The 15 Dirtiest Places in Your Home And When to Clean Them

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How truly clean is your home? It’s easy to spot the spilled coffee on the kitchen counter, but how often do you remember your range hood interior when cleaning? We all have those spots in our homes that get neglected a little too often.

Your family’s health depends on many things, and living in a clean and tidy home is one of them. Some of these overlooked areas can harbor more germs and allergens than you might think. Focusing on these commonly overlooked areas can keep your home looking spotless and create a healthier environment for everyone.

Here are some of the dirtiest places in your home and how often you should clean them.

1. Door Handles

You touch them all the time, but how often do you clean them? Door handles are one of the most germ-infested spots in any home. Think about it—every time you come in from outside, you grab the door handle, transferring all sorts of bacteria and viruses.

Use hand sanitizer to clean your door handles at least once a week. For those high-traffic areas, you might want to consider doing this more often. You can also mix water and vinegar for a natural cleaning solution.

2. Your Toilet Walls

Sure, you give the toilet bowl a good scrub, but what about the walls around it? These surfaces can catch splashes and harbor bacteria, especially in households with young children or pets.

Wipe down the walls around your toilet with a toilet cleaner every week (just not that dirty toilet brush!). Once a month, use a bleach-based cleaner safe for paint for a deep clean to keep germs at bay.

3. The Toothbrush Cup

Ever noticed that grimy gunk at the bottom of your toothbrush holder? That’s a mix of toothpaste residue, water, and bacteria. It’s not exactly something you want near your mouth.

Rinse out your toothbrush cup with hot water and soap once a week. For a deeper clean, soak it in a mixture of water and white vinegar for about 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

4. The Coffee Maker

Is your coffee tasting a little different lately? Coffee makers are breeding grounds for mold and bacteria, especially if they are not cleaned regularly. This can affect the taste of your coffee and even pose health risks.

Give your coffee maker a spa day once a month by running a refreshing cycle of equal parts water and vinegar. Follow up with two cycles of plain water to wash away any lingering vinegary vibes.

5. Your Home Office Desk

Your desk is where you get stuff done, but it’s also a magnet for dust, crumbs, and germs. From spilled coffee to sneezes, a lot happens here. Chances are, once you arrange your papers, you don’t remember to do any other cleaning.

Keep your desk germ-free by wiping it daily with a microfiber cloth and a gentle cleaner. And don’t forget your keyboard and mouse.

6. Faucets

Faucets are another high-touch surface that can be surprisingly dirty. They come into contact with everything from raw chicken juice to toothpaste, making them a hotspot for germs and grime.

Use a disinfectant wipe or spray to clean your faucets at least once a week. Pay special attention to the areas around the handles and spout where grime can build up.

7. Switches and Sockets

Light switches and power outlets are touched multiple times a day by different (and often dirty) hands, so they can easily become among the dirtiest spots in your home.

Clean your switches and sockets regularly with a damp cloth or disinfectant wipe weekly. Be cautious and avoid getting liquid into the electrical components; switch off the power before cleaning.

8. The Bathtub

Your bathtub may look clean, but soap scum and bacteria can build up, making it less sanitary than you’d like. The rinse you do after a long bath is good but not enough.

Scrub your bathtub with a bathroom cleaner every week. For a more thorough clean, use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to break down soap scum and disinfect.

9. Areas Around the Stove

Have you taken a good look at the wall (or floor) behind your stove? Soup, grease, and the occasional flying fried tomato can make the area around your stove incredibly dirty.

Wipe the area around your stove with a clean towel after each use. Use a degreaser to remove oily dirt as needed, depending on what you’re cooking. Then, remove the stove grates (if applicable) and soak them in hot, soapy water for a deep clean once a month.

10. The Pet Bed

Pet beds can harbor pet dander, dirt, and even fleas, making them one of the dirtiest places in your home. Your furry friend deserves a clean place to rest, too.

A pet bed can be tossed in the washing machine for a deep wash. In between washes, vacuum the bed itself to remove pet hair and dander.

11. The Kitchen Sink (and Sponges)

The kitchen sink is a strong contender for the dirtiest space in the house trophy. Food particles, grease, and bacteria can build up quickly.

Your daily cleaning must include scrubbing your kitchen sink with dishwashing liquid. Also, remember to clean the faucet and drain. For a deep clean, use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar weekly.

12. The Washing Machine

Your washing machine is supposed to clean your clothes, but if it is not maintained properly, it can also be a breeding ground for mold. Dirt and lint can also build up in the machine.

Run a hot water cycle with bleach once every month to keep your washing machine clean and fresh. The rubber seal and detergent dispenser need to be cleaned regularly as well.

13. Under the Beds

There are no monsters under the bed, but there may be lots of dust and allergens. It’s easy to forget these places that aren’t easily visible.

Vacuum under your beds whenever you clean your bedrooms, essentially daily or weekly. For hardwood floors, use a microfiber mop to capture dust and debris. Remove any clutter that may be stored under there to make it easy to clean.

14. The Ceiling Fan

Ceiling fans can collect a surprising amount of dust, especially on the top side. This dust is circulated around the room every time they are turned on.

Get up on a safe ladder and dust your ceiling fan blades often. To keep the dust from falling on furniture, use a pillowcase to trap the dust as you wipe each blade clean.

15. Kitchen Cabinet Tops

When did you last see the top of your kitchen cabinets? These out-of-sight spaces are often overlooked and need some gentle scrubbing, too. Collecting dust, grease, and even pests, these surfaces can become surprisingly grimy over time.

Plan to wipe the cabinets with a damp cloth and a gentle degreaser at least once a month.

Source

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