You probably run the vacuum and put away the dishes, but do you get to these 8 often overlooked areas?
Time to invest in some bleach!
Have you ever really looked at some of the stuff lying around your house? No? Well, maybe it’s time to start looking. What might look innocent could be filled with germs. Ewww! Let’s take care of these items now.
1. Coffeemaker
Is your coffeemaker making more than coffee? It might be making bacteria. You won’t be able to notice it, so plan to clean the maker and pot once a month.
Prevent the bacteria by filling it with a pot of white vinegar and let it sit for 30 minutes. Turn on the machine and let the vinegar run through one cycle. Follow up with clean water for at least one cycle.
2. Sponges and washrags
These dish-washing helpers can have mold, E. Coli and salmonella. It might even contain things that can cause allergic reactions and illnesses.
Prevent any unwanted build-up by microwaving a wet kitchen sponge for two minutes a day or throw it in the weekly laundry pile to wash in hot water. Change it every couple of weeks even after cleaning.
3. Knobs and buttons
How often you use your stove or microwave? What do you touch right before? Raw food? Sauces?
Prevent any stuck-on food by taking off knobs from your stove or microwave and wash them in hot soapy water. If your appliances have buttons or a touch screen, use a clean sponge and wipe down the surfaces.
4. Don’t forget the countertops
The areas you prep food can contain bacteria like E. Coli and salmonella. You’ve probably put the mail, a purse or even a young child to sit on the kitchen countertops.
Prevent the germs and spread of bacteria by wiping down countertops with hot soapy water and follow up with sanitizer wipes.
5. Yes, even the kitchen sink
Think of what you rinse and wash in the sink. Raw meat, fruit, vegetables, dirty dishes. A sponge sitting in the sink during these activities can build up a lot of nasty stuff that you eventually spread on the countertops, thinking you’ve cleaned them.
Prevent any unwanted germs by disinfecting the entire sink with bleach a couple times a week. Pour an extra teaspoon of bleach down the drain once a month.
6. Bathroom faucet, handles
This small device might be one of the dirtiest things in your home. The toilet handle and vanity countertops are a close second.
Prevent any germs by wiping these down once a day (especially if you have several people using the bathroom) with hot soapy water or a disinfectant.
7. Toothbrush holder
While wiping down the faucet and bathroom countertops, don’t forget the toothbrush holder. Your mouth has bacteria, so it’s obvious that your toothbrush has bacteria. Whatever you put your brush in has the potential to be germy as well. If you share the holder with others in your family, those germs will spread.
Prevent germ build up by putting the toothbrush holder in the dishwasher, assuming it’s safe. Or clean it with hot soapy water or disinfectant.
8. Pet Bowls
Do you have pets? Whether or not you subscribe to the theory that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s doesn’t hold much truth here. Germs can still be found on these dishes.
Prevent germs hanging out near the floor by washing out Buddy’s bowls with hot soapy water or put in the dishwasher (if they are dishwasher safe). Once a week, rinse with bleach water. (One cap bleach per gallon of water).
Building good habits
Germs and bacteria can be caught and stopped if we are proactive with cleaning. This new routine might sound laborious, but eventually it will become habit and this is one habit to keep.
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