Have You Cleaned This Lately?

Compliments of Farima Alavi

Hi Friends,

Your weekly cleaning most likely includes vacuuming, dusting, wiping down surfaces and general tidying up. While all these are important for a healthy home, you may be missing some of the dirtiest spots. Check out our top picks for what you should clean now such as your Toothbrush & Holder...

Disinfecting your toothbrush and holder is essential since they are used for personal hygiene. To properly clean, submerge the toothbrush head in mouthwash for at least 15 minutes, and rinse clean once a week. Make sure to replace your toothbrush often. To clean the holder, use a pipe cleaner to loosen any grime, and fill with mouthwash. Let sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing and drying. Eric Perry, 2014, DIY Network/Scripps Networks, LLC.

Wood Cutting Board


To disinfect and maintain a wood cutting board, rinse immediately after each use. To disinfect, use a little hydrogen peroxide and gently scrub with a clean sponge. Let sit for a few minutes, and wipe with the sponge. To deodorize, regularly spray pure white vinegar, and wipe clean. To remove stains, sprinkle coarse salt and scour the surface with a lemon, cut side down. Let sit for 5 minutes before thoroughly rinsing.

Dog Toys

CI-Kong_Wubba-Dog-Toy

As much as you love your pet, Fido's mouth is not clean. To keep pet toys bacteria free the safe way, soak plastic and rubber toys in one part vinegar and one part water for at least 30 minutes. Then, rinse and dry. For plush toys, place in the washing machine on gentle cycle in a lingerie bag and with minimal or sensitive detergent. Put in the dryer on cold air or low heat.

Reusable Grocery Bags

Easy DIY Reversible Make Knot Bags, Debbie Wolfe

Designate a few bags for just meat and poultry items, and disinfect after every use by wiping down with an anti-bacterial wipe. For durable fabrics, run through the washing machine every couple of weeks and hang to dry. For more delicate fabrics, wipe down with a sponge and mild soap.

Earbuds

Greg Kahn/Getty Images, 2013, DIY Network/Scripps Networks, LLC.

You probably use your earbuds daily, so they are one of the dirtiest items you own —especially if you share them. Use a wet toothbrush to loosen dust and dirt from the metal part. To properly disinfect, wipe down with a gentle cloth and a little mild soap.

Light Switches

Jeffrey Hamilton

You touch your light switch multiple times a day, so you need to keep it clean to prevent spreading germs. To disinfect, apply your cleaner of choice or rubbing alcohol on a clean cloth or paper towel, and wipe down the surface (Don't spray directly onto the plate). To get hard to reach cracks and corners, use a cotton swab. Repeat once a week.

So vacuuming and dusting are the obvious cleaning tasks, but as we've learned today we may be missing the dirtiest spots in our home...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

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Live well,
Yvonne