Spring cleaning tips

The sun is shining, flowers blooming, and the grass is getting greener. It’s the time of year to open windows and let fresh air in. Your air-tight home probably has accumulated dust mites, needs a good scrubbing, and is ready for some organization!

With so many tasks to cross off the list, here are a few top priorities to hit in your home while doing spring cleaning!

Kitchen countertops

Your kitchen counters may harbor more than 488 bacteria per square inch. And your sponges are the most contaminated object in the kitchen, containing billions of bacteria, which can cause food poisoning. The solution is easy, though: deep clean the counters often and change the sponges every few weeks.

Entertainment room

In this room, aim for the TV remote control as a starting place. Did you know that about 50 percent of TV remote controls test positive for rhinovirus? It’s true! They are hard to clean because of the cracks. The best solution is to buy a wipeable plastic sleeve and clean daily.

Family room

Some studies estimate hundreds of thousands of species of bacteria live in your carpet, making it 4,000 times dirtier than your toilet seat. Yuck! Bacteria like E. coli, salmonella, and staphylococcus are common in many homes. Your spring cleanup should include a seasonal deep cleaning with a machine wash of your area rugs, too.

Bathroom

Your bathtub drain can contain more than 19,468 bacteria per square inch, putting it in the top five dirtiest areas in your home. Your shower curtain liner may also be harboring a large number of bacteria also. For a squeaky clean solution use bleach based cleansers, and change the shower curtain liner often.

Kids’ playroom

Kids touch everything. Chances are, they are spreading germs throughout the very room that is designed for them, their playroom. Keep kids safe from germs by using disinfectant wipes to clean clocks, toy chests, light switches, desk surfaces, toys, and other high-touch surfaces. This will kill germs on contact.

Office

To help keep your desk area germ-free, clean your keyboard once a week. Hold it upside down and gently shake it to dislodge any crumbs that have built up. Finally, wipe your keyboard and mouse with an antibacterial wipe to kill bacteria.

Bedroom

Sheets are covered in our own filth. Studies indicate that even freshly washed sheets can contain over millions of microbes from dust mites, dead skin, bodily oils, and more. You probably haven’t been washing your sheets enough, and now is a good time to start! You want to wash your sheets once a week in hot water, and change them seasonally.

Start with the most-used areas of the house and those most likely to be harboring bacteria! If you are looking for a homemade solution, the FDA recommends mixing one teaspoon of chlorine bleach into one quart of water to help keep surfaces clean.

What’s first on your spring cleaning list? Share any tips in the comments below.