The 6 Most-Touched Surfaces That Spread Germs In Your Home
I was looking around my house the other day and realized something a little unsettling. We spend so much time scrubbing floors and wiping down counters to keep our homes feeling clean. But we often completely ignore the tiny things that get touched the most. It is so easy to overlook the everyday surfaces that spread germs from person to person. Let’s talk about those sneaky high traffic spots and the easiest ways to keep them clean.
The Front Door And Other Doorknobs
Think about the very first thing you touch when you come inside from a long day out. The front doorknob catches all the germs that are left on your hands from the grocery store and the gas station. Then we walk inside and touch the bedroom and bathroom doors. All those metal and wooden handles are absolute magnets for bacteria. Taking a quick disinfectant wipe to your doorknobs once a week is a super simple way to stop germs from traveling.
Light Switches
We walk into a dark room and immediately reach for the light switch without a second thought. Our fingers constantly press those little plastic plates morning and night. And because everyone in the family uses the exact same switches, they easily become one of the most contaminated spots in the entire house. A damp cloth with a little bit of mild soap or a quick sanitizing spray keeps them clean and safe for everyone to use.
Television Remotes
Settling down on the couch to watch a good movie is the best part of the evening. But the remote control gets passed around between sticky fingers and dropped on the floor constantly. It also has all those tiny rubber buttons where dust and grime love to hide. You can easily freshen it up by wiping it down with a cotton pad dipped in a little rubbing alcohol. Just make sure to remove the batteries first.
Sink Handles
It is a funny little cycle when you think about it. We turn on the sink faucet with dirty hands so we can wash them with soap. That means the faucet handles get covered in bacteria. Whether it is raw chicken juice in the kitchen or bathroom grime, the handles catch it all. Wiping them down thoroughly after you finish washing your hands keeps them from spreading germs back to your clean hands.
Kitchen Appliances
The kitchen is the heart of the home and the refrigerator is definitely the most popular stop. Everyone grabs the refrigerator handle multiple times a day looking for snacks or drinks. The microwave and oven handles are the same, also coming into contact with a ton of germs. These spots collect a mixture of food grease and natural hand oils. Giving those handles a daily swipe with your favorite kitchen cleaner stops the sticky buildup and keeps the germs away.
The Bathroom Flush Handle
We all know the bathroom needs regular deep cleaning to stay hygienic. But while we focus on scrubbing the actual toilet bowl, we often forget the little handle on the side. We touch it every single time we use the restroom right before we go wash our hands. It is a prime spot for spreading unwanted bacteria. Remembering the flush handle in your regular bathroom cleaning routine takes two seconds and offers total peace of mind.
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-8 Things You Should Never Store On Your Bathroom Counter
It can feel a little overwhelming to think about all the invisible germs floating around our home. But you definitely do not need to spend your precious free time obsessing over every single surface. Just adding these six quick spots to your normal cleaning routine makes a massive difference in keeping everyone healthy. It is all about simple habits that protect the people you love.
Bliss Donahue-Power
