When it comes to cleaning, most of us focus on the obvious things—washing dishes, doing laundry, and wiping down counters. But what about the everyday items that silently collect dirt, bacteria, and grime without us realizing it? Some of the germiest spots in your home are things you touch daily but rarely think to clean. Skipping these areas can lead to bacteria buildup, bad odors, and even health risks, but luckily, most of them only take a few minutes to clean.
Here are 12 things you should be cleaning every day—but probably aren’t!
1. Your Phone
Your phone goes everywhere with you—your hands, pockets, countertops, car, bathroom, and even your bed. Studies show that your phone can be dirtier than a toilet seat, harboring bacteria, viruses, and grime from everything you touch throughout the day.
To keep your phone clean, wipe it down daily with a disinfectant wipe or a microfiber cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol. Make sure to clean the buttons, edges, and case, as germs tend to accumulate in these areas. Keeping your phone clean not only prevents germ transfer to your face and hands but also helps keep your screen smudge-free.
2. Light Switches
Think about how many times you touch your light switches each day. Now think about how often you actually clean them. Light switches are high-touch surfaces that collect dirt, grime, and germs, especially in high-traffic areas like the kitchen and bathroom.
Take a disinfecting wipe or a cloth with all-purpose cleaner and give your light switches a quick wipe-down every evening. It only takes a few seconds but makes a big difference in reducing the spread of bacteria and keeping them looking clean.
3. Remote Controls
Remote controls get passed around, dropped on the floor, and covered in fingerprints every day, yet they rarely get cleaned. If you eat snacks while watching TV, your remote is collecting food residue, dirt, and bacteria, making it one of the germiest things in your home.
To clean your remote, remove the batteries, then wipe it down with a disinfectant wipe or a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol. Use a toothpick or cotton swab to clean around the buttons, where dust and grime build up. Doing this daily helps prevent germs and sticky buildup from accumulating.
4. Kitchen Sink
You might think that because your kitchen sink is constantly exposed to water and soap, it stays clean. Unfortunately, food particles, grease, and bacteria linger in the sink, making it a prime breeding ground for germs. In fact, studies show that your sink can be dirtier than your toilet bowl if not cleaned regularly.
After washing dishes, take a moment to rinse out the sink, scrub it with dish soap, and wipe it down. Once a day, sprinkle some baking soda and vinegar down the drain to break down grease and neutralize odors.
5. Door Handles
Like light switches, door handles are high-touch surfaces that people rarely think to clean. Every time someone opens a door, they transfer germs, dirt, and oil from their hands onto the handle. This is especially important in bathrooms, kitchens, and entryways, where bacteria are more likely to spread.
At the end of the day, wipe down frequently used doorknobs, cabinet handles, and appliance handles with a disinfectant wipe or an all-purpose cleaner. This habit keeps germs from spreading throughout your home and reduces buildup on frequently touched surfaces.
6. Kitchen Sponges
Your kitchen sponge absorbs bacteria, food particles, and grease, making it one of the dirtiest items in your home. Using a dirty sponge to “clean” dishes and countertops just spreads germs around instead of actually removing them.
To keep your sponge sanitary, rinse it thoroughly after each use and squeeze out excess water. Once a day, disinfect it by microwaving it for 30 seconds, soaking it in a vinegar solution, or running it through the dishwasher on a high-heat setting. Better yet, replace it every 1-2 weeks to ensure you’re not spreading bacteria.
7. Toothbrush Holder
You rinse your toothbrush every day, but what about your toothbrush holder? Water drips from your brush into the holder, creating a damp, bacteria-friendly environment. Over time, it collects toothpaste residue, mold, and germs from your bathroom air.
Rinse your toothbrush holder daily under warm water and wipe it down with a disinfectant. Once a week, wash it with soap or run it through the dishwasher to keep it free from bacteria.
8. Coffee Maker
Your coffee maker brews the perfect cup every morning, but inside, it’s a hotspot for mold, bacteria, and mineral buildup. The water reservoir and coffee basket stay warm and damp, making them the perfect environment for germs to thrive.
Each day, rinse the removable parts and let them dry completely before reassembling. Once a week, run a cycle with equal parts water and vinegar to descale and remove bacteria. A cleaner coffee maker not only keeps your machine working longer but also ensures your coffee tastes fresher.
9. Cutting Boards
Cutting boards come into contact with raw meat, vegetables, and bacteria every day, and simply rinsing them off isn’t enough. If not properly cleaned, cutting boards can harbor foodborne bacteria like salmonella and E. coli.
After each use, scrub cutting boards with hot, soapy water and let them air dry completely. To disinfect, rub with coarse salt and a lemon, or spray with a vinegar and hydrogen peroxide solution. For extra safety, use separate cutting boards for raw meat and vegetables to prevent cross-contamination.
10. Shower Walls and Doors
Soap scum, hard water stains, and mildew can build up quickly in your shower if you don’t clean it regularly. Instead of waiting until it looks grimy, take 30 seconds after each shower to squeegee the glass doors and wipe down the tiles.
Using a daily shower spray with vinegar and dish soap prevents buildup and makes deep cleaning much easier. Keeping up with this habit will save you hours of scrubbing later and keep your bathroom looking fresh.
11. Bathroom Faucet Handles
You wash your hands multiple times a day, but think about what you touch before turning on the water—especially after using the toilet. Bathroom faucet handles collect bacteria and can be just as dirty as door handles or light switches.
A quick wipe with a disinfectant cloth every evening removes germs and prevents water spots from forming. Doing this keeps your bathroom hygienic and looking polished.
12. Pet Bowls
Your pet’s food and water bowls collect bacteria, saliva, and leftover food particles every time they eat. Leaving them unwashed creates a breeding ground for germs, which can lead to health issues for your pet.
At the end of the day, wash pet bowls with hot, soapy water and let them dry completely. Stainless steel bowls are easier to keep clean than plastic ones, which can harbor bacteria in tiny scratches.
*This article was created with the help of AI.