- Knobs, switches and handles
All door handles, knobs and light switches in the average home have the potential to get grimy, fast, and the more often they’re touched and by more hands, the more the grime level increases. Research has found that of all the knobs, handles and switches, the following ones tend to be the grimiest and most laden with potentially harmful bacteria:
- Light switches in the bathroom
- Handles on refrigerators/freezers
- Knobs on stoves
- Microwave handles
Maid Sailors Cleaning Service Chicago advises giving these grime gathering hotspots a quick clean every other day with a throwaway disinfecting wipe is a simple and effective solution.
- The bathroom
With the moisture that can quickly build up in a bathroom, not to mention dust, dirt and grime that is scrubbed off our bodies, bathrooms are veritable breeding grounds for germs and bacteria. Bathroom cleaning is the toughest part in the house cleaning. The following areas of the bathroom are often the dirtiest:
- Shower stall/tub
- Drains
- Faucets
- Floor around the toilet
- Bath towels
- Toothbrushes
All busy bathrooms should be thoroughly cleaned once a week, and disinfected at least every other day in the bacteria hotspots as mentioned above. Also try to replace all towels (hand and body) once a week and change toothbrushes every 3 to 4 months.
- The laundry
Germs can quickly breed in a damp washing machine, especially if wet laundry is left in it, so try to transfer it to the drier or line as quickly as possible. You can even clean the washer drum with disinfectant every now and then.
- Home office and living room
There are many items in home offices and living rooms that are touched frequently and which commonly harbor germs, such as remote controls, computer keyboards, phones and tablets. Many of the surfaces in these two spaces also contribute to bacteria growth and diversity. Use disinfectant wipes or even plain water and soap to clean items such as those mentioned previously, and use Q-tips to help you get into all the small nooks and crannies, such as between the keys on a computer pad or the buttons on a remote control.
- Personal items
It’s super easy to bring bacteria and viruses into the home from outside, and it’s not uncommon for yeast, fecal contamination and mold to be present on the following items:
- Cell phones
- Keys
- Wallet and money
- Lunch boxes
- Purses (especially at the bottom of them)
Most disinfecting wipes are effective against bacteria and viruses on electronics, and are perfectly safe to use, but you can buy special electronic-specific cleaning supplies if you prefer.
Why not have a professional cleaning service person come to your home at least once a week and thoroughly clean all your potential bacteria hotspots? That way, you don’t need to worry about getting sick from germs transmitted via surfaces, light switches and handles, while practicing good handwashing methods, too.
