#26. Door Handles
Think about that one thing at home that you touch over, and over, and over, and over. Now think about the amount of dirt and germs that are passed from someone's hands onto a door handle and vice versa. These things are loaded with dirt, and it is important to keep them clean on a regular basis, especially when guests come to the house.
Luckily, cleaning them is very, very simple. Using a rag with some disinfectant product on it or just simply wiping it with an antibacterial wet wipe will get rid of all the germs on the door handle. Remember to clean both door handles on every door, especially those that lead people in and out of the home.
#25. Lampshades
It is safe to say that most people overlook cleaning their lampshades. After all, we barely ever touch them, and they are just... there. But the reality of the situation is that these things are dust magnets. If you think about it, you may even be guilty of never, ever cleaning them, and they have probably accumulated lots of dust over time.
Remove the shade from the lamp, fill the tub or the sink with warm water and drop a little laundry detergent in it, and put the shade inside. Let it soak, and then wipe it with a microfiber cloth to get rid of all the dust. Rinse it with clean water and then let it dry.
#24. Light Switches
What do people touch as often as they touch door handles? Light switches. in fact, people probably touch light switches even more. It usually goes over people's heads to clean these bad boys, but they are very, very dirty. It is important to keep them disinfected to prevent the spread of nasty pathogens that can risk our lives.
This problem can be solved in just a few seconds, and all one needs is a microfiber cloth with just a little all-purpose cleaner or just a regular antibacterial wipe. Don't even think of spraying the product directly onto the switch because you could ruin it. In fact, when it comes to anything that has electricity, just don't do it.
#23. Pillows
It is the most common thing in the world to wash bedsheets (which, FYI, you should wash every week), but what is not so common is to wash pillows and duvets. When you think about it, you may arrive to the conclusion that washing the pillow case is enough, and the short answer is yes. But over time, the pillow itself will absorb and accumulate a lot of dust and bacteria within its fibers.
It is recommended to wash them at least twice a year, or with every change of the season, if you want to be extra thorough. The cleaning method depends on the pillow, and some even say how they should be cleaned on the label. Some are easily cleaned in the washing machine, so it literally takes no time to do it.
#22. Houseplants
Houseplants are a cheap and easy way to bring some life into your home. They look great, and all they need is some water every few days... right? Well, the harsh truth is that they also need to be cleaned every once in a while. If you've never cleaned them before, they may be covered in dust and, even worse, there may be some insects in them.
You don't need to clean them every day, but some regular cleaning to get rid of the dust will do. The trick is to use lukewarm water because cold water may damage the leaves. If the plant is small, you can put it in the sink and gently wash it, but if it is too big for that, you can do it in the tub.
#21. Toilet Brushes
We use toilet brushes to get rid of some of the nastiest stuff us humans are able to produce. But as you know, toilet brushes don't come with an antibacterial forcefield that protects them from all the pathogens that they get in contact with. More often than not, toilet brushes are 100x more disgusting than the toilet itself.
The best way to keep it as clean as can be is to clean it right after using it. After cleaning the toilet, spray it generously with disinfectant and after letting it sit for a few minutes, rinse it with the hottest water possible. The wet brush should be placed back in the brush cup only when t is dry.
#20. Remote Controls
Another object that people are touching all the time is the remote control. Think about how many times you've touched every single one of its buttons, and how much bacteria they have on them as a result. Given the amount of times these things are touched, they should be cleaned very regularly -daily even.
So no matter how clean your house is, if your remote is dirty, then everything is compromised. Make a habit of disinfecting your remote every week or at least, once a month. Also, wash your hands before using them, that will save you some trouble.
#19. Under the Fridge
Cleaning the fridge is pretty annoying, but it's necessary. It is important to empty the fridge and give it a good wipe at least every three months, because a lot of mildew and mold can grow inside of it. And, of all places, the place where your food is stored should be a priority.
People already don't clean their fridge, so imagine how very few people take the time to move the fridge and clean the space under it. It is vital to also move the fridge and clean underneath it. That is because a lot of food sometimes gets lost under there, plus water and other liquids.
#18. Ice Makers
Even those who thoroughly clean their fridge forget to pay attention to the ice maker. Sure, we don't really put out dirty hands in it and only water goes through it, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't get dirty. The truth is that water can also let bacteria and mold grow, and if the ice maker is not properly clean, a lot of nasty stuff can grow inside.
