It is always timely to rethink cleaning habits with an eye toward fending off colds and other illnesses. Some germ factories are obvious — cutting boards, carpets, shoes, hands — but there are many seemingly innocuous sources of germs that can make you sick. Here are 25 safe havens for germs that belong on your spring-cleaning list. (No need to go overboard, though. Some germs are good — they build up immunity to certain bacteria.)
DISHWASHER
Something with the word “washer” in its name sounds like it should be clean as a whistle. Nope. The dishwasher is one of the dirtiest spots in the kitchen. Food particles that remain on the dishes after loading create a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Molly Maid’s Cleaning Institute recommends multiple methods for keeping your dishwasher safe from troublesome germs, including one technique that involves Tang drink mi
It’s hard to go anywhere without touching a door handle, switch plate, or knob — think of the hordes who have been there before you. Light switch plates are especially troublesome because of the many nooks and crannies. Do everyone in the household a favor by routinely using a safe disinfectant on these surfaces. If out in public, consider using the paper towel from drying your hands to open the restroom door — or carry wipes.
DOORKNOBS AND LIGHT SWITCHES
It’s hard to go anywhere without touching a door handle, switch plate, or knob — think of the hordes who have been there before you. Light switch plates are especially troublesome because of the many nooks and crannies. Do everyone in the household a favor by routinely using a safe disinfectant on these surfaces. If out in public, consider using the paper towel from drying your hands to open the restroom door — or carry wipes.
TOWELS AND SHEETS
We get up close and personal with sheets and towels at least once a day, allowing them to pick up germs, allergens, dirt, and other nasty bits. Hygiene experts recommend changing sheets and towels every seven to 10 days. Getting into a routine (maybe designating one day of the week “linens day”) can help reduce the spread of germs and the likelihood of anyone getting sick. If you are under the weather, make sure your towel is yours only for the week and wash it as soon as you feel better.
BED PILLOWS AND MATTRESSES
Pillows and mattresses accumulate dust, dead skin, sweat, drool, and germs. Replacing sheets and pillowcases takes care of only part of the problem. The accumulation of these particles in the place where you rest your head every night can cause repeated allergy flare-ups, which can lead to prolonged medication and doctors’ visits. Most bed pillows can be cleaned fairly easily. A Bowl Full of Lemons provides a tutorial for keeping pillows fresh and germ-free. Prevention recommends replacing pillows every year and a mattress every five to 10 years (more often if you aren’t sleeping well).
PANTRY
Spring is a good time to reassess your food storage methods and go through the pantry and refrigerator in search of forgotten foodstuffs. Food is often safe to eat past its “sell by” date, and many dry and canned products and refrigerated standbys (like salad dressings and condiments) have long shelf lives, but eating expired food can put you at risk for gastrointestinal distress and other illnesses. If you can’t read the date or aren’t sure, abide by the old maxim: “When in doubt, throw it out.”
PHONES
We’re all guilty of taking a cellphone into the kitchen, the bathroom, the grocery store, and sometimes even (gasp) public restrooms. In the many miles this mobile device traverses daily, it picks up more germs than a toilet seat. Do you ever clean your phone after you’ve been sick? Popsugar offers tips for thoroughly cleaning a smartphone.
PURSES AND WALLETS
Much like cellphones, purses and wallets travel with us everywhere. When set on the floor and elsewhere, the bottom of a purse picks up bacteria that can cause a variety of illnesses, from colds to diarrhea. Experts suggest wiping down the contents of your purse with antibacterial wipes and not bringing it further than the entryway of your home to avoid exposing other areas to germs, especially the ki
Because bacteria thrive in damp places, your morning cup o’ joe may be at risk for contamination. Keeping the coffee maker clean means doing more than running water over the components. In The Huffington Post, an expert from the Good Housekeeping Research Institute recommends daily cleaning with soap and water, along with a run-through using a vinegar solution for sanitizing and decalcifying every one to three months.
COFFEE MAKER
Because bacteria thrive in damp places, your morning cup o’ joe may be at risk for contamination. Keeping the coffee maker clean means doing more than running water over the components. In The Huffington Post, an expert from the Good Housekeeping Research Institute recommends daily cleaning with soap and water, along with a run-through using a vinegar solution for sanitizing and decalcifying every one to three months.
