5 things in your house that are surprisingly dirty, and how to keep them clean

While we may dust our homes daily and clean regularly, sometimes the dirtiest places/things are the ones we think are clean but are not. These hidden gems are germ heavens and can carry unthinkable bacteria, and grime, if ignored for a long time. On this note, let’s have a look at five commonly overlooked spots that are surprisingly dirty, and how to keep them clean.


Check it out:



Kitchen sponge

It’s one of the most ignored dirtiest things in almost every household. A number of people think their kitchen sponge or dish cloth is clean because we use it for washing right? How can something used for cleaning be dirty? But sponges and dish cloths hide more bacteria than your toilet seat. Yikes, but true. Every time you wipe a surface or scrub a plate, moisture and food particles get trapped in the sponge and dish cloth.



Cleaning tips:

Keep changing sponges every 15 days.

Microwave a wet sponge for 1–2 minutes

Boil dish clothes to kill bacteria.

Use separate cloths

Air dry after each use



Remote Controls

No, your remote controls are not clean at all. Despite looking shiny and clean, they are constantly touched but rarely cleaned. Do you even remember the last time you cleaned or wiped your remote control? Studies show remotes can carry fecal bacteria and cold viruses too.

Cleaning tips:

Wipe with disinfectant wipes at least once a week.

Wash hands before use



Light switches and door handles

Again, these are two of the most ignored spots in the house. These areas are touched by a number of people every day, making them the best locations for transferring germs. Yet they are some of the least cleaned spots.




Cleaning tips:

Use disinfectant spray

Make cleaning part of your routine



Toothbrush holder

While your toothbrush is supposed to help you stay healthy, the place it sits might just be pooled with unknown bacteria. Bathroom faucet handles collect harmful germs from wet hands.



Cleaning tips:

It is important to dry toothbrush holders after every use.

Use a small brush

Wipe toilet faucet handles daily



Washing machine rubber seal

Ok, So, yes. While the washing machine is supposed to keep your clothes clean you also need to keep your machine clean. The machine can itself get very dirty after washing your dirty clothes. The rubber gasket around the front-loading washing machine door traps water, lint, and detergent residue, which is the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew.



Cleaning tips:

Wipe the rubber seal after every wash using a dry cloth

Run a monthly hot-water cycle using white vinegar

Remove and clean the detergent drawer