Remote controls
Remote controls get passed between family members, dropped on the couch, and used right after meals, all without a wash in between.
- Wipe weekly with a lightly dampened cloth.
- Turn it over and clean between the buttons with a cotton bud.
- Remove batteries first if using anything liquid based.
Light switches and door handles
These surfaces get touched dozens of times a day by everyone in the house.
- Wipe down with a disinfectant spray or wipe once a week.
- Pay attention to switches near the bathroom and kitchen, where hands are often wet or food covered.
- Include external door handles, which pick up whatever was touched outside.
Phone screens
A phone travels everywhere, including the bathroom, the gym, and the kitchen bench, and it rarely gets put down long enough for a proper clean.
- Use a microfibre cloth with a small amount of water or a screen safe cleaner.
- Avoid spraying liquid directly onto the phone.
- Clean the case separately, since it holds onto grime the screen doesn’t.
Keyboards and computer mice
Crumbs, dust, and skin oils build up between the keys over weeks of typing, and a keyboard is rarely picked up and shaken out.
- Turn the keyboard upside down and gently tap out loose debris.
- Use compressed air to clear the gaps between keys.
- Wipe the surface and the mouse with a disinfectant wipe.
Chopping boards
A chopping board comes into contact with raw meat, vegetables, and everything in between.
- Use separate boards for raw meat.
- Wash in warm, soapy water and rinse well after every use.
- Let boards dry completely before putting them away.
Reusable water bottles
A water bottle gets refilled and sipped from throughout the day, but it’s easy to assume plain water means nothing to clean.
- Wash daily with warm, soapy water, including the inside of the lid and any straw.
- Give the bottle a deeper clean each week, using a bottle brush to reach the base.
- Let it air dry fully with the lid off, rather than sealing it while still damp.
Pet bowls and toys
Pet bowls sit out with leftover food and water for hours at a time, and toys pick up saliva, dirt, and whatever else has been chewed on outside.
- Wash food and water bowls daily with hot soapy water.
- Rotate toys through a wash or wipe down weekly.
- Check bedding for the same treatment on a regular basis.