TOOTHBRUSHES
For something that goes in your mouth at least twice a day, a toothbrush is not very clean. Bacteria can float around the bathroom in up to a 6-foot radius after the toilet is flushed, a periodontist tells Mental Floss. To prevent germs from settling on your toothbrush, flush the toilet with the lid down, keep toothbrushes away from the toilet, and replace them often.
KEYBOARD AND MOUSE
Those with desk jobs are constantly going from car to computer, bathroom to computer, lunch to computer, and so on. By the time your hands hit the keyboard and grab the mouse again, you’ve likely accumulated quite a few germs. Never mind all the crumbs dropped in between the keys while scarfing down lunch or a snack. Hand washing is the No. 1 protection against transferring bacteria to and from computer components. Also, make sure to clean the keyboard and mouse frequently.
KETTLE
Kettles generally only boil water, which seems innocuous enough. However, when using water from the tap, mineral deposits can build up on the inside of the kettle and turn into flakes or blobs of mineral goo that gets into your water. A quick wipe down of the inside every now and then will remove any build-up.
RUGS
Rugs get a lot of foot traffic, which can add up to germs, dirt and bacteria tracked in from the outside world. Worse, pets often use rugs to scratch all kinds of body parts. A simple vacuuming may not be enough, but a seasonal deep cleaning can get deep into even shag rugs to sanitize them.
BROOMS
One of the go-to tools for cleaning, brooms can be easily overlooked as unsanitary. Beyond the long strands of dust and hair that get caught in the bristles, there are more subtle particles trapped inside. Both synthetic and natural fiber brooms can be combed and gently washed to restore them to their original, clean state. Still, after a while they will need to be replaced.
MICROWAVES
That popping sound when you leave something in the microwave too long? It’s not unlike a food bomb going off, leaving every inch inside your microwave covered in a baked-on mess. A quick wipe-down immediately afterward gets rid of much of the splatter, but try a disinfecting spray to really get the microwave clean.
MAKE-UP BRUSHES
Our faces are home to many kinds of germs, which get transferred to make-up brushes every time they are used. Keeping the bristles clean, as well as the base of the bristles dry, is important to reduce the risk of exposing your skin to harmful bacteria. Safely cleaning the brushes is easy and quick, and well worth the effort.
SHOWER CURTAINS
Even mildew-resistant shower curtains get coated in built-up grime after a while. Many models are machine washable, which makes keeping them clean a breeze. For those that aren’t, it could be time to replace them or give them a good, old-fashioned scrubbing with shower cleaner.
BATH MATS
Bath mats live on the bathroom floor, which already tends to be a place where germs love to multiply. Add to that the constant moisture in the air and from wet, freshly-showered feet, and it’s a veritable breeding ground. While bath mats are easy to overlook, it’s important to take the time to wash them regularly.
TRASH CANS
Even though trash cans are used with liners, it’s inevitable that some trash or slips leaks between the bag and the can. Often a bad trash smell can be coming from the can itself. While it’s not necessary to wash it every time you change the bag, a good seasonal washing with soap and water will keep it fresh and in like-new condition longer.
DESK DRAWERS
In addition to clutter, desk drawers tend to accumulate dust, debris, and other messes. A single piece of candy left in a hot drawer can result in a sticky mess. Cleaning out the entire drawer with a disinfectant wipe will keep things clean, as well as offer an opportunity to declutter.
HUMIDIFIERS
Humidifiers keep our skin soft and supple all winter long, but they are also building up internal mildew and mold. Taking apart any model of humidifier for a deep clean is necessary before storing it away for the year. This goes for air diffusers as well.
MOP
Wringing out mops after each use is a good way to keep them clean. Washing them in the washing machine or in a suds bath is an extra layer of protection against the bacteria and mildew that can grow inside of mops.
OVEN
Cleaning the oven may seem like a horrible task — which is likely why so many people put it off for years at a time. In reality, it’s not so bad and should be done about once a year. To safely clean an oven, it’s important to get set up with the right tools and cleansers, like non toxic sprays and soaps.