There are some items we naturally wash our hands after touching, because they’ve built up a strong reputation for hosting germs. But many, many of our daily use electronics and fixtures don’t get the same treatment. And they may be worse than the toilets and public handrails we encounter through our day. See what daily items you should be cleaning more often than you already do.
#6: The kitchen sink
Your kitchen has seen big messes, and a lot of pathogens–raw meat, old food, unwashed produce, and so on. But the worst of it may come from your sink. Though soap and warm or hot water together may kill a lot of germs, those surviving pathogens splash right off your plates and linger in the sink–and there, they thrive. They’ll even inhabit your sponges and scrubbing brushes, spreading more germs as you rinse dishes. Regularly throw away old, dirty sponges and brushes, and scrub out your kitchen sink to prevent germs from spreading.
#5: Doorknobs
Wherever we go, at home or in public, we will encounter doorknobs every da
y. In public, if we’ve touched an especially gross handle, we may use a quick dab of hand sanitizer or go wash our hands. But at home, where the same germs may linger, our doorknobs often go ignored. Wash your hands often at home, and remember to wipe off the doorknobs as well!
#4: Remote controls
Until our TV remote becomes obviously filthy or unresponsive, we may not think to wipe them down. But these gather a lot of build-up, especially if you tend to snack while channel-surfing. When cleaning these, make sure to combat the oil from your fingers and pay special attention to the buttons. This goes for gaming remotes, too!
#3: Keyboards and computer mice
Our fingertips deposit not only dirt and food particles, but oils that wear away at the letters and create the perfect habitat for germs. Such germs can worsen office bugs, or even be the start of them. And worst of all, real mice that may dwell in your office building often come looking through your keyboard for tiny bits of your lunch, leaving diseases and fecal pellets. Avoid getting sick or inviting unwelcome guests by cleaning your keyboard.
#2: Headphones and ear buds
We stick these essentials on and in our ears every day without stopping to think where they’ve come from. Your car, your backpack, your purse, your pocket … Headphones and ear buds pick up germs from almost anywhere we store them. Neglecting to clean them, especially after sharing, may lead to ear and throat infections, and even hearing loss as you introduce pathogens to your sensitive inner ear. As a plus side, however, cleaning your ear buds will increase the sound quality and keep them running a lot longer.
#1: Cell phones
We never go anywhere without our cell phones. Often times, that includes the restroom. And while we scrub our hands, we may forget about wiping off our phones. Our hands leave oil deposits and particles on the screen from every dirty thing we’ve touched all day, creating the perfect breeding ground for pathogens. Then, we hold these dirty rectangles to our faces, which can spread illnesses and worsen or cause acne. Make sure to give your phone a wipe-down, at least daily.