The 10 Dirtiest Places in Your Home

When we think of dirty places, the home isn't the first thing to come to mind. But in all actuality, millions of microbes and viruses lurk around the house in some obvious and not-so-obvious places. What we consider to be a filthy area of the house is sometimes cleaner than we thought and the real problems exist elsewhere. So before you clean house and miss some spots, be sure to tackle these 10 dirtiest places first.

1. Kitchen sink

   Believe it or not, kitchen sinks are dirtier than bathrooms. The kitchen sink, including the basin, faucet handles, and drain are breeding grounds for bacteria and dangerous pathogens, such as salmonella, E. coli, and campylobacter. The drain is by far the filthiest part of the sink, with more than 500,000 bacteria per square inch. The faucet handles of a sink can have up to 25,000 bacteria per square inch. The entire sink should be sanitized with a bleach and water solution or another tough disinfectant. It's also a good idea to clean and replace your sponges and brushes every month. You can blast bacteria growing on sponges by placing them in the dishwasher during the drying cycle.

2. Bathtub

   You cannot get clean in the bathtub without dirtying it up in the process. Bathtubs can contain up to 250,000 bacteria per square inch, making it one of the most unsanitary places in the house. Studies show that this germy surface can harbor staph aureus and staphylococcusbacteria, both of which can lead to dangerous skin infections and illnesses. The act of cleaning increases the amount of bacteria and the bathtub's moist environment allows it to grow more rapidly. It's advised to disinfect the bathtub at least once a week with a tough cleanser and scrub away soap scum.

3. Remote control

   Remote controls are some of the dirtiest items in your house. Remotes are touched by multiple hands and are rarely disinfected. According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Arizona, single men have the highest levels of bacteria on their remotes. After swabbing the remote controls in 30 bachelor and 30 bachelorette pads, a shocking 30 percent contained coliform fecal bacteria. Banish the bacteria on remote controls by taking it apart and cleaning the individual parts with a disinfectant or plain ole soap and water.

4. Trash can

   It's not surprising that the trash can is one of the filthiest places in the whole house. Although most people use trash bags to collect garbage, the actual containers see very little cleaning. Trash cans should be disinfected every time you change the bag. Liquid, food particles, and other debris in the can should be washed off with a disinfectant and allowed to air dry.

5. Doorknobs and handles

   Doorknobs and handles are some of the filthiest surfaces in the house. Not only are doorknobs and handles touched several times each day, but people also forget to clean them on a regular basis. Doorknobs and handles can harbor various types of bacteria like staphylococcus, E. coli, salmonella, as well as the flu virus. Doorknobs and handles are easy to clean and should be disinfected at least once a week.

6. Baby changing table

   Baby changing tables are breeding grounds for a slew of bacteria. Unlike a toilet, a changing table comes into contact with a baby's whole body and handling a dirty diaper increases the chance of bacterial contamination and infection. It's crucial for parents to disinfect the changing table, as well as all of the items around the changing area that may become contaminated.

7. Toilet

   It's pretty obvious that the toilet is a dirty place. From the inside of the bowl to the seat, toilets can harbor staphylococcus, streptococcus, and E. coli. These and other types of bacteria can reside inside the toilet bowl and spray out when flushed. To combat the harmful bacteria, give your toilet bowl a tough cleaning with a brush and scrubbing agent and spray all other surfaces with a disinfectant.

8. Floors and carpet

   The carpet and floors are some of the dirtiest places in the whole house. Dirt and germs are constantly being tracked onto the floor from the soles of your shoes. The kitchen and the bathroom see a lot of action every day, so it's crucial that you clean these rooms from the floor up. As for carpet, this porous surface collects dirt, germs, and other pollutants you don't want touching your feet. Vacuuming will help keep your carpet clean, but leaving your shoes at the door will help prevent bacteria growth.

9. Your shoes

   Shoes are walking contaminants that come into contact with more dirt and bacteria than we could ever imagine. Those who wear their shoes in the house have an increased risk of bacteria growth. The soles of shoes carry a wide variety of bacteria and viruses that can cause dangerous infections and illnesses. Wearing shoes inside can lead to excess debris and stains. The easiest way to avoid such problems is to take your shoes off at the door or leave them outside in a dry place.

10. Pet Food Dish

    Next time you run the dishwasher, you should go ahead and throw Fido's food dish in there as well. Pet bowls are much dirtier than we think. In fact, pet food dishes contain up to 2,500 bacteria per square inch. Saliva and left over food particles can coat the bowls and cause bacteria growth. Water bowls should be washed on a regular basis and the water should be dumped and replaced daily.

Taken From Online Certificate Programs