You vacuum, you mop, and from time to time, you even break out the duster—that must mean your house is pretty clean, right? Not exactly. There are countless areas of your home—and objects within it—that you didn’t know you should be cleaning, but are far filthier than you’d ever imagined. So, where are these germy areas found? Read on to discover what professionals say you should be cleaning—but aren’t.
Your windowsills
Just because your windowpanes are shiny and clear doesn’t mean you’ve finished cleaning.
“Windowsills collect a lot of dust and moisture that causes bacteria to grow, which in turn can cause damage,” explains Benjamin Nguyen, owner of Full Color Cleaners, who recommends wiping those sills down regularly with a wet cloth.
Under your shower door
Sure, you’ve scrubbed the tub, but have you looked under the shower door?
“You should be cleaning underneath the shower door seal and removing all the soap scum before it becomes mildew and starts spreading,” says Paula Garrison, owner of Maid Solution. To do so, Garrison recommends mixing vinegar and water in a spray bottle, coating the surface, and scrubbing. When you’re finished, apply a diluted bleach solution and wipe dry after five minutes
Your bathroom décor
Even though your bathroom décor may not seem particularly grimy, there are over 452 bacteria per square inch on the shelves where your powder room accessories rest. So, wipe down your bathroom décor at least once a month with disinfectant to settle the score with those household germs.
Your toothbrush holder
According to one study from cleaning experts NSF International, 27 percent toothbrush holders contain harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli. In order to stem the spread of this bacteria in the future, clean your toothbrush holders with bathroom disinfectant at least once a week.
Under your sofa
It may not be the easiest place to clean, but make no mistake: that space under your sofa is a hotbed of dirt and germs.
“You’ll be amazed at what food or dirt gets pushed under, especially if you have a hardwood floor,” says Richard Kennedy, owner of The Vacuum Experts. His recommendation? Making a concerted effort to get under the couch every two or three times you break out the vacuum, especially if you’re a pet owner.
Your kitchen sponge
That sponge you’ve been using to clean your home is pretty germy itself. Fortunately, sanitizing it is simple: “You can usually saturate it with water and then zap it in the microwave,” says Kathy Turley, director of marketing for Home Clean Heroes.
However, that doesn’t mean you should keep the same sponge forever. “If it looks dirty, smells dirty, or is starting to come apart, it’s definitely time to say goodbye and replace it,” says Turley.
Inside and behind your fridge
If you’re not regularly cleaning the inside of your fridge, it’s high time you started. Researchers from Microban Europe discovered multiple dangerous strains of bacteria just inside your refrigerator (you know, the place where your next meal is waiting).
“In addition to wiping down the doors and the inside of the refrigerator, make sure to clean the top, underneath and most importantly, behind your refrigerator,” says Turley. “When the coils on the fridge get clogged with dust, grime or even pet hair, it can hinder the fridge’s ability to do what it does—keep your food cold.”
Your dish rack
The dish-drying rack is another place that you rely upon to stay clean and bacteria-free—so why aren’t you making the effort to keep it spotless? As reported in The Atlantic, while you should be steering clear of hand-washing and opting to wash your dishes in a dishwasher instead, if you’re don’t have one, there’s no need to panic. For a truly clean hand-washing experience, be sure to keep the dish rack dry at all times, and keep the rack clean of grime by washing it with soap and hot water weekly.
Your reusable grocery bags
Those reusable bags are great for the environment, but they still require a thorough cleaning, according to the American Cleaning Institute. In fact, you should be cleaning them after each grocery trip, following the care guidelines laid out on the fabric care label. Along with these deep cleans, avoid storing your bags in the car, where heat and moisture can trigger further bacterial growth.
Your trash cans
Yes, they’re regularly filled with trash—but that doesn’t mean your trash cans don’t deserve a good cleaning from time to time.
“Just get an all-purpose cleaner (or dilute dish soap with water) and spray over the outside and inside of the can,” suggests Turley. Afterward, she recommends scrubbing the can, rinsing it, and drying it off with a microfiber cloth. If your can’s especially stinky, Turley recommends adding a few dryer sheets at the bottom of the can to tackle any lingering odors.
Your washing machine
Those magical machines that allow us to wear clean clothes every day are also subject to the spread of bacteria. According to green living expert Leslie Reichert, if your clothes smell like mildew directly after a wash cycle, it might be time to do a deep clean of the machine. Fortunately, the deep clean doesn’t require much effort on your part—just set your washer on the cycle with the hottest water and add a little vinegar.