An important sign that the ice maker needs some cleaning is if the ice cubes are coming out looking cloudy or smelling weird. The worst part is that all that bacteria ends up in your system as you put these cubes in your drink, so make sure to sanitize the ice maker at the very least twice a year. You can use vinegar and lemon juice to clean it, mixed with a little water.
#17. Hairbrushes
It is actually important to clean hairbrushes regularly because anything that comes in contact with your skin should be clean. Also, there's tons of ugly stuff that your hairbrush accumulates: dust mites, lint, dust, natural oils from your hair, and dead skin cells, on top of all the old hair you can clearly see when you look at it.
The first step in keeping them clean is to remove all the hair that is stuck in the hairbrush once a week. Then, once a month, the brush should be washed with your fingers and a little shampoo under the bathroom sink. If it's too dirty, an old toothbrush you don't need anymore may help you get rid of all the grease and dirt stuck in it.
#16. Washing Machines
At first, it sounds kind of ironic that a thing called the washing machine would need to be washed, but that is very, very true. This life-saving machine takes in tons of dirty clothes full of stains, bacteria, germs, and more, and washes them at least once a week. All that dirt may remain inside the washing machine.
Luckily for all of us, most washing machines come with a setting to wash themselves. If your machine doesn't have one, simply run any cycle without any clothes inside and with the hottest water possible and only add a little vinegar where the detergent goes. The same works for the dishwasher, which also collects tons of dirt and bacteria.
#15. Heating Vents
Have you taken a look at your air vents recently? You may have noticed they are covered in dust and lint. Well, if they look bad on the outside, just imagine how much dirt is trapped inside. A big problem with vents that most people don't notice is that when they are clogged with dust, they don't work properly, and your money is wasted.
It is important to remove the dust every once in a while, and get them professionally cleaned on the inside every 3 to 5 years. There's lots of things that can grow inside heating vents, such as mold and viruses. Not only that, but vermin such as rats or cockroaches might find them a cozy place to live, and you certainly don't want that.
#14. Light Bulbs
Older, outdated light bulbs usually need to be changed very often, which is a waste of money, time, and energy. Nowadays, most people are choosing LED light bulbs, which can give cheaper and better energy and last up to 11 years, as opposed to the measly 1,000 hours of energy that regular bulbs offer.
While this all sounds awesome, LED bulbs need to be cleaned regularly because they can gather up a lot of dust. We never touch the bulbs and they are always stuck in the same place, accumulating dust and dirt. Now imagine what your LED bulb will look like in 11 years! Make sure to wipe the dust off every one in a while.
#13. Yoga Mats
After a good workout, we usually toss our dirty, sweaty gym clothes into the hamper as soon as possible because let's face it, they are just gross. Why don't we give the same treatment to the exercise or yoga mat where we put our sweaty, gross bodies while we work out though?
Most people don't even think about disinfecting these mats, which is a huge mistake. It is like wearing the same gym clothes every time you work out! Make sure that you wipe your mat down after every single workout to avoid nasty bacteria growing on them. You can also use a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water and a cloth.
#12. Pet Toys
We love our pets with every bit of our heart, but we have to admit that they are very, very dirty. Have you ever seen your pet wash their hands after going to the bathroom? Nope. Cats at least groom themselves every day, but that doesn't eliminate any bacteria on them. And let's not even talk about how dirty dogs are!
Our beloved pets also love their squeaky toys, and these must be cleaned often. Luckily, most toys are easy to clean, and putting them in the washing machine or in the dishwasher will usually do the trick. And if the toy is just too old, just throw it away for the sake of your pet's health.
#11. Bathroom Objects
When we think about the dirtiest part of the bathroom, we instantly think of the toilet, right? Well, that is true, but in actuality, every inch of the bathroom is gross. When we go to the bathroom, some of the bacteria gets into the air and lands all over the place, making every spot of the bathroom home to a good amount of germs.
In fact, a study revealed that every square inch in any given bathroom has an average of 452 bacteria on it.Therefore, it is important to regularly clean all surfaces regularly, including all elements in the room like the soap dispenser, shelves, and any decoration you have in there. Make sure you use disinfectant when doing so!
#9. Dish Drying Racks
Much like the washing machine and the dishwasher, we don't think that the dish drying rack, where we usually put our clean dishes, is a particularly dirty object in our house. But the truth of the matter is that, like every single item on our list, it is the opposite.
