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There is an old saying that ‘cleanliness is close to godliness,’ this basically means that it is important to always keep yourself and space clean. Hence, The Mattress Warehouse decided to uncover everyone’s dirty secrets by consulting with a microbiologist to determine the dirtiest items in your home.
In addition a survey of over 2000 South Africans was conducted to determine how often people are cleaning these common household items.
More than half of the survey respondents indicated that they are either confident or very confident that their homes are clean, with around 87% saying they clean their kitchen sinks on a daily basis.
READ MORE | From yoga mats to mop heads, here are 15 household items you can clean in a washing machine
These are the top 15 dirtiest in your home:
- The kitchen sink
This can be cleaned with a multi-purpose kitchen cleaner.
- The toilet bowl
A household approved toilet sanitiser solution can be used for overall toilet hygiene.
- Kitchen Rags and sponges
Boil in water for at least 15 minutes. Also discard the rags or sponges after a few months.
- The shower or bathtub
Clean the shower and tub everyday by rinsing and scrubbing with a multipurpose householder bathroom cleaner.
- Children’s toys
Add the toys to a bleach solution and allow them to soak for at least 15 minutes to kill off bacteria.
- Cell Phones
Use a lint-free cloth that is lightly dampened with soap and water solution to gently pat clean.
- Laptop, PC Screens and Keyboards
Use a cloth dipped in an isopropyl solution to give the area a thorough wipe-down.
- Bedding & Linen
Wash clean in a washing machine or by hand.
- The Mattress
Zaach Smith, founder and owner of The Mattress Warehouse says that "while you don't have to clean the mattress every day or every month, it's certainly advisable to clean it in order to improve its longevity and air quality."
- Toothbrush
Clean your toothbrush every day by running hot water over the bristles before and after each use.
- TV Remote Control
Clean at least once a week by using a disinfectant wipe to lightly rub over the remote control.
- Water Bottles
Add a teaspoon of vinegar and baking soda to the bottle, fill with warm water and allow the bottle to stand overnight. Rinse thoroughly the next day.
- Cutting Board
Clean your cutting board after each use by scrubbing with a brush under hot water with an approved household cleaning solution.
- Shoes
Scrub your shoes in warm water if possible, using a cleaning solution like laundry detergent.
- Doorknobs and Light Switches
A weekly clean-up by wiping down with a cloth soaked in an approved household disinfectant or cleaning solution is recommended.
READ MORE | 5 things you can do to help your domestic worker
I asked how other women keep their dirtiest items clean, here's what they said:
How do you keep the dirtiest items in your house clean? Tell us here
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