You may have learned in recent months to take extra steps to avoid germs in public, but what about at home?
Here are 10 common gross things in your house that need to be cleaned.
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Cell Phone
Your cell phone can be one of the most germ-ridden things you own. One study showed there are up to 4,200 bits of bacteria on a typical mobile device. To clean yours, mix water and 70% isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle, lightly spray a microfiber cloth, and wipe it across the screen and case at least weekly.
Cutting Board
Experts may disagree on which type of cutting board is more sanitary — wood, glass, ceramic or plastic — but they all hold lots of bacteria. One study showed some cutting boards had 200 times more fecal bacteria than a toilet seat! Give your cutting board extra scrubbing with hot water and soap before and after every use.
Coffee Maker Reservoir
Scientists found lots of yeast and mold in coffee machine reservoirs. To clean your, fill it with equal parts vinegar and water and brew it. Do it twice for best effect.
Kitchen Sink
Raw chicken, used coffee grinds, mystery leftovers and more can get a kitchen sink pretty gross. Most have a germ count of nearly 32,000 micro-organisms per 10 square centimeters — that's 70,000 times more bacteria than on a toilet handle! To prevent bacteria from growing, sprinkle on some baking soda and wipe it down with a vinegar-soaked paper towel. Or frequently use a commercial disinfectant.
Kitchen Sponge
Science says there are more than 321 million micro-organisms living in every gram of that sponge you use around the kitchen. You should clean it every day by heating it for a minute in the microwave while damp or by soaking it in some water with a little bit of bleach. And replace it more frequently. Or switch to rags and toss them in the laundry.
Pet Bowls
The yeast and mold living in your pet's bowls make them among the dirtiest places in your home, and they can make you or your pet sick. Run food and water bowls through the dishwasher on a regular basis.
Purses
Your purse goes everywhere with you, including public restrooms, so it picks up lots of bacteria. And a nasty bag can cross-contaminate other surfaces. Most can be cleaned inside and out with a disinfectant wipe or a little soap and water on a microfiber cloth.
Stove Knobs
Around a third of stove knobs are filled with yeast and mold, according to one study. To clean, take the knobs off and soak them in a solution of white vinegar and water. If the knobs can't be removed, spray them with the solution, let it sit for about 30 seconds, and wipe them down.
Toothbrush Holder
One-third of household toothbrush holders studied have coliform on or in them. That's an indication of fecal matter! Let it sit in a cup of vinegar for about an hour, then thoroughly rinse and dry it before you return the toothbrushes. Prevent contamination with good hand washing and storing your toothbrushes at a distance from the toilet.
Video Game Controller
Researchers says there are nearly 8,000 germs crawling over every 100 square centimeters of your game controller. To clean it, remove the batteries and scrub the cracks and crevices with a dry toothbrush. Then, wet a cloth with a mixture of water and rubbing alcohol and lightly rub it over the surface.
Bonus dirty place:
You! Check out the video.