If keeping the house clean and sanitized is important to you, I have compiled a list of 30 things to disinfect at home that maybe you haven’t thought about.
These things are items that you and members of your family touch daily and that are most probably full of germs.
When I’m in a hurry I use antibacterial wipes to disinfect these items. You can also use a good disinfectant cleaner spray or alcohol.
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List of 30 Things To Disinfect At Home
Here is a list of things that are usually touched by other household members and that should be cleaned daily, sometimes even several times a day (for instance, when someone is ill).
If you use antibacterial wipes to disinfect these items, make sure that there is enough liquid to cover them and let them air dry. Don’t wipe them out. You will have to use several wipes to properly disinfect everything.
- door/window handles
- window/door keys
- door/window locks
- kitchen cabinet handles and knobs
- light/lamp switches
- microwave handle
- oven handles
- fridge/freezer handle
- kettle/coffee maker handle/buttons
- stove knobs
- trash can lid and/or handles
- broom, dustpan, and mop handles
- faucets, especially the handle
- hand soap container and pump
- toilet seat
- toilet flush and brush handle
- bathroom cabinet handle
- tv remote control
- handrails
- curtain/blinds cord pulls
- home telephone
- cell phone
- computer mousse
- keyboard
- game controllers
- outside door handle
- doorbell
- door knocker
- mailbox
- gate handle
Disinfecting Room by Room
When you have the time you can be more thorough with your cleaning. Let’s look at the different rooms and concentrate on those items and spaces you don’t want to miss.
Although you can go out and buy several cleaners and disinfectants in the market, you are likely to have two popular ones at home that are very effective: bleach and vinegar. However, do not mix the two together, because they will form a toxic gas.
Both are effective at removing viruses and bacteria.
Bleach – According to the Department of Health bleach should be diluted as follows:
1:99 diluted household bleach (mixing 10ml of bleach with 1litre of water) can be used for general household cleaning.
Department of Health
Vinegar – Mix one part vinegar with 3 parts water.
It is important to keep the two solutions clearly marked and separate from one another. It is also essential to keep them out of the reach of children.
You can also use an equal mixture of vinegar and Dawn liquid detergent for cleaning things like soap scum. Just remember to rinse extremely well after cleaning the area, i.e., a bathtub, to avoid having someone slip later.
The list may look long but remember, things have been sitting for a long time. It is never late to disinfect your home or your belongings.
Kitchen
The kitchen may be where the bulk of your time is spent disinfecting.
Here’s a bulleted list of areas to concentrate on:
- Appliances: clean the refrigerator and freezer, the microwave, oven, and vent hood.
- Wipe down the cupboards, especially where the knobs or openings are located.
- Clean under the sink area and especially around the trash can area; include the trash can and its lid.
- Also the windows, curtains, and blinds.
- Wipe all the doors down in the kitchen, including door knobs.
- Clean out the silverware and other utensil drawers, including wiping down the items.
- Disinfect handles to the broom, mop, dustpan, etc. frequently.
- Clean the countertops, and around the faucet and sink.
- Pull out the gasket around the aerator and clean it thoroughly.
- If you have pictures or objects on display, you may want to wipe any grime off of them.
- Wash and disinfect the floors.
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Bathroom
- Wash the rugs in the bathroom, the shower curtain, and other curtains and blinds.
- Wipe down the cabinet doors and knob areas.
- Scrub inside and outside the toilet and around the base area frequently.
- Wipe down the inside of the medicine cabinet and clean the mirror(s).
- Clean the sink area with the faucets and handles frequently.
- Wash the floors.
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Bedrooms
- Wash the bed linens, covers, and mattress pad.
- Some people prefer to buy new pillows rather than wash old ones during spring cleaning.
- Wipe down the door and door handles, dresser drawers, and handle areas.
- Wash the floors or clean the carpets. If you have carpet, consider spraying Lysol on it when you finish cleaning it.
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Living Room | Family Room
- Give the sofa and chairs a good cleaning (especially the arms), wipe down vinyl furniture if you have it, or vacuum fabric pieces if that is what you own. Consider spraying Lysol or similar on fabric furniture after it is cleaned.
- Unplug lamps and wipe them down. Allow them to dry before plugging them back in.
- Wipe down or clean: doors and door knobs, windows, curtains, and blinds. coffee and end tables with disinfectant first and then use a polish on them.
- Vacuum the carpet and consider spraying Lysol along heavy traffic patterns or clean floors.
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Office
- Turn off your computer and office equipment before wiping any of it down, then wipe all surfaces carefully.
- Take the time to clean out that pen and pencil drawer, wiping off the pens and pencils.
- Wipe off any items you use a lot frequently (i.e., dust blower, water bottle, coffee cup, etc.).
- Clean cell phones and landlines down.
- Disinfect the door and doorknobs.
- Clean windows, curtains, and blinds.
- Wipe down your computer chair thoroughly, especially the arms.
