HGTV – Our homes are filled with items that have the potential to harbor bacteria. We’ve highlighted some of the most common offenders so that you can replace or clean them on a regular basis.
Razors
Keep your razor in the shower? Big mistake. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, you should dry out your razor completely from shave to shave to prevent bacteria from growing on it. Even when stored in a dry area, razors don’t have a long shelf life. The AAD recommends throwing away disposable razors after five to seven shaves.
Hand Towels
The same goes for hand towels, dish towels and washcloths. These items should be washed frequently with hot water. If your towels are white, you can add a cap full of bleach to the wash, too.
Toothbrush
Compared to other household items, the toothbrush isn’t that germy — it didn’t make the NSF top 30 list. However, the toothbrush holder did in a major way. (See the next slide for the reason.) Still, it’s important to replace toothbrushes frequently (every three to four months, according to the American Dental Association) and immediately if someone in your home has a virus.
Pet Bed
You wash your bed sheets frequently, but how often do you wash your pet’s bed? Dogs can track in small amounts of fecal matter from outside, so if you’re not washing your pet bed, it may be time to toss and replace. Look for a machine-washable bed, or one with a removable cover.
Toilet Brush
It’s important to thoroughly clean your toilet brush after each use before placing it back in the toilet brush holder. Otherwise, the same situation that happens with a kitchen sponge and sponge holder or a toothbrush and toothbrush holder can occur.
And if anyone in your home gets a stomach bug or virus, toss the toilet brush after using and replace with a new brush …
