What are the dirtiest items found in the home?

1. Dish sponge/rags                  
   
    -Microwave wet sponges once a day for 2 minutes. Replace sponge every 2 weeks. 
    -Replace rags every other day and wash all rags in hot washing cycle with a touch of bleach. 
    
2. Kitchen sink and strainer  
   
    -Clean the sides and bottom twice a week. 
    -Fill sink with hot, soapy water and 1/4 cup bleach once per month
   -Let sit before scrubbing, draining, and rinsing.  
                                             
3. Tooth brush holder              
   
   -Mainly since they are usually found in the bathroom. 
   -Place holders in the dishwasher or wash in hot soapy water twice a week.
    
4. Pet bowls                                
   
   -Clean bowls in the dishwasher regularly. 
    -Or hand wash with diluted bleach solution and rinse thoroughly with clean water.
    
5. Coffee makers                   
   
    -The reservoir is a great breeding ground for micro-organisms.
   -Check cleaning instruction for your coffee maker.
    -A good practice is to clean the reservoir regularly by adding 4 cups of vinegar
   -letting it sit for 30 minutes
   -then brew the vinegar
    -Then run 2-3 cycles with fresh water through the coffee maker until the smell is gone.
    
6. Faucet (tap) handles           
   
   -Clean faucets daily with disinfectant wipes or spray
    
7. Pet toys                                 
   
   -Clean toys regularly.
   -Hard toys can be cleaned with soap and water or with a mild bleach solution (as above) and rinsed thoroughly with water
   -Soft toys can be placed in the dishwasher or washing machine
    
8. Kitchen counter                   
   
   -Rinse countertops with mild bleach solution after preparing food.
    
9. Stove knobs                          
   
    -Remove knobs once a week and wash with hot soapy water.
    
10. Cutting Boards                    
    
    -clean after each use with hot soapy water or place in the dishwasher.
    -Or a solution of bleach and water can also be used.

Other items which are high on the grungy list:

Home and cell phone                    

-Since phones get warm during use, bacteria thrives and gets transferred to our hands, face (eyes, nose, ears, and lips) 
-Clean with a disinfectant wipe or slightly moistened microfiber clothe and mild bleach solution
 

Your computer keyboard           

 -First turn your computer off
 -Vaccuum the keyboard to get particles from the cracks
-Wipe with a slightly dampened microfiber cloth with a mild bleach solution
-use a cotton swab for the crevices
-using a disinfectant spray will kill germs as well
 

Doorknobs                                       

-outside and inside your house or apartment, fridge, stove, and microwave.
-Wipe with a mild bleach solution and micro fiber cloth 
 

Pillows                                             

 -Are full of dead skin, bugs, and dust mites
 -Can be thrown in the washer
 

Washing Machine                        

 -Since bacteria grows in the washing machine it should be cleaned as well.
  -Add vinegar to your load of laundry if using a public washing machine.
 -For a home machines run the washing machine with a cycle of water and bleach once a month
 

Carpets and Rugs                          

-Do not use your outdoor shoes inside your home. 
-When moving into a new home or apartment have your carpets and rugs cleaned and clean the rugs regularly thereafter.
 

Your purse or handbag               

-This items follows you into public washrooms, is placed on the floor in a restaurant, or public transit
-Depending on the material either clean with a soap and water solution or a mild bleach and water solution.
-Do not place your purse on the kitchen counter unless it has just been clean

 -Wash in dishwasher or use a mild bleach and water solution   
 

Guide to Cleaning and Supplies:

        
 -use to clean and wipe
 -use a new cloth every day
-preferred to using cotton rags (more sanitary)
-wash all cloths in washing machine with hot water and bleach                
                

Vinegar                                             

-Is a good cleaning solution however bleach is better for killing germs
 -great for cleaning hard water deposits
 

https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/yuck-top-10-germiest-spots-in-your-home/
https://www.bustle.com/p/10-really-dirty-items-in-your-home-that-you-never-would-have-guessed-8394864
https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/doing-business/resources/Documents/Surface-Disinfection-Chlorine.pdf