What is the dirtiest thing in your house? Most of you will think about the toilet firstly, right? However, the fact is not! There are many everyday items that contain several thousand times more germs than the humble latrine such as your kitchen sink, your car, and other areas of your home. And in the post today we want to introduce 17 germ-infested things that you should clean out regularly to protect your house as well as your health. Check them out with us!
If you live in a house where overrun with certain germs, the health of all members in your house will be affected, especially your kids. It leads to worsened immunity, poor gut health and increased risk of allergies, and more. These diseases are caught in the home with common household items usually thought to be the trigger. So, to strike a happy living, and protect yourself from illness, make sure these germ-infested things to your household cleaning routine.
#1 Dish Cloths and Sponges
In one study, scientists discovered that there are one million bacteria per square inch on an average dishcloth and a whopping 10 million per square inch on a kitchen sponge…making them 200,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat! To avoid harboring bacteria, wash your sponges, kitchen towels, and cloths every other day on high heat. You can also zap sponges in the microwave for two minutes to kill the germs. Allow clothes to dry out between uses, as the bugs can’t survive for more than a few hours in dry fabrics.
#2 Other Cleaning Equipment
Research has found that 50% of vacuum cleaner brushes contained fecal bacteria and 13% were housing E. coli. These brushes, along with mop heads, brooms, dustpans and dusters should all be washed or replaced regularly. Likewise, your dishwasher and washing machine can be rife with microbes so monthly deep cleans are essential.
#3 Bath Towels
Dead skin cells and moisture provide a perfect breeding ground for bacteria which is why towels can be a high-risk item. To avoid this, wash and replace all your towels at least every three days and use vinegar in place of fabric softener to remove odors and improve the absorbency of the fabric.
#4 Cutting Boards
The average cutting board has about 200% more fecal bacteria than the average toilet seat highlighting the importance of practicing hygienic food preparation techniques. Keep separate boards for meats and vegetables and wash thoroughly with hot soapy water between uses.
#5 The Kitchen Sink
Food particles and sponges both contribute to the huge amount of bacteria found in the kitchen sink from the drains to the faucet. In fact, there may be over 500,000 bacteria in your kitchen sink…that’s about 1,000 times more than what’s in your toilet. You should scrub the sink and faucet once a day with a mild bleach and water solution. For those who prefer not to use chemicals, a blend of tea tree oil, dish soap, water, and baking soda will both whiten and sanitize.
#6 Welcome Mat
While a welcome mat can be vital in the fight against home allergens, they need to be regularly washed or sprayed with a natural disinfectant in order to do their job and kill the huge amounts of bacteria each mat houses.
#7 Toothbrushes
Bacteria, fungi, and viruses such as staph and herpes simplex can survive for months on your toothbrush, with scientists finding more than 100 million bacteria living in a single brush. Allow your toothbrush to dry between brushings (use a separate morning and night toothbrush if necessary); clean it regularly with castile soap and a few drops of essential oil, and replace it every three months, or more often if you fall ill.
#8 Make Up Brushes
It’s a fact that 72% of women never wash their cosmetics brushes or sponges, leading to a buildup of dirt and bacteria which cause facial outbreaks. To have flawless skin, and prevent other illnesses, it’s imperative that you wash make-up brushes and sponges once a week.
#9 Purses
Women’s handbags, particularly the leather variety! About one-third of all bags tested contained fecal bacteria on them – most notably on the bottom of the bag, but also on the handle and certain items inside like cosmetics tubs, business cards, and coins. To keep your bags clean, wipe or wash them regularly and avoid placing them on the bathroom floor or welcome mat!
#10 Coffee Machines
According to a swab test of office coffee machines, over 4 million colonies of harmful bacteria and mold – like E. coli, staphylococcus, and streptococcus – were found in the water tanks, pod compartment, spout, and tray.
