10 Things You Should Always Clean Every Day (Without Question)

Life can get really dirty very quickly if you’re not careful. In fact, you most assuredly will find yourself needing to clean regularly because of kids, pets, family gatherings, and more. It’s essential to periodically clean to eliminate harmful germs and bacteria, especially amid the global pandemic that had us running to the nearest store for every disinfectant product imaginable.  

As your authority on everything cleaning, we know a few things about how and what you should be cleaning routinely to protect yourself and your family. Check out these 10 household items you should be cleaning every day—without question. 

1. Sponges 

We love a good sponge to wipe, absorb, and eliminate spills on all hard surfaces. But with so much time on the job, sponges could use a little TLC of their own. As an essential cleaning tool in your home, we recommend you clean your sponges every day with some water and baking soda to ensure these handy items stay clean and fresh long-term. 

2. Dishes 

Leaving the dishes in the sink overnight is something many people are guilty of doing, but it isn’t something you should make a habit of. Food particles and water are the perfect ingredients for a bacteria smorgasbord. According to the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), kitchen sinks were reported to have the highest concentration of bacteria in an entire home.  

The best way to clean your dishes frequently, safely, and easily is to put them in the dishwasher. After all, we have talked about how magical and essential your dishwasher can be in cleaning items you didn’t even know you could put in there.  

3. Kitchen Counters 

Speaking of items in your kitchen that need daily attention, your kitchen counters are likely the most-used surfaces in your home, and they attract dirt easily. Your kitchen counters see a lot of action, which means they harbor microscopic organisms that could be harmful to your health. Use a disinfected sponge and a tried-and-true germ-killing product to blast away the caked-on food, dirt, and dust for good.   

4. Dining Room Table 

The dining room table sees its fair share of family dinners. Food debris can get left behind and start to grow dangerous bacteria, mold, and a host of other things. Depending on the type of kitchen table you have, you’ll want to start by dusting it off first so you can give it a good cleaning.  

For specific types of dining tables, follow these simple cleaning instructions: 

• Wood – Use warm water and a microfiber cloth to wipe down your dining table after every meal. Make sure to clean off any excess dampness with a clean towel to avoid watermarks and damage.  

• Glass – A disinfected sponge, warm water, and baking powder can work wonders on a glass table. A glass cleaning solution is always a great way to get your table to shine after it’s washed. 

• Metal – You can use a cloth or sponge to wipe a metal table but avoid using the sponge’s abrasive side for caked-on foods, so you don’t cause any damage.  

5. Bathroom Counters 

Like kitchen counters, bathroom counters can harbor thousands of germs and bacteria that could be detrimental to your health. But because fecal matter could be involved, there’s more cause for concern when bathroom counters are left untouched. Some of the most common types of bacteria found on bathroom counters include E. coli, streptococcus, and salmonella. According to a CBSNews report in 2007, a bathroom countertop is made up of 452 bacteria per square inch.  

To thoroughly and naturally sanitize your bathroom counters, mix a cup of hot water and a cup of white vinegar. Place the mixture in a spray bottle and clean until your heart’s content.  

6. Computer Keyboard 

With many Americans working from home full time amid the pandemic, computer keyboards are getting daily workouts. This means they also need to get daily wipe downs. Just imagine the number of germs sitting on your keyboard right now. Researchers at the University of Arizona found that the average desktop keyboard has 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat. That’s a pretty unpleasant picture that you can erase by using isopropyl alcohol or an electronic-safe cleaning product to give your keyboard a good scrub.  

7. Keys 

Surprisingly, car and house keys are not as dirty or germ laden as a toilet seat (like some items on this list). One reason could be because they’re likely handled solely by you or your spouse. Another theory is that keys are made of certain metals that don’t lend themselves to bacteria build-up. And while they don’t harbor as much bacteria as other household items, they are riddled with germs you want attacking your immune system.  

Safely clean your car and house keys using warm water, a drop of dish soap, and an old toothbrush to get in all the nooks and crannies. For a quicker alternative, throw them in the dishwasher and use the “sanitize” setting for thorough disinfection.  

8. Remote controls 

Oh, the remote control. You can’t live without it or keep from losing it. But we can make a point to disinfect this handy item daily. In 2012, the American Society for Microbiology performed a study of hotel room remote controls, finding that they were the most germ-infested item in hotel rooms.  

Fortunately, rubbing alcohol can sanitize your remote quickly and easily. Pour a bit on a paper towel and wipe every inch of the remote to ensure it is thoroughly disinfected.  

9. Phone Screen 

Think of how much face time (pun intended) your phone screen gets daily. Americans are prone to touching their phones at least 47 times per day, which gives bacteria ample time to latch on and set up shop. A study in 2017 found that 17,000 bacterial gene copies were discovered on the cell phones of high schoolers.  

Like cleaning your remote control, mobile devices can be safely disinfected using an alcohol wipe to kill bacteria and keep them from multiplying or spreading.  

10. Toothbrush 

Because most people house their toothbrushes in their bathrooms (and we’ve already gotten into how bacteria-ridden the bathroom countertops are), it shouldn’t be surprising to find that your toothbrush should be cleaned daily. In fact, researchers at the University of Manchester in England found that toothbrushes can be breeding grounds for staphylococci bacteria and E. coli. The NFS reported that toothbrushes contain at least 200,000 bacteria per square inch. All this simply means is that, instead of making your pearly whites whiter, you could be contaminating your body with life-threatening bacteria.  

Your toothbrush can be easily cleaned by pouring 3% hydrogen peroxide into a small cup and letting it soak for about 15 minutes. Letting it sit longer could damage the bristles. Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly with warm water before use.  

When it comes to cleaning household items to keep your family happy and healthy, Merry Maids® experts can help.  

To get a free estimate for virtually any type of cleaning you need, call us at (888) 490-4227.