We may think of ourselves as clean freaks, making sure the toilet seat and floors are kept clean and germ free – but what about the forgotten germs? The things we touch several times a day but for some reason never think to clean on a regular basis. We all need a little reminder now and again, so we’ve listed our top 5 everyday items you forget to clean below.
Think about how often we open doors and turn on lights around the home every day. It’s even been said that a bathroom light switch can house as much bacteria as a rubbish bin – and you wouldn’t forget to clean your bin now would you?
To clean switches and handles around the home is super easy – just wipe over with disinfectant on a microfibre cloth to remove any nasty bacteria.
The shower gets used every day and is often top of the list to clean – but are you as thorough as you think?
Over time mineral deposits can build up which can cause the nozzles to squirt water in all directions or clog up completely, leaving you with poor water pressure or low flow. Here are our top tips to help get your shower head back to peak performance.
Clean your shower head every few weeks by filling a sandwich bag with white vinegar and tying it around the head. Let this soak for an hour, then remove the bag and turn on the shower to rinse. Finish by polishing with a cloth to look brand new.
We may clean our hands after leaving the bathroom (which is a whole other topic for another day), but we don’t clean our TV remote control after their contact with germs. Then we go and touch our faces, our food, our loved ones . . .
Channel hopping and family squabbles over what to watch means that germs quickly build up on the remote.
Before you start cleaning make sure you remove the batteries. Then use the same mixture and method as above to wipe down the remote, before using a cotton swab to get into the crevices. Finally, dry the remote, pop the batteries back in and let the squabbles commence.
How many times a day do you touch your mobile phone? Having never thought about it, you will be surprised to learn it’s a lot more often than we imagined—for most of us.
According to a research conducted by Reviews.org , the average user engages with their mobile phone 5.5 hours per day in Australia, means you constantly touching your phone. Wow!
In one way is through the transference of faeces (poop) to the mouth. And guess what? Most mobile phones have approximately 18 times more bacteria than a PUBLIC restroom!
In a recent study conducted by the Wall Street Journal, lab scientists randomly tested mobile phones in a Chicago building and discovered they all tested positive for high levels of the disease-causing microbe coliform (from fecal matter). Scientists from the United Kingdom claim around one in six mobile phones are so contaminated. Urrggh!
Think about how often you clean your mobile phone—other than a quick wipe with the hem of your top, I mean. Rarely? Never? Me either. Most of us just don’t think about it.
We use our phones all the time (even on the toilet!) and don’t dare clean them for fear of damage, but there is a less abrasive way to kill those germs. Mix equal parts rubbing alcohol and water in a small spray bottle and shake. Lightly spray onto a Vileda microfibre cloth and rub all over your phone. Do this once a week to keep harmful germs away.
Whether it’s listening to the latest podcast on your commute or your workout playlist at the gym headphones are used daily, and often left in your coat pocket between sessions collecting fluff and other bits of dirt or in your handbag along with other staff. To clean, brush with an old toothbrush to remove earwax and other bits of dirt. Then dip a cotton swab in a gentle cleanser (e.g., soap and water) to clean the buds, and do the same with a cloth to clean the cords.
