The Hidden Germs in Your Home and How to Get Rid of Them

A home can look spotless and still have germs collecting in places most people never think to clean. The germiest places in your home are usually not the obvious ones like the toilet seat. They are the damp items and high-touch surfaces that everyone uses all day: kitchen sponges, faucet handles, light switches, phones and remotes. The good news is that a few targeted habits handle most of them. Here is where germs tend to collect and exactly how to clean each spot.

Cleaning vs. Disinfecting: Do Both, in Order

Before tackling hotspots, it helps to know the difference:

• Cleaning removes dirt, grime and many germs with soap or detergent and water.
• Disinfecting uses a registered disinfectant to kill germs on surfaces.

Disinfectants work best on surfaces that have been cleaned first. Always read the product label: most disinfectants need the surface to stay visibly wet for a set amount of time, called the contact or dwell time, to work. Wiping it off right away cuts that short. Never mix cleaning products, and keep rooms ventilated while you use them.

The Germiest Places in Your Kitchen

Sponges, dishcloths and dish towels

Damp and full of food residue, these are some of the most germ-friendly items in the house, and they spread whatever they pick up onto every surface they touch.

• Rinse sponges well and let them dry between uses instead of leaving them in a wet pile.
• Replace sponges often; when they smell or start to fall apart, they are overdue.
• Wash dishcloths and dish towels every couple of days in hot water.
• Use separate towels for drying hands and drying dishes.

Kitchen sink and faucet handles

Raw food rinsing, dirty dishes and constant handwashing make the sink a busy spot. Scrub the basin and drain area with soap and water, then disinfect, and wipe faucet handles daily.

Cutting boards

Wash cutting boards with hot, soapy water after every use, and use a separate board for raw meat. Replace boards that have deep grooves that are hard to clean.

Refrigerator handles and shelves

Wipe handles daily. Clean up spills on shelves right away, toss expired food weekly, and wash shelves and drawers with warm, soapy water every month or so.

Counters and small appliance handles

Clean and disinfect counters after food prep, and remember the handles and buttons on the microwave, coffee maker and stove.

Bathroom Germ Hotspots

Toothbrush holders

Moisture and drips collect in the bottom of toothbrush holders, making them one of the most overlooked bathroom items. Wash the holder weekly with hot, soapy water or in the dishwasher if it is dishwasher-safe. Let toothbrushes air-dry upright and replace them about every three months or when bristles fray.

Faucet handles, flush handles and light switches

Everyone touches these before washing their hands. Clean and disinfect them several times a week, and more often when someone in the house is sick.

Bath mats and hand towels

Wash hand towels every few days and bath mats weekly, and let towels dry fully between uses.

High-Touch Surfaces Around the House

• Doorknobs and cabinet pulls: wipe front door, bathroom and pantry handles regularly.
• Light switches: spray disinfectant onto a cloth rather than directly on the switch, then wipe.
• Remote controls and game controllers: wipe with a disinfecting wipe, getting between buttons, and let them air-dry.
• Stair rails and banisters: often forgotten but touched constantly.
• Car keys, purses and backpacks: these go everywhere and land on counters and tables.

Phones, Tablets and Keyboards

Phones and keyboards travel with us all day and are rarely cleaned. Power the device down, then follow the manufacturer's cleaning guidance, which often allows a gentle wipe with an alcohol-based wipe. Avoid spraying liquid directly onto screens or into ports. Clean them often, especially phones that go into bathrooms or kitchens.

Bedding, Pet Items and Laundry

Pillows and bedding

Wash sheets and pillowcases weekly in the warmest water the fabric allows. Check the care label on pillows and comforters and wash them periodically.

Pet bowls, beds and toys

Wash food and water bowls daily with hot, soapy water or in the dishwasher. Wash pet toys and beds regularly, and wash your hands after handling pet food.

The washing machine

Front-loaders in particular can develop mildew around the door seal. Wipe the gasket and leave the door open after each load so it dries. Run the machine's cleaning cycle or a washer-cleaning product as directed by the manufacturer, and clean the detergent drawer every month or so.

Carpets and rugs

Carpets trap dirt, crumbs and allergens. Vacuum high-traffic areas often and clean spills promptly. For deeper carpet care, contact DJM to ask about carpet cleaning.

A Quick Germ-Hotspot Cleaning Schedule

Daily

• Wipe kitchen counters, sink and faucet handles
• Wash pet bowls
• Rinse and dry sponges

Several times a week

• Disinfect doorknobs, light switches, remotes and bathroom handles
• Swap dish towels and hand towels
• Wipe phones and keyboards

Weekly

• Wash bedding, bath mats and the toothbrush holder
• Clear out the fridge and wipe spills
• Replace sponges as needed

Juggling a family schedule? A busy parent's guide to keeping a clean home has more time-saving routines.

How DJM Cleaning Can Help

DJM Cleaning Home Services is a veteran-owned, family-run company that has cleaned homes in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Morrisville and throughout the Triangle since 2016. Our Perfect Maintenance recurring cleaning covers kitchens, bathrooms and high-touch surfaces on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly schedule, with the same background-checked, insured team each visit. If your home needs a top-to-bottom reset first, our Top to Bottom Deluxe deep clean gets into the details. Not sure which you need? See deep cleaning vs. regular cleaning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the germiest places in your home?

Kitchen sponges and dish towels, the kitchen sink, cutting boards, toothbrush holders, faucet and flush handles, doorknobs, light switches, remotes and phones are common hotspots because they are damp, touched often, or both.

How often should I disinfect high-touch surfaces?

For most homes, several times a week is a good routine, and daily when someone in the household is sick. Clean first, then disinfect, following the product's contact time.

Can I just use one cleaner for everything?

Soap and water handle a lot of cleaning, but disinfecting requires a product labeled as a disinfectant. Use each as directed and never mix different cleaning products together.

Want help keeping your home's germ hotspots under control? Get a free quote or call (919) 794-5381 to schedule your cleaning.