The big problem with drying racks is that they are usually wet, and this allows a lot of germs to grow on them. The key is to keep it dry as much as you can. If it is possible, consider switching to a dishwasher because it is more effective, cleaner, and saves time and energy.
#8. Curtains
Curtains are one of those things that are usually overlooked until it is too late. Much like pillows, we forget that they need to be cleaned too, and by the time we realize how dirty they are, they are too gross to handle. Unfortunately, curtains can collect a lot of dust, so it is a good idea to clean them every 3 to 6 months.
Very dusty curtains make life for people with allergies even harder, so make sure to keep them clean. Read the label of the curtains to see how they are supposed to be washed and give them the proper care. If you're lazy, make sure you buy washing-machine-friendly curtains so that cleaning them is not such a hassle.
#7. Showerheads
As we've mentioned before, wet surfaces are more prone to the growth of bacteria than dry surfaces. And what object in our house is wet most of the time? That's right, the showerhead. The worst part about it is that, if the showerhead contains harmful bacteria, it will literally shower you with it.
Showerheads are cozy places for bacteria to thrive. Most of the bacteria that grows there is harmless, but some dangerous bacteria, particularly one affecting your lungs, can grow there. Drop the showerhead into a bowl with equal parts vinegar and water and let it soak for a few hours to kill all germs.
#6. Refrigerator Coils
We've talked about cleaning the fridge and also moving it to clean the flow underneath it, so while we're at it, let's talk about another important part of the fridge you should be cleaning: the coils. If you turn your fridge and take a look at the back of it, you might notice that it is covered in dust.
While you should be cleaning your fridge every week, you should do a deep cleaning twice a year at the very least, where you also take care of these nasty fridge coils. If you have a pet in the house, then you should clean it twice as often because of all the pet hair that is probably caught in there. Make sure you disconnect the fridge before you do clean it!
#5. Cellphones
This one is becoming increasingly popular because of the recent news shaking the world, but it is still important to mention it. One thing that most people are guilty of is taking their phones to the bathroom, and you can imagine the amount of bacteria that gets on the phone when it is handled by dirty bathroom hands.
Not only that, we are touching our phone all the time and placing it on every surface around the house: the kitchen counter, the desk, the dining table, the bathroom sink, and we are transporting all the germs on it to every surface. It is important to clean your phone every day with a wipe or with a special phone cleaner in order to get rid of all the dirt on it.
#4. Toothbrush Holders
When we are done using our toothbrush, we usually rinse it with water and then place it inside the toothbrush holder. The problem with this is that, because the toothbrush is usually wet, the toothbrush holder keeps getting drop after drop, several times a day. And what happens when there's a wet surface? A bacteria party, of course!
It has happened to the best of us: by the time we realize we haven't cleaned it in a while, the toothbrush holder is incredibly disgusting. But the solution is very simple: clean it every week. Like every item found in the bathroom, the toothbrush holder should be properly disinfected at least once a week to make sure nothing gross grows inside of it.
#3. Reusable Grocery Bags
One of the very first lessons we get from the adult world is that we must wash out fruits and vegetables before we consume them because they can contain all kinds of dirt, bacteria, and even bugs. When you think about it, it is only logical to clean the grocery bags they come in too.
Reusable grocery bags have been a great improvement for our world now that global warming is about to burn us to a crisp. Plastic bags are wasteful and not friendly to the environment at all, so it is a great idea to use reusable bags to save our planet. Just make sure you also keep them clean so as not to transfer germs from item to item.
#2. Keys
Another item we are constantly touching is our keys, but they are even worse than any other item we've seen on our list before (except maybe your cellphone), because we bring them in and out of the house every single day, and we place them on different surfaces, transferring bacteria from one surface to the other.
Then, we touch them with our hands, and then we put them inside our pockets and bags. The result is a bunch of contaminated items that can put our lives at risk. Make sure you always keep your keys in the same place so that they don't touch a bunch of different surfaces, and wipe them down with disinfectant as often as you can.
#1. Game Consoles
Game consoles should be cleaned regularly for many different reasons. The first one is the same reason that affects most objects in the house: dust. The console can gather a lot of dust that can eventually get inside of it and damage the CPU and its other processors. This can potentially slow it or even worse, destroy it.
Another important reason to clean it regularly is, of course, the bacteria on it. The controllers in particular can accumulate a lot of dirt because people touch them with their fingers constantly, and many a time, without having washed their hands or while having snacks. Disinfect the joysticks with an antibacterial wipes as often as possible.