HomeBeautiful
  • Open Homes
  • Bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor
  • Decorate
  • Hamptons
  • Podcasts
  • Beach House
  • hacks
HomeBeautiful
  • Open Homes
  • Bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor
  • Decorate
  • Hamptons
  • Podcasts
  • Beach House
  • hacks
Subscribe
Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right
Watch 2:03

Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right

{headline}

{headline}

15 Features that will sell your home

15 Features that will sell your home

5 things you DON’T need to do to prepare for COVID-19

5 things you DON’T need to do to prepare for COVID-19

Professional cleaner reveals grout cleaning hack

Professional cleaner reveals grout cleaning hack

Queer Eye's Bobby Berk launches new Australian furniture range

Queer Eye's Bobby Berk launches new Australian furniture range

{headline}

{headline}

10 dated decorating trends that are on the way out in 2020

10 dated decorating trends that are on the way out in 2020

These are the worst rated products at Kmart

These are the worst rated products at Kmart

Ikea announces first small format store in Sydney

Ikea announces first small format store in Sydney

{headline}

{headline}

EP 18: The delicious and inexpensive local fish you're likely to overlook

EP 18: The delicious and inexpensive local fish you're likely to overlook

Science says you should stop making your bed every day for the good of your health

Science says you should stop making your bed every day for the good of your health

Why can’t it be “Quiet Hour” at Coles all day, every day?

Why can’t it be “Quiet Hour” at Coles all day, every day?

Homeowner paints house in rainbow colours to support the YES vote

Homeowner paints house in rainbow colours to support the YES vote

A Hamptons-inspired family home on Sydney's lower North Shore

A Hamptons-inspired family home on Sydney's lower North Shore

8 small things that can take your home from blah to beautiful

8 small things that can take your home from blah to beautiful

5 things to know before buying a fire pit

5 things to know before buying a fire pit

  1. Home
  2. Lifestyle

7 germy places in your home that need to be disinfected now

When was the last time you thoroughly disinfected these hotspots? - by Laura Barry
  • 17 Mar 2020

It’s now more important than ever to keep your home clean and germ free. While your regular Sunday cleaning session may involve a vacuum, mop and wipedown of all surfaces, when was the last time you thoroughly disinfected your home?

WATCH: Looking for more ways to give your home a deep clean? Watch the video below for a list of crazy cleaning tips that really work

We’ve identified 7 places in your home that you should be disinfecting regularly to avoid bacteria build up and the spread of germs.

Blue gloves cleaning bench
Getty

1. Electronic devices

When was the last time you cleaned your mobile phone, tablet, laptop, keyboard or mouse? Pick up some electronic wipes or tech cleansing swabs and get to work on this regularly. Phones should be wiped down once a week under usual circumstances, and daily if you’re sick.

2. Handles

Doorknobs and handles on cupboards and drawers are some of the most high-traffic areas for germs.  Try to wipe them down with disinfectant every other week or so.

3. Kitchen sponges

Microwaving or boiling your sponge will not disinfect it. The best thing to do is replace it weekly.

4. Tea towels

Tea towels should be washed every two days and allowed to dry completely before being used again. Tea towels should only ever be used for one purpose, such as drying hands or drying dishes – never both.

5. Fridge

While a fridge may appear clean to the naked eye, this reliable home appliance can be home to all sorts of high-risk bacteria. Wipe down all shelves and compartments with disinfectant once per month.

6. Pet toys

While we love our furry companions, many pet toys spend a lot of time in the mouth of dogs and cats, not to mention the bacteria animals bring in on their paws. Regularly wash soft pet toys and bedding in the washing machine, and soak hard toys in a disinfectant solution.

7. Kids toys

Children often have a habit of picking up and putting down toys whenever and wherever, and some young children will pop toys into their mouths. Ensure all soft toys are going through a hygienic wash in the machine regularly, and hard water-tight toys are regularly washed in detergent.

This article first appeared on Better Homes and Gardens

You might also like:

7 mistakes to avoid when using bleach

  • Lifestyle
  • Housekeeping
Laura Barry
Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.

FREE Miranda Kerr Mug-SAVE 31%

by Royal Albert, when you subscribe

Subscribe Now
FREE Miranda Kerr Mug

FREE Miranda Kerr Mug-SAVE 31%

by Royal Albert, when you subscribe

Subscribe Now
FREE Miranda Kerr Mug

Recommended to you

Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right
Watch 2:03

Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right

{headline}

{headline}

15 Features that will sell your home

15 Features that will sell your home

5 things you DON’T need to do to prepare for COVID-19

5 things you DON’T need to do to prepare for COVID-19

Professional cleaner reveals grout cleaning hack

Professional cleaner reveals grout cleaning hack

Queer Eye's Bobby Berk launches new Australian furniture range

Queer Eye's Bobby Berk launches new Australian furniture range

{headline}

{headline}

10 dated decorating trends that are on the way out in 2020

10 dated decorating trends that are on the way out in 2020

These are the worst rated products at Kmart

These are the worst rated products at Kmart

Ikea announces first small format store in Sydney

Ikea announces first small format store in Sydney

{headline}

{headline}

EP 18: The delicious and inexpensive local fish you're likely to overlook

EP 18: The delicious and inexpensive local fish you're likely to overlook

Science says you should stop making your bed every day for the good of your health

Science says you should stop making your bed every day for the good of your health

Why can’t it be “Quiet Hour” at Coles all day, every day?

Why can’t it be “Quiet Hour” at Coles all day, every day?

Homeowner paints house in rainbow colours to support the YES vote

Homeowner paints house in rainbow colours to support the YES vote

A Hamptons-inspired family home on Sydney's lower North Shore

A Hamptons-inspired family home on Sydney's lower North Shore

8 small things that can take your home from blah to beautiful

8 small things that can take your home from blah to beautiful

5 things to know before buying a fire pit

5 things to know before buying a fire pit

HomeBeautiful
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
HomeBeautiful Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • marie claire
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • All Recipes
  • Practical Parenting
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Health Engine
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • Airtasker
  • Society One
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

FREE Miranda Kerr Mug-SAVE 31%

Shop This Offer
FREE Miranda Kerr Mug