I’m a germs expert – the six places in your home which are really dirty & why your chopping board needs to be changed
IT'S one of the jobs you could be forgiven for forgetting when you clean your kitchen.
But, if you don't change your dishcloth often enough, nasty germs can build up on it - and end up being potentially harmful.
Your home typically harbours more bacteria than a public rubbish bin and some areas, including your dishcloth, are dirtier than a toilet.
And don't forget your chopping board either - you should be regularly disinfecting it.
So here are the gross facts that will shame your cleaning routine.
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Dishcloths
Cloths and sponges we use to clean with are among the dirtiest items in your home, and can harbour a shocking 10 million bacteria per square inch.
And immersing them in hot washing up water isn't going to be enough to clean them.
Instead, you need to replace them once a week.
If you're looking for a more environmentally cleaning method though, invest in some machine washable cotton cloths.
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After washing, rinse them at a high temperature - above 60°C - and leave them to dry on the draining board.
With sponges, soak them overnight in a weak solution of bleach and water.
Chopping boards
We all now the dangers of chopping up raw chicken.
But that's not all you need to worry about.
A recent survey has revealed the chopping board to be one of the most dangerous utensils, harbouring 200 per cent more faecal bacteria than the average toilet seat.
So instead of just washing up your chopping board as normal, get rid of E.Coli and any other bugs by washing it in a dishwasher and disinfecting it with wipes or spray every time you use it.
Cleaning hacks and tips
Here are some tips to help you clean your home like a pro:
- How to clean your washing machine in a few easy steps
- Keep on top of cleaning your oven regularly
- Clean your shower to ensure it's always sparkling
- How to clean your microwave using cheap household items
- Here's how to get rid of that nasty limescale in your kettle
- You're cleaning your carpet all wrong - here's how to get it spotless again in no time
- These are five hacks to ensure your kitchen is spotless
- What you need to know when cleaning your bathroom
- If you haven't in ages, here's how
- Steps to cleaning your dishwasher to leave it looking brand new
- This is how to clean mirrors and windows without streaking
- These simple items will make your carpet clean and look brand new
- Keep your toilet clean in four easy steps
Baths
You might assume that the toilet is the dirtiest place in your bathroom but it's actually the bath.
In a recent study Elizabeth Scoot, co-director of the Center for Hygiene and Health in Home and Community at Simmons College in Boston, compared the bacteria she found on bathtubs to rubbish bins.
In 26% of bathtubs tested, she found bacteria that causes skin infections, compared to 6% of bins.
So don't miss your bath out when cleaning your bathroom - you should be cleaning it every week.
Microwaves
How often do you wipe your microwave?
In many homes it's the most frequently used appliance in the kitchen, but the high temperatures the microwave reaches don't kill all the harmful bacteria.
So, to avoid making yourself ill, wipe the insides at least twice a week, and clean it thoroughly once a fortnight.
Use a mix of water and vinegar and boil it in the microwave, then wipe it down with a sponge.
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Carpets
According to a recent study, your carpet could contain up to 200,000 bacteria every square inch.
And regular vacuuming does next to nothing to getting rid of them.
So make sure you give your carpets a steam clean every six to 12 months.
Kitchen surfaces
In addition to keeping cloths and sponges clean, you need to make sure you're wiping down all your surfaces.
Studies found that the counters nearest the sink are the dirtiest, so concentrate your cleaning there.
Bath towels
After just a few uses, your bath towels are laden with millions of dead skin cells.
According to scientists, you should use a bath towel just three times before replacing them.
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Pillows
As well as your towels, make sure you're cleaning your pillows.
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When you lay in bed, you could be sleeping on dead skin cells, dust mites and various fungi - which make up a THIRD of your pillow's weight.
Pillows should be washed every three months and replaced every three years.
