What Is the Germiest Place in Your House? (It’s Not What You Think)

Many people assume that the toilet is the filthiest place in a home. After all, it’s where you’ll find the dirtiest waste at times. However, when it comes to germs, one area far surpasses the toilet. So, what’s the germiest place in your house?

The Surprising Truth About Household Germs

There may be millions of germs lurking in your home even if it looks spotless. These germs come from your hands and belongings when you arrive home from an outing. They come in on your grocery bags, pets and more.

Germs also are found on uncooked food, and these germs get on your hands, counters and more. In areas that are dark and humid, mold and mildew thrive. Germs are microscopic, so you can’t see them until a large colony of growth is present. More likely, you’ll get sick from the germs long before you notice them.

The Unexpected Winner: Your Kitchen Sink

While your toilet is undoubtedly grimy even if you just cleaned it yesterday, the kitchen sink typically has many more bacteria than the toilet. You’re constantly rinsing the sink out as you run food scraps through the garbage disposal and rinse off dishes. You wash your hands and dishes with soap in the sink regularly. Because of these activities, it’s easy to think your sink is relatively clean.

Plus, if you’re like most people, you clean your sink frequently. How can the sink be the dirtiest area in your home? Any leftover food in the sink and garbage disposal are the perfect place for bacteria to breed. If you’ve noticed fruit flies in your kitchen, the culprit may be your sink and garbage disposal.

To clean the garbage disposal, pour a few tablespoons of baking soda down the drain. Then, pour white vinegar slowly over the baking soda. These are both acidic substances that fight germs. They also will eliminate odors and leave your garbage disposal clean. You can use this same formula to clean your sink daily and prevent the buildup of bacteria-causing food residue.

Close Contenders: Top Germ Hotspots At Home

While the kitchen sink is undoubtedly the germiest place in your house, there are other close contenders. For example, the same food residue in your kitchen sink can also be found on your sponges and dishcloths. Launder dishcloths daily or after they come in contact with raw meat and eggs. Sanitize sponges daily by boiling them in water. Likewise, cutting boards and countertops are similarly dirty. These should be sanitized after every use.

Regardless of where you feed your pet, chances are that you don’t clean the area as often as you clean your counters and kitchen table. However, this area has food residue that bacteria love as well. Take the same steps to sanitize this area as you take for the sink.

Another gross area is bathroom faucet handles. Each time after you use the bathroom, you wash your hands by turning on the faucet. When you turn on the faucet, you’re touching it with your germy hands. Faucet handles should be disinfected daily.

High-Touch Surfaces You’re Probably Overlooking

The bathroom faucet handles are only some of the high-touch surfaces in your home that need frequent cleaning. The light switches and doorknobs throughout your home need to be sanitized weekly. Spritz a disinfectant solution lightly on a clean cloth to wipe the germs off.

Likewise, remote controls, smartphones, fridge handles and even microwave buttons will get grimy and need regular attention. If someone in your home is ill, clean these high-touch surfaces daily until the illness subsides.

Why the Bathroom Isn’t the Germiest (Surprisingly)

The bathroom certainly isn’t the cleanest room in your home, but how can it be dirtier than the kitchen? Bacteria needs a food source, and there are plenty of food remnants left behind when you prepare food and do the dishes.

Unless you sanitize your entire kitchen after each use, there will be food remnants that collect and feed bacteria. In addition, some foods bring salmonella, E. coli and other bacteria in the kitchen that are far less likely to be found in the bathroom.

Cleaning Tips to Keep These Areas Safe

It’s important to sanitize these areas often. For convenience, use disinfectant wipes often on high-touch surfaces throughout the house. In the kitchen, disinfect or replace sponges and cloths regularly. In addition, regularly wash your hands after using the restroom and handling food. It’s also helpful to wash your hands each time you enter your home.

While germs lurk in icky messes, they also linger in places where you might not think to clean. The best way to fight germs and enjoy the benefits of a healthier home environment is with regular, thorough cleaning. For recurring cleaning services Boston tailored to fit your needs, contact the Cleanzen team today.