TOP 10 THINGS TO CLEAN AT HOME (ALMOST) EVERYDAY

In this moment of hyper-awareness about COVID-19 and how it spreads, the CDC recommends we do two basic things:

1. Wash our hands (properly and often)

2. Keep high-touch/high traffic surfaces clean.

We’ve talked a lot about hand-washing, but there are plenty of high-touch, household surfaces that many of us forget to clean on the daily.

1. The Remotes. People rarely think to clean them, but they are one of the most touched things in your home. Fun Fact: The phone and TV remote are the first things I clean when I check into a hotel room.

2. The Kitchen Sponge. We’ve said it before; sponges are for cleaning (not dish washing). A wet sponge full of food particles is a bacteria farm. Use a dish brush for dishes and reserve your sponge for cleaning. Replace it every month (at most!) and always clean it with dish soap, and wring it out to dry when you’re done using it.

3. Your Devices. Think about how many times a day you touch your phone. Now think about all of the places you put your phone down. I’ll wait…Now imagine pressing your cheek to a restaurant table or the top of a public toilet shelf. Yeah, gross. Don’t forget to do your keyboard and mouse as well.

4. Light switches. Especially in the bathroom. You know why.

5. Door Knobs. Clean the inside AND the outside.

6. Fridge Handle/Cabinet Drawer Handles. The fridge handle is one door that everyone in the house opens multiple times a day. It deserves a daily spray and wipe.

7. Toilet roll holders and Flush Handle. First of all, PUT THE LID DOWN. Every time you flush the toilet, the water from the bowl sprays around the room up to 6 feet! That includes the toilet roll holder. Do the right thing and give the top of the tank, the handle and the seat a quick spritz and wipe down with toilet paper.

8. The Toothbrush Holder. A cup type toothbrush holder is literally a breeding ground for bacteria. Don’t do it! Ever since I read about the toilet spray thing, I've started keeping my toothbrush in a drawer. BTW: You should replace your toothbrush every 3 /4 months (please get a biodegradable one). I use a porcelain tray and rub mine on a Himalayan Pink Salt Bar while it’s still damp for an extra anti-bacterial punch.

9. Your wallet and cards. A 2012 study found that one in 10 bankcards were contaminated with fecal matter. Ugh! Empty your wallet, and spray and wipe everything. Then wash your hands again.

10. The Steering Wheel. OK, not strictly in the house but it makes sense to clean it since you’re touching shopping cart handles, elevator buttons, public door handles and then you get into your car and touch the steering wheel. Then you touch your face. Mine was totally grimy before I cleaned it. I keep a bottle of All-Purpose Cleaner in the cup holder now!