Do you know what the germiest, dirtiest, bacteria-ridden places are in your home? The winners might surprise you.
According to a recent study from NSF International (involving 660 tests in 22 homes), these three places in your home contain the highest average germ count (and none of them are your toilet). Don’t worry, though--we’re providing you with some tips for cleaning each one of them.
3rd Place: Your Toothbrush Holder
Although it is not at all comforting to think about, your toothbrush holder is probably the third-most bacteria-ridden place in your entire house. One reason for this is its close proximity to the toilet, making it susceptible to traveling bacteria whenever you flush the toilet. Another reason is that your toothbrush itself contains millions of bacteria, and it rests directly in your toothbrush holder.
According to the study, of all the toothbrush holders tested:
- 64% harbored yeast and mold
- 27% tested positive for coliform bacteria
- 14% contained staph bacteria
How to Clean Your Toothbrush Holder:
- First, rinse it thoroughly with hot water and wipe it down with a clean cloth.
- Use a pipe cleaner or a similar long object so that you can clean inside each toothbrush slot.
- Depending on your holder type, fill it or soak it in antibacterial mouthwash for 2-3 minutes.
- Let it air dry.
2nd Place: Your Kitchen Sink
Your kitchen sink sees a lot of action, and with the amount of food waste, heat, and moisture that accumulate there, it can be a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. In addition, the sink is where you also clean unwashed fruits and vegetable and rinse off raw meat, which can introduce additional bacteria to your kitchen.
According to the study, of all the kitchen sinks tested:
- 45% tested positive for coliform bacteria
- 27% contained mold
How to Deep Clean Your Kitchen Sink
- Rinse it thoroughly to get rid of any food scraps.
- Sprinkle it with baking soda, and rub the baking soda over the surface until it forms a paste.
- Rinse thoroughly again.
- Soak paper towels in white vinegar (a natural disinfectant), and line your sink with them. Let them sit for 20 minutes.
- Throw the paper towels away and rinse your sink one more time with warm and soapy water.
- Use a cloth soaked in vinegar to clean your faucet and handles.
1st Place: Your Kitchen Sponge
This is pretty alarming news for most people, especially because this is what most households use to clean their dirty dishes. However, when you stop to consider how much food waste touches dish sponges, how little sponges themselves are actually washed, and how frequently wet sponges are, a high bacteria count and even mold growth begins to make sense.
According to the study, of all the sponges tested:
- 86% contained yeast and mold
- 77% contaied coliform bacteria
- 18% contained staph bacteria
How to Keep Your Kitchen Sponge Clean:
- Replace your sponge regularly. Use each sponge for only 2 weeks.
- Microwave your sponge for 2 minutes daily to disinfect it.
