It’s essential to properly clean and sanitise these bad bacteria spots as they may cause allergies and sickness in the long- term if over-looked.
The pandemic scare has got everybody cleaning and sanitising their homes to keep the virus away. However, there are certain spots in your home that may appear clean enough but it requires your attention. Not all bacteria are bad, some are good and keep you protected but there are certain bad bacteria that multiply every 20 minutes and with the right temperature.
Household spots that unquestionably require cleaning and sanitising on regular basis – the toilet, countertops, and floors. But there are many other spots where grime, bacteria and dirt pile over and as a general rule of thumb, these spots should be cleaned regularly.
Here are the seven dirtiest spots in your home
1. Electronics – Often, the most used electronics need to be cleaned every now and then as they contain a lot of germs. It can be tricky to clean them considering the screen and the touch function can cause irreplaceable damage if you are not careful. Always check the owner’s manual before you begin. If you don’t have it, manufacturers often put this information on their websites.
Switch off your device before cleaning. Spray the disinfectant and if you have a microfibre cloth or a clean rag , wipe it clean. If you notice a lot of grime, let the disinfectant stay for a minute or so and then wipe it clean.
2. Doorknobs/Cupboard handles – These are highly touched surface areas. These spots often go unnoticed because it appears clean enough. However, they gather a lot of germs that should be cleaned regularly.
There are plenty of disinfectant sprays available in the market. You can use any of them, but make sure it is a good brand. Avoid going with a brand that you have never heard about. Spray the disinfectant and let it sit for five minutes and then wipe down with a cloth. If you want to opt for something natural use – a homemade disinfectant. Take equally parts of baking soda and water, mix them well and pour it in a spray bottle.
3. Light switches – One of the most uncleaned spots of them all. Have you ever stopped to think about how many times you flip the lights on and off? When was the last time you cleaned your light switches? Do you notice a layer of grime around them? These have been collected over time and need your attention.
To tackle the grime, all you need is a brush and some cleaner that will easily take care of the dirt. Mix one part of baking soda and two parts of vinegar, use a toothbrush to scrub gentle around the switch and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Use a damp cloth to wipe clean.
4. Faucets/bathroom – Faucets and bathrooms have a lot of bacteria as they are moisture- prone zones. If you look closely enough, you will notice grime collected in the corners that should be cleaned right-away. Germs and bacteria thrive on moisture. Faucets and bathrooms provide them with an environment to thrive on.
You will need a little stronger agent that will not only clean but also remove the grime easily. Make a paste out of one part of baking soda and two parts of vinegar, use a brush to scrub the corner and let it sit for over five minutes. Wipe it with a cloth and spray some disinfectant. Spraying disinfectant in the end will prevent grime from gathering grime immediately. Do this once in a week or fort nightly depending.
5. Remote controls – How often do you use your remote control of your TV, set-top boxes, air-conditioners? How often have you thought about cleaning them? if you take a little closer look, you may find pesky particles stuck between the button or grime around the buttons.
To clean your remote controls, you will need toothpicks, cleaning agent/-baking soda and water in a spray bottle and a cloth. Start by removing the batteries and replace the cover. Then, dampen a cloth with a cleaning agent and go over the entire remote, paying special attention to the spaces between the buttons. For any narrow grooves, use a cotton swab, just be careful not to get any liquid into the controls.
If there are any pesky crumbs stuck in-between buttons, use a toothpick to gently dislodge them. Finally, dry the remote with a lint-free cloth and replace the batteries.
6. Banisters – Banisters are important for seniors as you grip your hand on it to climb the stairs. Hence it is essential to get them cleaned once every day. The banisters may look clean, but did you know there are germs thriving on it. You may also notice some visible dust and debris that have collected in certain areas.
Start with a wiping off the dust and debris. Then spray a generous amount of disinfected on the banister – top, sides and bottom, since these are the areas that hand tends to grip. Let the disinfectant dry on its own.
7. Garbage bins – How often do you get your garbage bins cleaned? It is important to clean the garbage bin as much as you can. Since it stores all the dirt from your house – dust, kitchen waste, empty bottles, leftover foods, you name it, it’s the garbage bin after all. Hence it is even more important to keep it clean as it may cause a bacterial infestation and diseases if things go out of hand.
To properly tackle that grime, pour the bin with warm and soapy water. Let it sit for a couple of minutes. Wear heavy-duty rubber gloves and scrub with a heavy-duty cleaning brush. Then rinse, air dry, and spray all sides with a disinfectant spray.
