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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Neil Shaw

Seven germ-ridden household items we never clean but definitely should

An expert has revealed the most common germ-ridden items in the home that we never clean but really should. These forgotten items that we use every day are often a whole host of nasty bacteria that could end up making us ill.

Terry Fisher, of home buying service www.webuyanyhome.com, said: “We all try to keep on top of the cleaning and dusting in our homes, but it’s not always easy. Beyond the obvious places such as the kitchen surfaces, floors and the bathroom, there are a whole host of surfaces in our homes that are often neglected.

“We touch items such as light switches, TV remote controls, laptop keyboards and kettles every day, but how often do we really clean and disinfect them?

“These surfaces can provide a nice home for a range of bacteria, from Staphylococcus aureus and salmonella to E.coli and mould. When giving your home a good clean it’s important to think of the common items and surfaces we touch regularly that could be transferring germs to from our hands.”

A study found more than 340 different bacteria on some 30 household items, with the dish sponge being crowned the most contaminated followed by the toothbrush holder. Kitchen sinks, pet bowls and coffee holders were also named in the top five most contaminated household items we touch regularly.

Not all bacteria are harmful to the body, but several can contribute to illnesses such as colds, throat infections and fevers.

Light switches and plug sockets

We switch appliances on and off regularly using one of the biggest breeding grounds for bacteria - our hands.

Just like any other surface in the home that we touch regularly, these should be disinfected once a week.

Television remote control

Watching telly is one of our most-loved habits in the UK and few of us go through the day without sitting down in front of it to relax.

But our channel-hopping could be making us ill if we neglect to disinfect the remote control regularly.

Kettle

Many of us would struggle to get through the mornings with a cup of tea or coffee and it’s often one of the little luxuries that help us through the day.

As such, the kettle is often one of the most-used items in our kitchens but perhaps isn’t cleaned as regularly as more obvious items such as chopping boards or surfaces.

Microwave

An essential part of many kitchens, we use these regularly to cook or reheat our food quickly and conveniently.

But it’s important to remember to regularly clean and disinfect both the inside and the outside, including knobs or touch-screen buttons, at least once a week.

Computer keyboards

Our computers, tablets and laptops are key parts of our lives, whether we use them for leisure or for work, so our hands are constantly in contact with them.

But failing to disinfect our keyboards regularly allows the germs and bacteria to continue to build up and for new ones to be transferred from our fingers, too.

Toothbrush holder

Another dirt offender hiding in plain sight, we use the toothbrush holder every day without even thinking it needs to be cleaned too.

We also don’t realise that they can pick up germs that are released into the air from the toilet when we flush.

Again, it’s recommended to disinfect them at least once a week.

Rubbish bin

Of course, we line our bins with bags to make it easier and more hygienic to throw out our rubbish.

But that doesn’t mean that the bin containers are immune to germs, especially if there are leaks from the bags.

Try to disinfect them with a spray after each bag is removed to keep them nice and clean, and to prevent any nasty odours from plaguing our homes, too.

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