You can’t go about cleaning every single thing in your home on a regular basis; that’s what spring cleaning is for. Having said that, there are some things that shouldn’t be overlooked when cleaning but unintentionally (or intentionally) are; that’s what this article is for!
Most of us neglect cleaning certain things around the house because we want to ‘power through’ household chores and have more time to kick back and relax. Then there’s the minority that perhaps, don’t realise the importance of cleaning these frequently used items. Well, whichever group you belong to, it’s time to make some changes! Here are five, unsanitary things in your home that need to be cleaned regularly!
Trash Can
Trash cans are one of the most unhygienic items in a home and yet, one of the least cleaned (if cleaned at all!) They are crawling with bacteria and probably reek of garbage too! With that said, a deep clean is probably in order! To do this, follow the tips below:
- Put on a pair of rubber gloves and hose it down outside your house (or inside the bathroom if you don’t have an outdoor water connection); this will help loosen any hardened gunk
- Scrub it down with a strong-scented disinfectant; make sure you have a separate scrubber just for your bin
- Wait 15-20 minutes before you rinse it off; this allows the disinfectant to kill bacteria
- Leave it to dry in the sun
Tips to keep your trash can clean:
- Line the bin with sheets of newspaper before you put in the garbage bag; replace the papers as and when needed
- Take out the trash bag before it’s full; especially if it starts to smell quickly
- Place newspaper sheets over wet garbage to absorb the odour and moisture
Doorknobs/Handles
Think about the knobs and handles in your home and just how often they’re touched (by multiple people); now, just imagine how many germs are transferred to these surfaces on a daily basis. A staggering amount, yes! As hard as it is to accept, our hands have bacteria on them for most of the day because we are constantly touching things that aren’t sanitised. These include phones, computers, remotes, faucets, etc. The frustrating part is that even if you take measures to keep your hands sanitary at all times, the likelihood of everyone around you doing the same is non-existent! So, the next time you’re about to overlook cleaning the handles and doorknobs around your house, don’t! They’re fairly easy to sanitise; all you need to do is spray a disinfectant onto a clean cloth (preferably a microfibre cloth) and wipe over the knobs and handles.
Toothbrush Holders
Some toothbrush holders have drainage holes, some don’t; however, the one thing that they do have in common is germs! Particularly in a dirty bathroom environment, the lack of hygiene in used toothbrush holders is frightening and yet, most homeowners don’t think to clean and sanitise them. If you talk to a hygienist, they will advise cleaning your toothbrush holder once in 10 days using a natural disinfectant such as undiluted white vinegar. To do this, simply rinse the holder and scrub it with a clean sponge soaked in vinegar. Finish off by rinse and drying the toothbrush holder before using it again. If you’d like a sweeter smell, mix a drop (or two) of essential oil in the vinegar.
Clothes Hamper/Basket
The fact that we dump dirty laundry in a hamper/basket is enough to tell you that it needs to be cleaned from time to time! While you may think it’s all right to leave a hamper dirty because nothing clean goes in it, think again! The buildup of bacteria over time will only spread to your laundry and make it that much harder to kill germs when thrown in the wash. Moreover, you end up spreading more bacteria in your washing machine than usual. Hence, we advise cleaning your clothes basket or hamper at least once a month. For a cloth hamper, soak it in a solution of water and laundry detergent for 15 minutes; next, rinse the cleaner off and leave it to air dry. A wicker or plastic basket can be wiped down using a disinfectant and clean cloth, followed by a re-wipe with a damp cloth to remove the cleaner.
Bath Mats
Consider their purpose and then think about the excess moisture they hold for long periods of time; are you cringing? Yes, they are filled with moist germs! Unlike a bath towel that you hang up to air dry, bath mats lie damp and are often used again before they can dry up completely. This promotes the growth of bacteria which is then transferred to your body when you wipe your bare feet on it. So, how do you solve this unhygienic problem? Consider hanging your bath mats out in the sun every 2-3 days to dry them and kill germs. Direct sunlight for prolonged periods is a natural way of killing bacteria without the use of any product. Of course, it’s also important to wash your bath mats at least once a month and replace them every 3-4 months.
Consider hiring a cleaning service if you value home cleanliness! If your from Calgary, check out our friends over at Calgary cleaning services. Remember, good hygiene starts with good habits and cleaning in any shape or form will always be classified as a good habit!
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