Ten Spots with the Most Germs at Home You Need to Clean Regularly

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Taking care of our health can be started by keeping our environment clean. The recommendation to stay at home during the pandemic can be a great opportunity to pay more attention to our homes’ cleanliness. There are a lot of places at home that can actually be the areas where germs thrive but are often missed when we’re cleaning the house.

You can start by cleaning these ten most common germ spots in your home. Simply put, the closer the area to water or humidity, the more likely it is to allow germs and bacteria to live, but there are also dry areas that may hoard harmful germs.

Doorknobs

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Hands are the riskiest media in spreading germs. Therefore, areas that we often touch are the most likely to contain germs. For example, doorknobs, refrigerator door, stove and even microwave oven handle.

Fridge

Food storage risks collecting germs especially when it is filled with raw food or ingredients. If the storing of food is not done properly, food may stale and this will allow germs to spread in the fridge. This can be avoided by keeping raw ingredients in an airtight container before storing it. Making a note of the storing date will help you know when the food is no longer edible. If this is the case, take it out immediately to prevent germs contaminating other food.

Stovetops

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Germs on stoves usually come from oil splash and spill while cooking. Stoves, especially gas stoves, have a lot of small gaps that are often out of reach when cleaning. Oil and fat stains are also difficult to remove, which often discourages homeowners to clean and makes stoves a place where germs accumulate.

Sink

Soap scum that is not meticulously cleaned will gradually cause the sink to turn black and mouldy. Germs accumulating here can make the kitchen smell bad and might be harmful for the homeowners’ health if not being taken care of. Therefore, clean the sink thoroughly after use.

Sponge

Just like sink, soap residue and oil from dirty dishes may turn sponges into a breeding spot. If sponges are left wet, germs can reproduce more quickly and will spread to the other dishes and cutleries washed by using those sponges. Make sure to clean recently-used sponges as thoroughly as possible, then put them in a dry place. It is advisable to change these sponges once a month to avoid collecting dangerous germs.

Cutting board

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As a place for preparing ingredients, a cutting board can be a breeding spot too. Germs carried by meat and vegetables, can stick themselves to the small slits of the board. These slits are usually created from the knife cuts. Therefore, it is important that you choose the material of the cutting board carefully and clean the board meticulously before and after use. If necessary, change your cutting board if there are too many slits on it.

Faucet

Although it is where water flows, a faucet may also be infested with germs. Like a doorknob, a faucet is often touched by different people. The nooks around the faucet can become the place for germs to hide and spread from hands to hands as homeowners finish washing their hands.

Floor Drain

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This is the area in the bathroom where tiny objects are carried by flowing water and trapped in a filter. Germs may grow rapidly in this area. If left unattended, the waterway will not only get clogged but also filled with germs that can produce bad odour in the bathroom. Therefore, pay more attention to the cleanliness of the floor drain at home and clean this area by a routine disinfection.

Toothbrush Holder

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Toothbrush holders are generally glasses that can hold water carried by a recently-used, wet toothbrush. If we let it be, the remaining water can be a medium for germs to thrive and stick themselves to toothbrushes. And it is possible that those germs then move into human’s mouth when the infested toothbrush is used again. For this reason, it is recommended to clean the holder routinely and choose a holder that drain water. If necessary, use toothbrushes that are equipped with a cover to avoid further contamination.

Carpets

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Besides wet places, dry areas also have the potential to be a germ breeding spot. One of them is the carpet. The risk of germs gathering will be higher if you use a fuzzy long furry rug. Even for the shorter furry rugs, it is equally important to clean them with a vacuum cleaner every day. If necessary, have them cleaned by a professional dry-cleaner/laundry service to keep it clean and proper.

By scheduling regular spraying of liquid disinfectant, you can also prevent the contamination of germs in those susceptible areas. By living in a healthy home, we can surely take better care of our health.

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