Dirtiest Places in Home

It's easy to see the obvious dirty spots in a home like spilled food on kitchen counters, soap scum in the shower, or a pile of dirty laundry. But what about the spots that may not look particularly dirty but are actually the ones that can affect the health of your family? Let's take a look at your home room by room and shed some light on hidden dirt and bacteria and how to get rid of it. 1. Kitchen

Did you know that the dirtiest part of home is not your bathroom, it's kitchen! All of the elements that encourage bacteria to grow - heat, moisture, and food-are readily available. Additional to that are raw meats, unwashed fruits and vegetables, and the germs from everyone's purses and backpacks.

Common bacteria that we can found on the kitchen are E.Coli, (are bacteria found in environment, food, and intestines of people and animals), and Salmonella, (bacteria that can cause diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps).

The keys areas of concern in the kitchen are: Sinks Countertops Cabinet Pulls Refrigerators Small Appliances and Kitchen Tools 2. Bathroom

When cleaning bathroom, you should pay attention to light switches, door knobs and faucet handles. Keep some disposable disinfecting wipes handy for easy daily cleaning. Bath towels and mats should be washed in hot water at least weekly and allowed to dry completely. Hand towels should be changed several times per week. Bathroom sinks should be wiped down daily with disinfecting wipes and toothbrush holders and cups should be cleaned weekly. When cleaning the obviously dirty areas of the bathtub, shower doors, and toilet, take time to wipe down flat surfaces like walls near toilets with disinfectant products. 3. Living Area

Living room is where family stays the most. And a lot of bacteria hides on different things on our living room. Did you know that remote control is a top carrier of bacteria. According to studies, there are more germs also on your phone and keyboard than on a toilet seat. So imagine how dirty is our hands? So make sure that all of those keypads and controllers should be wiped down daily with a disinfectant wipe that is safe for use on electronics.

Don't forget to clean other high-touch items such as switches on lamps, switch plates, and doorknobs.

Another breeding ground for bacteria and allergens is upholstery on furniture. The fabric is exposed to sneezes, unwashed hands, pet hair, and soil from feet and shoes. Many types of bacteria can live for several days on these surfaces. At least weekly, upholstered surfaces should be vacuumed with a hand-held vacuum or the upholstery attachment of a larger machine. Be sure to clean underneath and between cushions where food and pet hair can linger. Then freshen and clean with a scented or unscented disinfecting spray. 4. Bedroom

Bedroom is the area where we rest and/or sleep. But if this area is not clean or the sheets, blankets are not washed often, they can harbor dirt that can cause:

1. Skin irritation, eczema, and acne breakouts

2. Fungal and bacterial infections like athlete's foot and MRSA

3. Allergies and breathing issues

To prevent all of this, bed linens should be changed at least weekly and washed properly. Studies have been shown that after one week, bed sheets harbor more bacteria than a bathroom door knob. If you've ever pulled "clean sheets" from the linen closet and they smell stale, that's because there is body oil and soil still in the fabric fibers. Pillows, mattresses, and box springs should be encased in removable, washable, allergy-proof covers to prevent infestation from dust mites that feed on the skin cells that we shed. 5. The Dirty Places You Overlook

Let's take a look at the dirtiest items you've overlooked in your home but need to be cleaned immediately: Pet Toys and Feeding Bowls They should be washed daily in the dishwasher or by hand with hot soapy water, rinsed well and air dried to prevent harmful bacteria growth. Pet toys can harbor coliform bacteria, yeast and mold. Hard toys should be cleaned with hot soapy water (at least weekly) and soft toys can be hand or machine washed using hot water and a disinfectant.

Keys, Purses, and Wallets The items you handle every day pick up the germs and bacteria you're exposed to every day as well. Take time to clean your key fobs, purses and wallets. Purses are usually the most germy. They land on the floor and then end up on counters and tabletops in your home. Keep fabric and leather handbags off the ground and clean them regularly–including the interior! Backpacks and Gym Bags Backpacks are a necessity for preschoolers to adults. Whether you carry camping equipment, work out clothes or books, eventually the backpack or your gym bag is going to need to be cleaned and disinfected.

Need help in cleaning? We have trained people that can clean your home! ServiceMaster Philippines is a top leading provider in cleaning, disinfection, and sanitation. Want to get free survey? Kindly contact us at:

8842 7163 or 8850 1645 local 1011 or

email us at: sales@servicemasterph.com