Photo Credit: Konstantin Lazorkin on Flickr.com
Washing Machine: This is a surprising culprit. Most wash cycles aren’t hot enough to kill the fecal bacteria that lingers on our undergarments. I know it’s gross but, there’s an easy fix. Just wash your whites in a weak bleach solution first. The hot water and chlorine will kill most of the offending bacteria.
Cell Phone: The constant handling of the phone combined with all the crevices on the case make the phone a prime breeding ground for dangerous bacteria. Be careful about setting your phone down in public places and use a anti-bacterial wipe on the case a few times a week.
Tooth Brush: This is probably the worst thing in your home to be contaminated. Bacteria from your mouth often lingers on the brush, and if you leave it on the counter … fecal bacteria from flushing the toilet can land on the brush head. Keep your toothbrush in the closet and run it through the dish washer every week and you’ll be in the clear.
Vacuum Cleaner: Ironically, one of the best tools at keeping things clean is also prone to harbor bacteria. All the stuff you suck up off the floor just sits in the bag and on the brushes. Use an anti-bacterial bag and change it often. If you have a bagless vacuum, wash the container with a bleach solution from time to time to keep the bacteria at bay.
Soap Dispenser: Even your soap dish isn’t safe from bacteria. The top of the dispenser in constantly being touched by dirty hands, making it a prime breeding ground for fecal bacteria like E.coli. Wash your hands thoroughly after touching the soap dispenser and wipe it down with a disinfecting wipe a few times a week.
Dish Rags: Kitchen rags are notorious for harboring food borne illness. Use the dish rags only for drying already-washed pots and use disposable towels for cleaning the counters.