- Clean floors with the same care as done in previous rooms.
Laundry Area
- Wipe down containers of laundry detergent.
- Clean the inside and outside of the washing machine, including the lid.
- Also, clean the top of the dryer and the door where you open it.
- Wipe down the area where clothes are folded.
Other Things To Disinfect At Home
Sometimes, germs can hide in things that we don’t think about.
Below are 7 unsuspecting places where germs can hide:
1. Kitchen sink sponge and sponge cloths
Kitchen sponges and sponge cloths are a hotspot for bacteria and germs. These useful households item attracts millions of microscopic germs and bacteria because of a few reasons.
First, these items are usually moist, making them an ideal environment for bacteria. In addition, because the sponge is used to clean dishes, many food particles remain encrusted within its surface, causing more and more germs to develop over time.
To keep kitchen sponges and sponge cloths germ-free, try to always keep them as dry as possible, sterilize them daily with antibacterial substances, and try to replace them regularly (at least once a week).
I usually spray the kitchen sponge and sponge cloth with a solution made of bleach, washing-up liquid, and warm water.
Another solution is to buy antibacterial sponges like these ones or these antibacterial cloths.
2. Pet toys and bowls
Pet toys and bowls are big hiding spots for germs.
Because pets tend to play using their mouths, their saliva collects within the toys, making them humid and perfect for bacteria to develop.
In addition, these toys are likely to be dragged on the floor, dirt, and other surfaces that are full of germs. To keep pet toys germ-free, make sure to clean them after your pet plays with them.
To clean your pet’s toys, soak them in hot soapy water for a few minutes. Rinse them well and dry them with a clean cloth.
Most pet toys include cleaning instructions; when possible, follow those instructions for the best results.
What about pet bowls?
Pet bowls should be cleaned with soapy water daily, and disinfected at least once a week with a bleach solution.
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Stainless steel bowls (like this one) are recommended because this type of material is resistant to rust, easy to clean, and best of all, doesn’t absorb odors or bacteria.
3. Hand towels (including kitchen dishcloths)
Towels attract a lot of germs and bacteria because every time they are used, natural skin bacteria and other germs are transferred onto their surface.
Hand towels are absorbent and often damp. Most of the time they hang in dark bathrooms; all of these are characteristics that germs love.
To reduce the number of germs and bacteria found on hand towels and kitchen dishcloths, they need to be washed regularly.
Because these towels have the potential to carry bacteria-related diseases, washing them every two days is recommended.
Another great alternative is to buy towels made of antibacterial fabric like these ones.
4. Toothbrush
Toothbrushes are usually left wet and many germs and bacteria also develop even when it’s not being used.
It is important to take proper care of your toothbrush to minimize its microbe population.
A way to reduce germs in your toothbrush is to dry it as much as possible when you are done using it. Germs thrive in wet environments, and drying them out will help reduce their growth.
Another way to reduce bacteria in your toothbrush is to soak it in an antibacterial mouth rinse.
Finally, it is recommended to change your toothbrush every 3 or 4 months although I like to replace mine every month.
Ah! And don’t keep your toothbrush uncovered in the bathroom to avoid brushing your teeth with fecal matter. Yikes!
5. Laundry basket
A laundry basket is used to collect dirty clothes before washing them. This means that all of the dirt, food particles, and bodily fluids often found on laundry just sit in the basket until the clothes are tossed into the
washing machine.
The germy clothes get taken care of in the wash, but all of the lingering microbes remain in the laundry basket.
Putting clean clothes in this basket after they are out of the washing machine is completely anti-productive.
Before tossing your clean laundry into the basket, make sure to get rid of the germs and bacteria first.
This can be done by thoroughly washing it with soap and warm water (and drying it completely), or using an antibacterial wipe.
If you want to avoid germs on your laundry basket line, it with a disposable bag, or a cloth one (and you can throw it in the washer with your clothes every time you do laundry).
And maybe next time you need a new laundry basket you will consider one (like this one) with a removable liner.
6. Sinks and bathtub
As previously mentioned, germs and bacteria thrive in wet environments. Sinks and bathtubs are germ hotspots because their surface is almost always moist.
To keep germs from collecting in your sinks and bathtubs, be sure to thoroughly clean them using a diluted bleach solution or any other disinfectant product. Pat them dry regularly.
To minimize your interaction with sink and bathtub germs, try to avoid touching the surfaces as much as possible.
7. Salt and pepper shakers
Salt and pepper shakers are thought to be the dirtiest items on the table (after a restaurant menu).
This is because our hands carry a lot of bacteria and germs. Once you grab the salt or pepper shaker, germs from your hands transfer to the surface.
If you are using a salt and pepper shaker at home, make sure to wash and
disinfect it regularly.
And if you are going to a restaurant, you could carry with you antibacterial wipes, and give the salt and pepper shakers a clean before you touch them.
This will help you avoid all the germs from the people who used it before you!
