5 Dirtiest Things In Your Home!
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Windows & Door Tracks
One of the most overlooked areas in a home that should be cleaned regularly are windows and door tracks.
The tracks of windows and doors tend to hold a lot of dust, dirt and dead bugs. They may be tough to clean at times, but can leave us more susceptible to colds and respiratory bugs (YUCK!).
So how do you clean them?
You can start by vacuuming to remove any large pieces of dirt and debris. For stuck on dirt, spray it down with water and let it sit for a little while.
Use a cleaning toothbrush to break up any caked on debris then use a microfiber cloth to wipe the remaining residue.
Here’s a quick how-to..
Electronics
Whether it’s your cellphone, a remote control or a video game controller, electronic devices tend to get swept under the carpet when it comes time for cleaning.
Not many people realize that anything that you touch can carry a lot of germs and bacteria on it.
Studies have shown that a mobile phone can have up to 18 times more bacteria than toilet handles. GROSS. Washing your hands regularly will help protect against the spread of germs and protect you from illness.
For a quick fix, wipe hand held devices regularly with a microfiber cloth sprayed with a 50/50 mix of water and alcohol.
Leave it for 3-5 minutes to let the alcohol get to work and it’ll dry quickly afterwards.
Some hand held devices need a little bit more TLC to remove crumbs and built up grime and for that, we have a couple of quick how-to videos for popular electronic devices:
Clean a Game Controller
Clean a Keyboard
Ceiling Fan
Out of sight, out of mind right?
Unfortunately, ceiling fans are not something that should be left to fester. Fan blades that are forgotten about can build-up a thick layer of dust, similar to mold on ripe fruit. Particles from the dust that builds up can spread throughout the room every time the fan is used, contributing to sinus infections and allergies. Not to mention it spreads dust throughout your home which means more cleaning for you.
An easy fix we found was to spray the inside of a pillowcase/cloth bag with a solution of two tablespoons white vinegar and water.
- Using a ladder or stool to leverage yourself, insert each blade into the pillowcase and drag it along the blade’s surface to clean.
- The pillowcase collects the dust while cleaning it and helps prevent excess dust from falling onto surfaces below.
- After each blade is cleaned, use a cloth to clean up any leftover dust or residue.
Sounds like you’re a….fan 
Toothbrush
You put it in your mouth twice daily, but do you know what’s on your toothbrush?
Most people rinse their brush after they use it and leave it damp, creating a playground for bacteria to grow on. And it’s not just your mouth you have to worry about.
Germs and bacteria from your toilet get sprayed up into the air every time the toilet is flushed. Here’s a gross fact for you: Germs can stay airborne in the bathroom for at least two hours after each flush before landing on surfaces!
So what can you do to help yourself?
- Put your toothbrush as far from the toilet as possible. Try to find a place it can be stored upright so that it can air out and dry between uses.
- It’s a good idea to replace your toothbrush every 3 months, and close your toilet lid before flushing.
- If you’re looking to clean it, try running it through the dishwasher once a week since the high heat will help sterilize the brush.
- For a quick disinfecting trick, let it sit in mouthwash containing alcohol, like Listerine, for 30 seconds.
Doorknobs, Handles & Light Switches
Touch here. Touch there. Touch this. Touch that. But do you know where your hands, or the hands of your family members have been?
They’re most likely one of the last items you think to clean yet one that needs it the most.
When you think about the number of times doorknobs, cabinet handles and light switches get used, it’s easy to see how they can be loaded with germs. Lucky for you, it’s the easiest and quickest thing to clean and disinfect!
So what do you need?
A microfiber cloth and either rubbing alcohol or a 50/50 mix of water and rubbing alcohol will work.
Apply to any area ridden with bacteria and let it sit for 3-5 minutes to kill any lingering germs. For delicate surfaces, apply the mixture to a cloth instead of spraying it on the surface directly.
Wipe clean for a bacteria free-finish!
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Some of these I knew but great addition with the window tracks, especially in the spring and fall. This will also lengthen the life of the windows and doors.
Thank you so much for addressing the ceiling fan one. I have NOTORIOUS allergies and always suspected the dust on the fan wasn’t helping! Thanks so much!