You may be surprised by where dirt, grime, and bacteria lurk in your house.
Here are the places and items that harbor gunk and how to clean them.
Dirt and grime can lurk in unexpected places in the home.
Credit: Kim Cornelison
Find out where you’ll find the dirtiest places in your houseand exactly how to clean each area.
Coffee Maker
Your coffee maker is likely one of the germiest places in the home.
Finish the cycle, then repeat with clean water to flush away any lingering vinegar scent.
Credit: Beth Singer
This is because the desk surface, keyboard, and mouse are all high-touch surfaces rarely cleaned.
Luckily, disinfectant wipes provide an easy wayto clean each of these surfaces.
Consider wringing out excess liquid from the wipe before cleaning electronic items to avoid dripping moisture into the openings.
Credit: Laurey Glenn
Wipe down each surface every few days to keep germs at bay.
“And you’re brushing your teeth with that water.
Gently brush all parts with an old toothbrush to remove any remaining residue, then screw it back on.
Credit: Jim Franco
“Yet everyone touches them, so they have the most opportunity for germs.”
“Very few people ever clean this area.”
Break out the stepladder and yourvacuum’shose attachment (or a wet/dry vac) for this chore.
Credit: Emily Followill
A small hand broom and dustpan will do the trick, too.
Do this task first so any stray dust lands on surfaces you haven’t cleaned yet.
Lightly mist a dry tub, and you’re done.
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“No need to wipe it up because hydrogen peroxide evaporates quickly,” Harmon says.
Forwhirlpool tubs, cycle disinfectant through the pipes monthly according to the manufacturer’s directions.
“I have one of those super powerful black lights that you see on the CSI shows.
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Christian says the best cleaners for thewalls around the toiletscontain enzymes to break down the organic material.
Spray the walls and let sit for at least a few minutes so the enzymes can work.
Then wipe down with a damp towel.
Credit: Laurie Black
You’ll have to pull thestoveaway from the wall to clean this area.
Make this easier and protect your flooring with furniture sliders under the feet of the stove.
(A bath mat with the carpet side down works, too.)
Credit: Adam Albright
If you have a gas stove with a flexible hose, pull until the hose is almostbut not entirelyextended.
Use a goodall-purpose cleaneron the adjacent cabinets and floor.
There’s a simple fix: Keep toothbrushes in a moveable, easy-to-clean cup.
Credit: Cameron Sadeghpour
Soak the cup in warm water mixed with a little bleach for half an hour.
Rinse, then soak in clean water for another 30 minutes to remove the bleach residue.
Better yet, use a cup you could toss in thedishwasher.
Credit: Robert Brinson
Inside the Refrigerator
Sticky takeout containers and long-forgottenleftoversmingle in a space multiple hands touch daily.
For best results, avoid using chemical cleaners here, Johnson says.
Instead, fill your sink with hot water anddishwashing liquid.
Credit: Mark Lund
Remove items from onerefrigeratorshelf, then remove the shelf itself.
Wash it in the sink, dry it with a microfiber cloth, and replace it in the fridge.
Repeat for the remaining shelves.
“The TV remote is one of the germiest surfaces in your home,” Harmon says.
Use a disinfectant wipe to clean remotes often.
To get in between the buttons, try a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
