You’re probably making a 30-minute mistake with your washing – and it could be making you ill
MANY of us have been guilty of leaving the clothes in the drum after the cycle's finished at some point.
But one cleaning expert has revealed that leaving your washed clothes in the machine for longer than 30 minutes is a real no-no.
WeBuyAnyHome's Terry Fisher said: "One of the most important parts of keeping a household clean and tidy is washing our clothes regularly."
"But wet laundry left in the machine for as little as 30 minutes after the cycle had finished can cause the germs to flourish."
The dampness of the clothes in the drum will make them start to smell and this creates bacteria and mould.
It's not just in the washing machine that bacteria can be found lurking in your home.
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Experts have found over 340 different types of bacteria on all sorts of surfaces and household items including kitchen sinks, pet bowls and coffee holders.
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Coming in at the top spot was the humble dish sponge followed by the toothbrush holder.
However it wasn't all bad news, as the study found that all the bacteria was harmful to humans.
However those that were can contribute to illnesses such as colds, throat infections and fevers.
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So if you see yourself as a bit of a cleaning guru, be warned there may be places that you have innocently overlooked.
This could be the reason that you keep picking up colds or have a persistent throat Infection.
Terry said: “Most of us like to think our houses are nice and clean and we do a good job of banishing germs."
But the truth is it’s impossible to keep our homes totally free from bacteria and even the most unlikely of everyday items are breeding grounds.”
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He added: "Household staples such as remote controls, salt and pepper shakers and door handles are used many times per day and we don’t usually think to disinfect them regularly."
"While it can be a difficult task to keep our homes spick and span and keep germs at bay, knowing some of the worst offenders can be half the battle."
