14 everyday objects you are forgetting to clean

Caroline FoxMay 14, 2020, 04:03 IST

If you wear headphones daily, you should probably start cleaning them.Brad Barket/Stringer/Getty Images for DJ D-Nice

While you may be routinely doing laundry and wiping down countertops, germs also collect in a variety of odd nooks around the house.
When cleaning, a good rule of thumb is to wipe down all high-touch objects around the house and always read the instructions on the label of your cleaning solution.
Your credit cards, steering wheel, tea kettle, and toothbrush holder shouldn't be ignored when you're cleaning.
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Many of us have a standard cleaning routine around the house. However, there are plenty of unexpected places where dirt and germs may be lurking.

Insider spoke with Dr. Andrew Janowski, instructor of pediatric infectious diseases at Washington University School of Medicine and St Louis Children's Hospital, who advised paying close attention to high-touch items you use daily, including remote controls, laptops, and any objects exposed to water, which is a common living space for bacteria.

Disinfecting these under-cleaned objects can have other benefits too. Cleaning out old crumbs, dirt, and grease keeps these items in good condition and boosts their lifespan.

Keep reading to discover items and spots around your house you should incorporate into your cleaning routine.

Read the original article on Insider

Outside of your home, your car also has high-touch surfaces, including the steering wheel and door handles.

All the knobs, buttons, and handles in your car should be cleaned from time to time. Karyne Levy/Business Insider

You'd be surprised by how much bacteria your headphones are harboring.

If you workout with headphones, you should definitely be cleaning them. Hollis Johnson

Video game controllers are also germ hubs.

Think of how often you touch the remote and then touch your face. chrisjohnsson/Shutterstock

The TV remote is another communal item that accumulates tons of filth.

Think of all the loose crumbs stuck in between those buttons. Dean Drobot/Shutterstock

Laptops are used constantly throughout the day and sometimes shared between friends and family, making them high-touch points that need to be cleaned thoroughly.

Disinfecting the keyboard, screen, mouse, and cables is important to keeping your desk space clean. Crystal Cox/Insider

Considering how often we use our phones, they deserve to be the top priority when cleaning.

Apple has step-by-step disinfecting instructions available online. Crystal Cox/Business Insider

Washing your pillows is usually an afterthought when cleaning the bedroom, but they are actually a hub for dust, drool, and dead skin.

Replacing the pillowcase isn't always enough. Shutterstock

Light switches are also constantly being touched.

Don't forget about the light switch in your bathroom or bedroom. Steve Kovach/Business Insider

It's important to clean even the small items in your bathroom, especially your toothbrush and its holder.

Swap out your toothbrush for a fresh replacement after you are sick. Nick Starichenko/Shutterstock

If you are going out to purchase groceries or other supplies, you should be cleaning the cards in your wallet.

Your credit cards are filthy and take less than a minute to clean. Joe Raedle/Getty

It's important to be mindful of the surfaces of your groceries, including reusable bags and packaged, frozen foods.

You should routinely put your reusable bags in the washing machine. David Duprey/AP

Your sponge sitting by the kitchen sink should be replaced about once a week.

After using your sponge for about a week, only use it for wiping down countertops. Getty Images

After disinfecting the handles and knobs, be sure to also wipe down the buttons on your stove, microwave, and other common kitchen appliances.

Your microwave knobs should be cleaned. Zynatis/Shutterstock

The handles on your refrigerator, freezer, and cabinets should be routinely sanitized.

Wiping down the handles on your cabinet drawers can get rid of all the grease and dried crumbs. Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

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