If you had to list the dirtiest places in your home, without a doubt, the toilet would be one of the first places you thought about. However, there are other areas which can be every bit as dirty, but for which we don’t spare a thought! There are certain objects and places that can become nests for bacteria, whether it’s due to humidity, dirty hands that never stop touching them, or their function. For example, have you ever considered your germ filled sponges, your sinks with all their cosy nooks and crannies much loved by bacteria, or even your door handles that build up and transfer dirt? In this article, we are going to provide you with 7 such examples, as well as some ideas for how to keep them clean. Phew!
1) Sponges
Above all, make sure that your sponges are well rinsed and free from all debris. Machine washing is possible, but a hand wash will suffice.
- Soak your sponge overnight in a container of oxygenated water. If it produces bubbles, it means the technique is working! You can do the same with the juice of half a lemon. Remember to rinse it well afterwards.
- Do you find you don’t have the patience for that? You can mix water and vinegar in equal parts, put your sponge into the mixture, and heat the whole lot for 2 minutes in the microwave. Leave it to cool afterwards.
- Otherwise, pop the sponge into the dishwasher (with something to cover it or place it under a large bowl to keep it in place).
Remember that you can easily revive old sponges in order to make them last longer. Find the method here.
2) Your toothbrush and its holder
Your mouth is one of the places where you find the most bacteria. If that doesn’t make you want to give a good clean to anything related to it, we don’t know what will!
- Toothbrushes need to be replaced around every 3 months, but in between changes, pop your toothbrush into the dishwasher from time to time to clean it.
- You can also run it under hot water for 30 seconds to rinse it, and dip the bristles into 3% oxygenated water (or stronger if possible). Leave it to soak for an hour and rinse it well with good hot water for 20 seconds.
- As for the toothbrush holder, it needs to be regularly and carefully cleaned with hot soapy water. You can then leave it to soak in 3% oxygenated water for an hour before rinsing and leaving it to dry naturally.
3) Your pets’ dishes
- Your pet’s dishes need to be cleaned very regularly with soap and hot water. Mix some washing up liquid with a little bicarbonate of soda to help scrub and remove any encrusted dirt (this also helps clean up the drool). White vinegar is another good option, if you leave it to work overnight before scrubbing.
- Next add oxygenated water and leave it to work for one hour. Rinse it with care and fill the bowl up again with food or water.
- You could also give it a turn in the dishwasher, if you have one.
4) The coffee machine
We have already given you a few tips for cleaning your coffee making devices. But if you would like to disinfect and deeply clean them, you can use white vinegar or oxygenated water (but never both at the same time).
If possible, start by cleaning the water tank with soapy water. Next fill it with a mixture of equal parts water and 3% oxygenated water, and leave it to sit for 30 minutes. Run the water through the machine as if to make a coffee, and you are sure to spot that it makes bubbles, resembling sparkling water as it runs through. Empty the mixture. Continue by filling the reservoir again with equal parts water and distilled white vinegar, and run this through the machine. Finish by rinsing with plain water, running it twice through the machine to remove any residues or traces of the vinegar and oxygenated water from the machine.
5) The sink
- You can spray some 3% oxygenated water and rinse it off in order to disinfect the sink. If the water makes lots of bubbles, don’t hesitate to repeat the operation, as this is a sign that there is a lot of bacteria in the sink.
- With a little elbow grease, some kosher salt and a grapefruit, you can effectively scrub your sink and remove any traces of limescale, rust or dirt. This technique is explained in full here.
- If you don’t have the energy for all that, soak a tea towel and/or some paper towels in white vinegar and use them to line the base of the sink. This technique will remove dirt to the max, and you can give a wipe of a sponge afterwards to perfect the job.
6) Taps and door handles in the bathrooms
The door handles are easily dealt with! Simply give them a wipe using oxygenated water. These areas need to be cleaned, as we are forever touching them with hands that are still wet (which bacteria simply loves). A cloth and some white vinegar could also come in handy.
By the way, remember to give a wipe to any switches in the area as well, which can quickly turn dark coloured due to built up dirt!
7) The buttons on the oven
The majority of such buttons can be easily removed. But be gentle and use a knife to help you, and don’t force too hard. Once you have the buttons in your hand, soak them for a few minutes in hot soapy water or white vinegar. During this time, soak your cloth in white vinegar and scrub the area where the buttons were, to make sure it is good and clean before you replace the buttons. Once that is done, scrub the buttons themselves with your sponge, dry them well and put them back in place.
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