We all take pride in the cleanliness and tidiness of our home, however while a weekly or bi-weekly housekeeper can keep up with regular house cleaning chores, there are certainly areas that require more attention, or appliances and furnishings that will be ignored unless you specifically request they be done.
We’ve created a list of some often-overlooked, and usually bacteria-infested areas of the average home.
1. Pet toys & dog dishes
Those fun little balls and stuffies that our fur babies play with, chew on until they’re slimy and wet, then leave laying somewhere on the floor until the next time. They should be cleaned at least once a week. Scrub the hard toys with soap and water and put the soft ones through a wash cycle in your clothes washing machine. And your pet’s dishes should be cleaned daily, and sanitized at least once a week as well. Run them through the dishwasher on the sanitation cycle or wash and sanitize thoroughly by hand.
2. Coffee makers
They’re dark, warm and moist, so a haven for bacteria! How do you even clean these contraptions? We recommend filling with 4 cups of vinegar, letting it sit for 30 minutes, then brew. Continue with 3 cycles of fresh water.
3. Area Rugs
When was the last time you gave your area rug a could carpet cleaning? It’s one of those permanent fixtures in our homes that get shaken out and vacuumed yet rarely deep cleaned. Many allergens can take up root in these beautiful pieces of decor so give yourself a treat this year and rent a carpet cleaner or hire someone to come in and clean your big area rugs and your carpets as well.
4. Dish sponges
Are you in the school of thought that dish rags & sponges are self-cleaning, because you’re constantly washing them in soap? We know people who believe this, but this could not be more wrong. In a recent study it was found that 77% harbored coliform bacteria, 86% contained yeast and mould, and 18% had staph bacteria! To beat the bacteria, microwave sponges daily for 2 minutes and change out rags daily.
5. Bath mats
Similarly to area rugs, bath mats and welcome mats can collect a lot of allergens, moisture, and bacteria from the bottom of our shoes. Throw your bath mats and welcome mats in the washer once a week to stay on top of this and ensure that when you step out of the shower, you’re stepping onto a luxuriously clean surface.
6. Curtains/drapes
The dust that has likely collected on your curtains and drapes can be the cause of allergies and respiratory problems in family members. Because they’re often bulky and difficult to remove and launder (or send for professional cleaning) as well as not being obviously ‘dirty’, curtain-cleaning can be ignored for a very long time. It’s important to vacuum them monthly and do a deep clean according to the appropriate directions every 6 months.
7. Shower curtains
The thing that keeps us from splashing water everywhere as we clean ourselves is a haven for germs and bacteria. If possible, wash in hot water and dry on high heat in the dryer. Hang plastic curtains to dry.
8. Reusable shopping bags
Some studies have discovered that reusable shopping bags, those same bags we routinely carry our groceries home in, are dirtier than the inside of a toilet bowl! Imagine that your meat has leaked and then your fresh fruits and veggies go into the same bag again and again – wash your shopping bags once a week in hot water and dry on high heat if safe to do so.
9. Garbage bins & cupboards
How careful are you when you put your food scraps in the garbage? We often see particles of food falling into the bottom of the bin and the garbage cupboard. That’s why it’s so important to disinfect the bin every time you take out the garbage. Use a sanitizing solution to wipe down the inside and outside prior to relining with a garbage bag.
10. Fridge crispers & shelves
The fridge crispers and shelves should be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Keep it cleaner longer by pre-washing and prepping your fruits and vegetables prior to putting them into the fridge.
Most of these problem areas can easily be dealt with by your regular house cleaning service if they’re given some notice, or by yourself once you have the awareness. So often we get busy with work, kids and life, and although we take care of the obvious things like floors, countertops and bathrooms, it’s easy to let the less visible things go a bit too long for our good health. Avoid the potential germ and bacteria hazards by putting these on a list and taking care of them in your method of choice.