10 Common Household Items That Are Dirtier Than You Think

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Being clean at home shouldn’t be that hard, just wash here, wipe there, and you’re done, right? However, some of the sneakiest bacteria hotspots are items we see every day, and often use without a second thought. You wouldn’t believe how filthy these everyday household items can be, sometimes even more germ laden than the average toilet seat!

These “hidden” offenders are so small that they slip under the radar of daily cleaning and pick up gunk from hands, the air, or any surface they touch. We’ll take a look below at some of the dirtiest items you might be overlooking and why they may deserve a little more attention.

Kitchen Sponge

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It’s a bacterial bomb that’s waiting to go off: the humble kitchen sponge. On the way to scrubbing dishes, counters and sinks, it soaks up food particles and bacteria, making it the perfect breeding ground for germs. In fact, according Health Me PA, more bacteria are found on a kitchen sponge than a toilet seat! To kill the germs living in its pores, washing it with water or dish soap isn’t enough, try microwaving it for a minute while damp or tossing it in the dishwasher on a high heat setting to decrease the bacterial load.

Toothbrush Holder

Our toothbrush holders don’t just catch stray drops of water. They’re sitting out on the bathroom counter and every time you flush the toilet, or use your toothbrush, they’re exposed to airborne bacteria. It can be rinsed out regularly to keep the the holder clean, and then cleaned with soap and warm water. To get it really clean, soak it in mild disinfectant solution once a week or maybe even twice a week to keep it fresh and hygenic.

Remote Controls

When was the last time you sanitized your remote? Every channel change, snack break, hands off transfer, remotes accumulate a layer of oils, crumbs and germs from whoever uses them. They’re rarely cleaned, left out in common areas, and are a hotspot for bacteria. Once a week, give them a wipe with an alcohol based cleaner and take care of the tiny gaps between buttons.

Kitchen Sink

After a quick rinse, it might be shiny, but kitchen sinks are full of bacteria, particularly after food prep. Bacteria that cling to the sink’s surface can be left behind by any raw meat or unwashed vegetables rinsed here. However, to get the sink completely clean, scrub it with a mix of baking soda and water, then sanitize by using a bleach solution diluted or disinfecting cleaner (at least once per week).

Light Switches

These high touch surfaces are often forgotten in cleaning sprees. Light switches collect germs with every flick on and off from everyone who touches them. Through time, they build up layers of invisible grime that can be tough to miss. But it’s worth going around the house once a week with a disinfecting wipe to tackle all those switches, particularly in the bathroom and kitchen where germs are most prevalent.

Phone Screens

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Your phone is with you everywhere, from the car to the bathroom, and it’s picking up bacteria along the way. Phone screens are ten times dirtier than a toilet seat, according to a University of Michigan study. Dust your phone down with a microfiber cloth and a screen safe disinfecting wipe or spray every day to keep it clean and stop it from transferring germs to your face and hands.

Cutting Boards

If you’re not sanitizing your cutting boards, especially the ones you use for meat, regularly, you are at risk of cross contamination. Bacteria can hide even when your knife is washed regularly in the small cuts and grooves your knife leaves where faces are not washed. Although plastic cutting boards can go in the dishwasher, wooden ones need a good scouring with hot water and a little dish soap, then a disinfecting soak in vinegar and water.

Refrigerator Handles

How many times a day do you reach for something in the fridge? Fridge handles are one of those most touched items in the kitchen – they help you prepare, help you snack…. They can get dirty pretty quickly, especially because they’re easy to miss when you’re cleaning things up. By wiping those handles with a disinfecting cleaner, once a week, bacteria does not have time to multiply.

Pillows and Pillowcases

The pillows themselves usually get forgotten, but we might wash our pillowcases regularly. They are a cozy home for allergens and bacteria over time, they absorb sweat, dead skin cells, and even dust mites. See if your pillow’s washing instructions say to wash or replace them at least every three to six months. A quick tumble in the dryer on high heat can kill any lingering germs if they can’t go in the washer.

Reusable Grocery Bags

While reusable bags are great for the environment, they also serve as magnets for germs from fresh produce, packaged meats and even the trunk of your car. Bacteria builds up because most people never clean them. You can toss fabric bags in the washing machine, and wipe plastic ones down with a disinfecting wipe or spray to get them clean and safe for your groceries every few times they’re used.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.