No matter how clean you try to keep your home, there will always be those hard to reach or forgotten about places where dirt and grime like to hide. And in fact, some of the dirtiest spots are the items we use the most, and it’s perhaps because we use them so often that we don’t always think about just how dirty they might be. Items such as video game and television controllers, and any other frequently used handheld devices can play host to thousands of germs per 100 square centimetres, which in many cases, amounts to more than five times the amount found on toilet seats, yuk!
While we should of course wash our hands frequently, the reality is that most of us don’t wash our hands directly before we touch most things in our homes, which can even include door handles and light switches, making the transmission of germs and bacteria a very real risk.
Cleaning handheld devices and controllers:
Washing these items can prove a little trickier, since you don’t want to get water into any electrical components, but provided you use a damp cloth and are careful, you shouldn’t damage the item. Mix water with rubbing alcohol in a bowl, dip your cloth in and give it a good squeeze so that it’s damp rather than wet, before giving the item a good wiping over. Removing batteries first is a good idea, and a toothbrush can help you get into all the little nooks and crannies, such as the spaces between the buttons or around the screen. Try to do this regularly so that dirt and dust doesn’t have a chance to build up there.
You should also include your cell phone in this regular cleaning routine, since experts have shown that there can be anything up to 4,200 units of bacteria found on the average cell phone.
Cleaning your cell phone:
In much the same way that you would clean your video game controller, make a solution of 70% isopropyl alcohol and water and soak a sponge or cloth in it. Wring the sponge or cloth out so that it’s damp, not wet, and give your entire phone a good wiping. While it might not be necessary to do this every day, at least once a week is recommended. You may prefer to purchase store bought sanitizing wipes that are designed specifically for cleaning phones and other handheld, electronic items.
Now we know just how grimy those items can be, here are some other common dirty spots that can be found in the average home:
- Kitchen sponge or cloth
- Coffee reservoir
- Toothbrush holder
- Cutting board
- Stove knobs
- Purse handles
- Kitchen sink
- Pet bowl, bedding and toys
- Light switches
- Faucets
If you’re worried about germs and bacteria invading your home and threatening to make you and other members of your household sick, try calling up the professionals and having them come into your home to get it hygienically, and spotlessly clean.
