There’s no doubt that, in today’s world, we’ve become a bit more paranoid when it comes to cleaning our homes. With the added layer of a global pandemic, our germ radars are always on high alert and the hunt to find and tackle the dirtiest rooms in our homes is in full force.
Pandemic aside, there are certain rooms in the home that are just prone to getting dirtier than others. Do you have any guesses as to what those might be? The dirtiest places in the house may come as a surprise to you. Read along to find out which spots are the dirtiest and how you can clean them effectively.
The 3 Most Germy Places in the Home
Eliminating bacteria from our homes seems to be top-of-mind for most everyone these days. According to a 2020 study done by The New England Journal of Medicine, harmful bacteria (like coronavirus) can last up to three hours in the air and up to 72 hours on stainless steel surfaces. So, where are the most bacteria found in a house? Check out our list of the three germiest spots and how to thoroughly clean them below.
1. The Kitchen
This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, considering this is where most of us use many different surfaces to prepare meals, eat, and dirty up plates, drinkware, and silverware.
Think about all the germs that accumulate on our cooking utensils, in the sink, and on our sponges and rags. If you don’t take the time to thoroughly clean your kitchen (and everything in it) after every meal, you’ll be creating an environment for bacteria to thrive. Pay special attention to these spots in your kitchen.
- Cutting boards (especially if you’ve cut raw meat on them)
- Your kitchen sink
- Countertops
- Coffee makers (and similar machines that create moisture–cleaning your home appliances is key)
- Sponges, towels, and rags
The best way to clean your kitchen: You’ll need clean sponges to wipe down surfaces, so the first step is to disinfect your sponges by either microwaving them or running them through a load in the dishwasher.
When it comes to a cleaning solution, try a natural combination of white vinegar, baking soda, water, and lemon juice on your appliances and surfaces. This is safer and less harsh than bleach or chemical-based cleaners.
Kitchens have a tendency to produce a foul odor if not cleaned well or often. When you use Fresh Wave Odor Removing Spray, you can get rid of unpleasant smells in the air, in the fridge, or in your garbage can while simultaneously removing bacteria.
2. The Bathroom
A ton of moisture accumulates in bathrooms, resulting in perfect breeding grounds for bacteria, mold, and mildew. It goes without saying, that you should always wash your hands after using the bathroom to help prevent the spread of germs. You should also dry off surfaces as quickly as possible to soak up moisture. Pay special attention to these spots in your bathroom:
- Shower curtains and doors
- Toilet handles
- Towels
- Toothbrushes
- Drains
The best way to clean your bathroom: To keep excess bathroom moisture at bay, make sure you always turn on a fan when showering or cleaning. Close your shower curtains and doors completely so mold doesn’t have a chance to grow between the spaces where water gets trapped.
Mix together a spray that contains white vinegar, baking soda, and warm water, and spray down your shower after each use. The same solution can be used on surfaces.
To keep your bathroom germ-free and smelling pleasant, open a jar of Fresh Wave Odor Removing Gel.
3. The Laundry Room
Dirty clothes and towels combined with the moisture living inside of the washing machine make the laundry room one of the germiest places in the home. It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it.
The best way to clean your laundry room: Try using warm or hot water as often as you can, as heat is more effective for killing germs on your clothes and towels. And whatever you do, don’t leave your laundry sitting in the washing machine. The longer it stays, the higher the chance of bacteria beginning to form. Then you’d just have to wash your items all over again.
If there are odors stuck in your clothes or in the washing machine, add Fresh Wave’s Odor Removing Laundry Booster to your next load. It’s a safer and gentler alternative to bleach and other harsh stain removers.
Are you ready to take on the dirtiest rooms in your house? Start by pivoting your focus to the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room. Once you have the major rooms down, it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty. Our honorable mentions for germy spots in the house are:
- Doorknobs and handles
- Remote controls, keyboards, and phones
- Pet beds
- Makeup brushes
- Wallets and purses
- Keys
Fresh Wave offers a solution for all the dirty spots in your home. Shop our line of odor-eliminating products today. Be sure to avoid ammonia cleaning products and look for brands with the Safer Choice label, like Fresh Wave.
