Spots you need to clean daily for a germ-free house

No matter how well you clean, your house is always full of germs, bacteria, dirt, and other microbes. The germiest places in your home are the spots you need to clean every day to stop harmful bacteria from growing. Not all germs are harmful, but where there are germ strongholds, harmful bacteria can easily flourish.

Even if you are not a germaphobe, the thought of all the germs lurking in your home can gross you out. There are several places for such organisms to hide and flourish in your home. Here are several spots you need to clean daily to keep your home germ-free.

1. Countertops

Kitchen countertops come into contact with a lot of the items that go into the kitchen. So, it comes as no surprise that harmful bacteria such as yeast, mold, and coliform bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli can be found on countertops. Countertops should be cleaned daily. Once you have finished preparing your food, clean the countertop with some hot soapy water, then rinse it with clean water. Apply a bleach-and-water solution or a store-bought sanitizing agent that’s recommended for the specific material of your countertops.

For glass kitchen countertops, always check with the manufacturer for the best cleaning options. 

2. Kitchen sinks

The kitchen sink may not be the germiest place in the home, but it ranks pretty high since you clean everything in it. You would think that since you use soap and water in the sink all the time, the germs would be fewer. However, this is not the case. Mold, coliform bacteria, and yeast prefer the damp and wet conditions around the kitchen sink.

Clean the kitchen sink at least once or twice a week, and wash and disinfect the sides and bottom of the sink. Also, clean the sink filter in your dishwasher. Sanitize the kitchen sink drain and disposal by pouring a solution of 1 teaspoon household bleach and 1 quart of water down the drain. You can also use vinegar and hot water to clean the grime.

3. Cleaning sponges and rags

Dish wash rags or sponges can be a hotbed for germs. To clean a kitchen sponge, place it in the microwave for two minutes once a day. You should also replace it often like after every two weeks. Dishcloths, towels, and rags are better options for kitchen cleaning than sponges. This is because they can be sanitized with your washing machine’s sanitizing cycle or with bleach. You should replace washable linens every one to two days to keep microbes in check.

4. Bathrooms

It is essential to clean and sanitize everything in the bathroom from the sink to the faucets, handles, and the toilet area. Also empty the wastebaskets and those with dirty diapers, if any, and take out the garbage. You may need to use higher strength cleaners to keep germs under control here. Spritz the wastebaskets with sanitizing and deodorizing spray to keep odors away.

5. Electronics

Remote controls, computer keyboards, cellphones, and other electronics which your whole family probably handles, can contain thousands of bacteria, including some of the same varieties found on kitchen sponges. Use disinfecting wipes to sanitize remote controls, game pads, keyboards, cell phones, tablets, etc. You can also clean your touchscreen surfaces with a scratch-free product made for use on electronics.

The best way to keep germs under control is to clean these and other surfaces daily or as often as possible. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions when cleaning to prevent causing damage.