6 Household Items That Need Cleaned More Often

Spring is a time of deep cleaning for many of us. There are a number of obvious things that we clean during this time, but there are also some not-so-obvious items that we tend to overlook.

These latter items can be teeming with germs or covered in grime! Thankfully, they’re all pretty easy to address.

Items we should clean more frequently

Bathtub toys

Bath toys sit in moist environments, so they are a breeding ground for mildew. Rubber toys that squirt water (such as traditional rubber ducks), are particularly susceptible to this because they retain water. Personally, I recommend you get rid of these in favor of mildew-free varieties.
Other bath toys (such as cups, boats, foam letters, etc.) can be cleaned using a simple homemade solution. Place 2 gallons of warm water, 3 tablespoons of natural liquid dish soap, 5 cups of vinegar, and 10 drops of tea tree oil into a plastic tub. Place the lid onto the container and shake it to mix the solution. Once mixed, add your bath toys. Shake for a couple of minutes or until the toys look squeaky clean (source). Rinse the toys and set them out so they can dry completely.

Sponges

Like bath toys, sponges sit in moist environments. This, combined with the fact that they encounter all sorts of bacteria from foods, makes them germ hot spots. There are several easy ways to clean sponges. Use one of these methods regularly and toss out sponges when they get shabby (after 2-3 weeks, depending on use).

• Method 1: Mix 3/4 cup of bleach in one gallon of water and soak the sponge for five minutes, then rinse.
• Method 2: Wet the sponge (saturate scrub sponges with 1/4 cup water and cellulose sponges with 1/2 cup water) and microwave it on high for one minute (scrub sponges) or two minutes (cellulose sponges).
• Method 3: Add the sponge to a regular dishwasher load, using the heated dry cycle.
• Method 4: Soak the sponge in full-strength vinegar for 5 minutes, then rinse.

In studies, these methods eliminated between 99.6% and 99.9% of the bacteria present in test sponges (source).

Mops

Mops are kind of like sponges when it comes to harboring bacteria. If we don’t clean them regularly, then we just end up pushing bacteria and mildew all over our floors! If you have a removable mop head that can go in the clothes washer, then toss it in the washer with some vinegar and tea tree oil. When the cycle is over, squeeze out any excess water and hang to dry. If your mop head can’t go in the washer, then soak it in a bucket filled with 2 gallons of hot water and 1 cup of bleach or vinegar for 10 minutes (source). Whichever approach you use, always be sure that the mop head is completely dry before you store it. This will prevent the growth of excess bacteria and mildew.

Dish drying racks and toothbrush holders

Over time, water from drying dishes and toothbrushes pools in the bottoms of dish drying racks and toothbrush holders, creating a slimy mess. This mess may grow mildew or breed bacteria. Thankfully, it’s easy to clean these. If they are made of materials that are dishwasher safe, then toss them in the dishwasher. If they can’t be washed in this way, then hand wash them as you would dishes. If this isn’t getting the job done, then soak plastic racks and toothbrush holders in warm water and bleach or vinegar (use ¼ cup bleach or vinegar per gallon of water). Soak for 20 minutes and then use a sponge to wipe away the mildew or slime and use a toothbrush to scrub any crevices or small spaces (source). If your dish rack or toothbrush holders are made of stainless steel, then skip this soaking and try using a stainless steel cleaner such as Bar Keepers Friend.

Switch plates

Our hands encounter all sorts of bacteria throughout the day and we deposit these on the various surfaces that we touch. Because of this, it’s no surprise that light switches (and the plates that surround them) are some of the most germ-laden surfaces in the home (source). It’s easy to clean these with rubbing alcohol or general household cleaners. Simply spray one of these onto a paper towel or cloth (do NOT spray them directly onto the switch or plate) and use it to wipe down the surface of the plate. Then, spray some of the rubbing alcohol or cleaner onto a cotton swab and use this to clean the switch (source).

Touchscreens, keyboards, and TV remotes

Just like switch plates, the electronic devices we touch are frequently jam-packed with bacteria. These also tend to get grimy. When it comes to cleaning these (particularly the touchscreens of smartphones and tablets), it’s important to read the user’s guide that came with each device. The manufacturer will tell you exactly how to clean the device. You want to follow these instructions so you don’t void any warranties or damage the screen.

In general, it is important to avoid abrasive cleaners and traditional glass cleaners when cleaning touchscreens because both of these can cause damage. A common method recommended by manufacturers is to wipe screens clean using a soft microfiber cloth (avoid paper towels and rough cloths because they are abrasive). You can then cleanse the screens with rubbing alcohol, eyeglass cleaner, diluted vinegar, or plain water. However, like I just said, be sure to check your user’s guide to see which products are safe for your device. Traditional keyboards and TV remotes are a little hardier. You can use compressed air to blow away lint, dirt, and crumbs, and then use a cloth sprayed with rubbing alcohol or household cleaner to cleanse the surfaces.

Final thoughts

Thinking about all these germs kind of makes me want to squirm, but it is really useful information! I already clean some of these, like sponges, regularly. I’ve taken note of the others on my cleaning schedule so I can be sure to clean them regularly, too.

What items in your home would benefit from more frequent cleaning?

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