20 Objects We Should Clean Much More Often Than We Thought

Certain people are passionate about cleanliness, always willing to show up with a sponge and soap in front of any dirt to make everything shine again. On the other hand, there are those who are a little more relaxed and don’t worry so much about the smallest details. The secret to good cleaning lies in the frequency with which we perform maintenance on environments and objects. Thus, we can adopt habits that make it possible to make better use of our time and be sure that everything will always be impeccable.

O awesome.club prepared a small list with objects that need to be cleaned more often. Otherwise, we could end up putting our own health at risk.

Without the correct cleaning, this utensil, present in practically all kitchens, can put all family members at risk. The most recommended thing is to have a different board for each type of food, using bactericidal detergent and hot water to clean and remove food residue. It is also important to dry the boards well to avoid moisture, which favors the proliferation of microorganisms.

However, in addition to superficial cleaning, it is necessary to maintain deep disinfection routines using salt and lemon, preferably. In this way, it is possible to eliminate all bacteria that may still be on the surface of the board. It is necessary to leave the ingredients acting for five minutes, removing the excess with a paper towel after that time. And don’t forget to change the boards when they show imperfections or cracks that make cleaning difficult.

Wood is a very porous material, which allows the absorption of many substances. Leftover food and moisture are among them. Therefore, the cleaning of such utensils must be done immediately after use, and they must be very dry when they are to be stored. This way, we can avoid further contamination of food and the proliferation of bacteria.

The bathroom, more specifically the toilet, is a great host for the Escherichia coli bacteria, which can be found up to two meters away from the toilet and the sink. In view of this, the recommended thing is to do a weekly deep cleaning to combat the problem and prevent the proliferation of the microorganism.

Also, bathtubs need to be sanitized every 15 days or weekly if used very often.

Mold is the biggest enemy of bathrooms, as its presence is common due to humidity, poor ventilation and temperature changes. For this reason, the shower curtain needs to be rinsed after each use in order to remove any and all soap residue. The bathroom should be kept ventilated to eliminate humidity and steam condensation.

However, in addition to routine cleaning after showering, the curtains must be thoroughly cleaned weekly, washing them in the machine with a little baking soda and soap (be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions in advance) in a cycle to delicate clothes and low temperature water. Next, the curtains need to dry out of direct sunlight.

Due to use, bath towels harbor a lot of bacteria, sweat and dead skin. So when they don’t dry completely, they end up becoming a perfect ecosystem for the emergence of germs. Consequently, the ideal is to change towels every two days and wash them immediately, preferably with water at high temperature, using a soap that contains active oxygen, so that the substance penetrates the tissues and kills the bacteria. Also, you need to avoid mixing towels with common use clothes.

Sheets absorb perspiration and oils released by the skin during sleep. Not to mention the accumulation of dust in the environment, which contributes to the emergence of dandruff and acne. Therefore, sheets should be changed once a week to ensure that the bed is always clean and free of microorganisms.

It is already known that areas where food is stored or prepared tend to have more bacteria and fecal contamination than other places in the house. More than 75% of sponges and dishcloths tend to have Salmonella, E. coli and faecal matter, compared to 9% found on bathroom faucets.

However, such objects do not require any special handling. Just leave the sponges in boiling water (for two minutes) or put them every other day in the microwave, when they are still wet (also for two minutes). This is enough to eliminate the bacteria present on the surface of these objects, and by adopting the technique, you will only need to replace them when they deteriorate. As for the cloths used in the kitchen, it is recommended to wash them weekly, unless they have come into contact with raw meat. In such cases, they need to be washed immediately.

According to Natalie Barret, cleaning supervisor and expert at Nifty Cleaning Services, pillows need to be washed between three and six months. Depending on the perspiration of each person, the recommendation is that pillows be washed twice a year, but in special cases, more frequent cleaning may be necessary.

Alex Savy, certified sleep science professional and founder of SleepingOcean, explains that pillows are carriers of sweat, dead skin, dust and germs, attracting the dust mites that cause allergies, eye irritation, rashes and an increased risk of developing asthma.

The fridge houses all kinds of food, and the items begin to share a small ecosystem. Therefore, it is necessary to organize food according to type, in order to avoid cross-contamination. It is estimated that deep cleaning four times a year and weekly maintenance are enough to keep the space clean.

Philip Tierno Jr., clinical professor of microbiology and pathology at the New York University School of Medicine, assures us that “stoves are often neglected. Food that is spilled or splashed without immediate cleaning up can soon become an ideal medium for microbes to grow.”

On the other hand, Melissa Maker, a cleaning specialist, considers that stoves should be cleaned after each use, using a universal cleaning product and a microfiber cloth. The oven, on the other hand, needs to be cleaned every three months, when there is burnt food inside it, or in the event that smoke is released during use.

In one study, it was shown that conventional washing machines are not free from harboring germs, especially when no bleach is used during washes. Thus, the ideal is to carry out a cycle without clothes, weekly or fortnightly, with just water and a cup of chlorine. If the appliance has a special cycle against microorganisms, the manufacturer’s recommendations must be followed.

The accumulation of leftover food and detergent forms layers of dirt that can end up making the sink an environment conducive to the development of bacteria and fungi, due to constant contact with food and waste on the surface. To avoid this problem, it is necessary to clean the sink weekly with a mild chlorine solution.

This refrigerator accessory, despite being generally forgotten, harbors the greatest amount of moisture and dirt. Rubber bands are necessary for the fridge to remain hermetically closed and keep the internal cold. When they do not undergo periodic cleaning, they can affect the correct storage of food, causing it to spoil ahead of time. Therefore, it is recommended to clean the rubbers twice a year with a toothbrush and toothpaste, removing the excess with a damp cloth and letting it dry.

Another utensil involved in food cross-contamination is the blender. Residue from ingredients blended into the appliance can become trapped in the appliance, which requires a good cleaning with antibacterial detergent and water each time the appliance is used. Also, after three or four uses, it’s good to do a deep cleaning with vinegar, water and detergent to combat bad odors. The mixture needs to be whipped for five minutes, and then you should rinse the device and wait until it dries completely.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, we lose between 50 and 100 hairs daily, and most of them end up tangled up in the brush. For this reason, the inconstant cleaning of the object can make it a focus of dirt, bacteria and fungi.

There are no rules when it comes to cleaning the brush, as everything will depend on the use and products applied to the hair. If you use creams or hairspray for your locks, weekly cleaning will suffice. But if you don’t use any products, cleaning can be carried out every two or three weeks. It is also worth remembering that the ideal is to remove the threads tangled in the bristles every two days.

These indispensable objects accompany us no matter where we are, they are usually left on the most diverse surfaces, and it is even common for other people to also have contact with them. Keys and cell phones turn your hands into true hosts for germs, causing microorganisms to reach anywhere you touch, including your face and mouth.

Therefore, it is good to disinfect cell phones and keys at least once a day, or after each use.

Coffee makers are indispensable items in the home of coffee lovers, but cleaning filters and deposits is a necessary habit to preserve health. Therefore, it is necessary to clean the coffee maker after each use, removing the filters and cleaning the brewing container. You should also promote a descaling cleaning every three months to remove residues from the internal parts.

The pets make the whole house happy, in addition to guaranteeing faithful company. But it is essential to bear in mind that pets can transmit various diseases to humans, which requires care in cleaning the objects they use, such as feeders (wash after each meal), water containers (every two days), toys (according to the hygiene specifications of each one of them), as well as any element with which the animal has frequent contact.

These decorative elements, which give a…