Ever get that feeling that your house is never really completely clean? You could just be looking for dust in all the wrong places. There are all sorts of places for germs and dirt to hide out when overlooked or forgotten in our regular cleaning routines. Take a look at some of the common culprits that can make your house look dirtier:

1.Overlooking Your Coffee Maker

You might use your coffee maker every morning, but how often do you clean it? A study found that the coffee reservoir in your coffee maker could be one of the “germiest” places in your house. This does not necessarily mean that you and your morning cup of joe have to part ways. Most coffee makers have removable parts that can be easily hand washed and you can clean and decalcify your machine every few weeks by brewing a mixture that is equal parts vinegar and water.

2. Neglecting Frequently Touched Items

The most frequently touched items in your home might also be the ones you are forgetting to clean. Things like light switches and door handles can collect bacteria and germs that spread each time they are touched. You can quickly wipe down the frequently touched items in your home once or twice a week with disinfecting wipes.

3. Overfilling the Dishwasher

Next time you think there is definitely room for one more in your dishwasher, you might want to think again. Overcrowding can prevent your dishes from getting completely clean. Not to mention you run the risk of damaging or breaking your dishes if they are close enough to scrape against each other. On the other hand, it is not efficient to underload your dishwasher and have to run extra loads. To get the most out of your dishwashing, try to find a happy medium. Next time you’re loading up the dishwasher, do not hesitate to fill it, just make sure your dishes have the space they need to get completely clean

4. Overusing Your Cleaning Rag

Your trusty old cleaning rag can turn on you! Old cleaning rags can get to the point where they are no longer cleaning but instead making your house dirtier. Disinfect and wash or replace your cleaning rags frequently to improve their performance and stop spreading germs.

5. Storing A Wet Toilet Brush

Your toilet brush should help to keep your bathroom clean, not dirty. Placing a wet toilet brush back into its holder creates a wet, dark and warm environment where bacteria and mold can grow. To avoid this common cleaning misstep, you should clean your toilet brush after use with a disinfectant like rubbing alcohol and allow it to dry completely before storing it.

6. Using an Old and Dirty Sponge

Your sponges can help with a lot of cleaning but that does not necessarily mean that they are clean. Your sponges should be discarded regularly and cleaned often. There are a variety of ways to clean your sponges, like soaking them in a bleach and water mixture. One of the fastest and most effective ways to clean a sponge is to soak it in water and microwave it for one to two minutes, nuking away around 99.9% of germs.

Nobody wants to make their house dirtier, especially not in the process of trying to clean it. Keep these 6 things in mind next time you want a thorough and sparkling clean!

Sources:

https://www.thespruce.com/dishwasher-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them-1901143

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a26565/cleaning-coffee-maker/

http://www.nsf.org/newsroom_pdf/2011_NSF_Household_Germ_Study_exec-summary.pdf

https://www.cleanconscience.com/blog/2014/07/bathroom-cleaning-mistakes/

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/a18731/how-to-clean-a-sponge/

https://www.thelist.com/42439/things-in-your-house-you-probably-never-think-to-clean/

International Germ Household Study:

http://www.nsf.org/newsroom_pdf/2011_NSF_Household_Germ_Study_exec-summary.pdf