h2. Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the germiest places in your home. This is because it is where food is prepared and eaten, providing opportunities for bacteria to spread.
The sink is a major problem area. Food particles and residue can build up, allowing bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli to thrive. I thoroughly scrub my sink daily using hot water, dish soap, and a disinfecting cleaner.
Cutting boards are another concern, especially if they develop deep grooves from knife use over time. Bacteria can hide in these grooves. I replace my plastic cutting boards often and hand wash my wooden boards with hot soapy water after each use.
The refrigerator can also harbor bacteria. I deep clean my fridge every few months by taking everything out and washing the shelves, drawers, and walls with a disinfectant. I also check expiration dates and throw out old food regularly.
The dish sponge is one of the germiest items, since it sits damp with food particles. I replace mine frequently or microwave it for a minute to kill germs.
Meat and poultry contain high levels of bacteria like E. coli. I’m careful to keep them sealed and stored on the bottom shelf of the fridge so juices don’t drip onto other food. I also wash my hands thoroughly after handling raw meat.
h2. Bathroom
The bathroom contains lots of bacteria and viruses due to bodily fluids and waste. Proper cleaning is essential.
The toilet unsurprisingly harbors many germs. I scrub the toilet bowl weekly using a toilet brush and bathroom disinfectant. I also disinfect the seat, lid, handle, and around the base.
Towels can collect bacteria from hands, bodies, and faces. I wash my towels frequently on the highest heat setting they can tolerate. I also replace toothbrushes every 3 months.
The shower can cultivate mold and mildew in the grout and corners. Allowing the shower to air dry after use and using a squeegee to wipe down walls helps prevent buildup. I scrub the shower walls and floors thoroughly weekly.
The sink holds germs from hands and toothbrushing. I wipe down the faucet and handles daily. For the sink basin, baking soda or vinegar work well for removing stains and disinfecting.
h2. Bedrooms and Living Spaces
Bedrooms and living spaces allow for bacteria to spread through increased human contact and shedding of skin cells.
Sheets and pillowcases should be washed weekly to remove body oils and dead skin cells that can transfer bacteria. I wash mine in hot water to sanitize.
Mattresses can contain dust mites and microbes that feed on dead skin cells shed during sleep. I use a mattress protector and vacuum the mattress regularly.
Clothes hampers hold dirty laundry that could potentially harbor germs. I empty clothes hampers frequently and wipe down the insides weekly with a disinfectant.
Electronics like phones and remotes get a lot of hand contact and can grow bacteria. I wipe these down regularly using disinfectant wipes.
Upholstered furniture and carpets accumulate dust, dirt, and microbes over time. I vacuum upholstery weekly and carpets every other week. Professionally steam cleaning carpets annually also helps sanitize them.
Doorknobs and light switches amass high levels of bacteria from frequent handling. I disinfect these high touch surfaces daily.
Regular cleaning and disinfecting using antibacterial cleaners, replacing items when necessary, and maintaining general cleanliness can help minimize bacteria across your home’s germiest hot spots. Proper hand hygiene after touching contaminated surfaces is also key. With diligence, you can reduce the spread of germs in your household.
