Experts reveal the dirtiest things in the home – and how to clean them

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “It doesn’t all need to be done in one go, but toilets and kitchens certainly need to be cleaned weekly to keep them hygienic – and stop germs spreading in the obvious places as well as the more unusual ones.” open image in gallery Adult woman with face mask and working rubber gloves cleaning and sanitizing home bathroom using disinfectant bleach To put you on the front foot, these are the dirtiest items which need cleaning more than you think… Tap handles Regularly washing our hands became second nature during the pandemic, but tap handles are a key place where germs linger. “You don’t need to use harsh chemicals to stop germs spreading,” says Harnett. “Your remote control is one of these.” She says cleaning and disinfecting are easy: “Use disinfectant wipes on the surface of the remote control at least once a week.” Toothbrush holder “Toothbrush holders, often hard to clean, are usually placed near toilets, making them highly susceptible to bacteria due to the spray of faecal debris when the toilet is flushed,” highlights Zara O’Hare, home expert from Land of Rugs. “You can use a cotton bud dipped in the rubbing vinegar to get in between the keys themselves and make sure it’s disinfected.” Kitchen sponges “Sponges are big germ culprits because their holes let bacteria thrive, forming tough blobs that are hard to remove,” notes O’Hare.