You may not see them, but they’re there.

Germs, multiplying in places you’d never suspect. Who knew the washing machine and sink drain could be so gross?

Luckily, it doesn’t take a ton of effort to keep germs at bay.

Start in the kitchen.

• Your cutting board may be one of the dirtiest objects in your house. Make sure you wash cutting boards in hot, soapy water after every use (or run them through the dishwasher).
• Your kitchen counters, sinks and faucet handles may not be far behind, when it comes to germs. Clean the surfaces (especially the drain) with disinfecting wipes every day.
• Sponges and dish rags are some of the dirtiest items in your house. Microwave wet sponges daily for two minutes, and toss them out after two weeks. If you use a dish rag, wash it in a hot washing cycle and switch to a clean rag every couple of days.
• Wipe down kitchen countertops and the sink daily with hot, soapy water and follow up with a sanitizing bleach cleaner.

Pet stuff

Pet toys and bowls are also on the list of the dirtiest items in your house, prone to grow bacteria, yeast and mold. Wash pet toys with hot soapy water (or toss fabric toys in the washing machine), and clean pet bowls daily.

Door handles and light switches

These can get incredibly germy, and they’re not always top of mind while cleaning. When you’re doing a routine clean-up, add a swipe with a disinfecting wipe on all your handles (including the toilet handle) and light switches.

The bathroom

Your toothbrush holder hasn’t been cleaned in a while, has it? Besides taking time to wipe that down a couple of times a week (or running it through the dishwasher), make sure you give other surfaces a disinfecting cleaning on a regular basis.

• Close the toilet lid when you flush to contain germs (and keep them from getting on your toothbrush).
• Wash the toilet, floor, tub, sink and shower with an all-purpose cleaner.

The laundry room

Towels can become a breeding ground for germs. Make sure you regularly wash towels (and wash gym towels after every workout), keeping bathroom towels separate from kitchen towels.

Be vigilant about washing bed sheets once a week in hot water.

Your washing machine could also use a cleaning. Run it empty with one cup of bleach once a week.

Frequently touched objects

The television remote can get pretty dirty. So can the phone and your computer keyboard. Make sure you regularly disinfect frequently touched objects with antibacterial wipes.
If someone is sick in your house, make these routine clean-ups more frequent to prevent the spread of illness.

And always make sure you and everyone in your household follow good hand hygiene. Hand washing is essential to preventing the spread of germs. Wash more frequently if someone in the home is sick.

Our convenient care options can handle your non-emergency urgencies, such as minor coughs and fevers. Learn more about our Walk-In Clinics and Immediate Care Centers.

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