether that’s a quick wipe of the countertops, a speedy vacuum of the rug, or a scrub of the toilet seat. When you’re trying to complete household chores on a daily, or weekly, basis it’s vital to find convenient solutions and this usually involves the areas that you think accumulate the most germs. What if we told you that the spots you thought were the dirtiest, actually weren’t?
Microbiology Expert, Dr. Manal Mohammed, has revealed the top list of bacteria harboring items in the home, and some of them are surprising. She’s also provided top tips for how to clean them, so once you realize which spots you’ve been missing it will be easy to get them squeaky clean. After all, your kitchen can harbor bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, yeast, and mold and can ultimately lead to cross-contamination and foodborne illnesses. So whether you need the best vacuum cleaners (opens in new tab) to help you get the job done, or even the best steam mops (opens in new tab) to kill off any pesky germs, you’ll soon be ready to target even the most unassuming areas in your home.
How to keep your kitchen clean
When it comes to cleaning a kitchen, I’m certainly guilty of only targeting the floors, sink, and countertops on a daily basis. It’s only once in a blue moon that I think of all the extra things that hang onto dirt, like kitchen towels that don’t get changed over as frequently as they should.
Dr. Manal Mohammed has listed out the top five items in a kitchen that harbor bacteria, so you can try to integrate cleaning them into a regular routine. Many of them aren’t surprising, like cabinet handles, but are still easy to forget about when it comes to wiping things down.
1. Kitchen sponges
To clean kitchen sponges, soak them in vinegar for five minutes once a week, then rinse them with water and let them dry. Replace sponges that smell bad, even after disinfection.
2. Sinks and taps
Disinfect your kitchen sink at least once a day, using a disinfectant or eco/biodegradable wipes. Do this ideally after washing dishes and meal preparation.
3. Kitchen cabinet handles and appliance handles
Regularly wipe these surfaces with hot, soapy water or eco/biodegradable wipes to keep them clean.
4. Chopping boards
Use at least two separate cutting boards, one for raw meats and poultry, and one for fruits and vegetables. After every use, wash them with hot soapy water, rinse with hot water, and dry completely.
5. Kitchen towels
Replace tea towels with paper towels or use a new, clean towel for different surfaces in your kitchen. Wash towels with bleach or other disinfectants before using them again
How to keep your bathroom clean
Your bathroom is where you go to get yourself as clean as possible, so it’s only natural that it also needs to be sparkling and sanitary. Again, it’s handy to just focus on the biggest areas that you see day to day, like the sink, toilet, or shower. However, germs can easily be spread around the room so it’s important to regularly deep clean other forgotten spots, that Dr. Manal Mohammed has detailed below.
1. Toothbrush
Place your toothbrush as far away from the toilet as possible and rinse it after each use. Most importantly, replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head regularly. Don’t forget to clean the toothbrush holder too!
2. Toilet
Put the toilet lid and seat down when flushing to prevent the spread of germs. Most importantly, please wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet to prevent cross-contamination.
3. Bathroom floor
Mop the bathroom floor regularly and deep clean it weekly or bi-weekly.
4. Waste bins
Empty waste bins before they are full and clean them regularly.
5. Towels
Hang your towel to dry and wash it every three to four days.
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