Seven Everyday Objects You May Be Forgetting To Clean !

While you may be routinely cleaning the basics around your house, there are many objects that can slip through the cracks. From the coffee machine to your cutlery tray, how regularly do you clean these dust-prone places?

It's easy to spot the obvious dirty areas in your home like spilled food on the dining table, dirty carpets and smudges on the window, but what about the places that may not look particularly dirty but are the most germ-ridden of all?

Take a look at the everyday objects you may be forgetting to clean...

1. Chopping boards
Cleaning a chopping board by hand is easy enough, but when did you last give yours a thorough clean? To remove excess dirt and grime, mix one tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda, one tablespoon of salt and a little water to form a paste. Then, give your chopping board a good scrub and rinse with hot soapy water. It will look as good as new.

Joyce French, cleaning expert at HomeHow.co.uk explains what to look for when buying a new chopping board: 'Studies show that chopping boards hold 200 times more bacteria than a toilet seat, and can contain moulds and yeasts. When choosing a chopping board, opt for nonporous materials as they are much more hygienic. If you prefer wooden chopping boards, make sure it's hardwood.'

2. Stove knobs
As we prepare food on a stove, grease can splatter on the knobs, collecting dust, crumbs and hair. While often forgotten, it's important you give these a regular clean, too. If your knobs are removable, pull them off and let them soak in warm soapy water for a few minutes. Depending on when you last cleaned them, you may need a stronger degreasing agent. Afterwards, wipe down the stove and then place them back securely. Doing this regularly will help keep stubborn stains at bay.

3. Cutlery tray
Our cutlery trays can harbour dust, dirt and crumbs from the kitchen. Despite holding clean silverware, you never know what can slip through the cracks when you're not looking. Although the cutlery drawer is constantly in use, many households do not clean the drawer or tray inside regularly. To clean, remove all the cutlery and wash as normal in the dishwasher. Remove the cutlery tray and wash this down with hot soapy water and wipe down the interior of the drawer too. Don't forget to clean the handles of your drawer as well. Ensure everything is dry before placing the cutlery back in the tray.

4. Toothbrush holder
When did you last clean your toothbrush holder? Giving yours a regular clean will soften any stuck-on residue, such as dried toothpaste. Rinse yours in hot water to loosen any gunk, then add in a few drops of tea tree oil and vinegar. Make sure it's completely dry before placing your toothbrush back inside.

5. Pet toys
In addition to getting dirty, soft pet toys can collect dust mites and germs. Getting into the habit of routinely cleaning toys will not only keep your pets safe, but will leave your home smelling fresh, too. Built up bacteria can pose a real risk to your pet, and potentially lead to infection or animal acne. It's much better to clean toys instead of bin them. Use a natural, sanitising agent like vinegar, so that your pet is not harmed by chemicals in commercial detergents. To clean yours properly, soak the toy in one part vinegar to four parts water and then gently scrub with a clean sponge. Make sure it's completely dry before returning it to your pup to play with.

6. Coffee machine
There's nothing better than a morning coffee, but how often should we be cleaning the coffee machine? An important process that is necessary if you want to increase the longevity of your machine, you can easily descale yours using a vinegar solution. You'll have a delicious brew in no time...

Jan Spencer from Coffee Direct adds: 'To prevent pungent water smells and bacteria build up, simply descale your tank as part of your monthly coffee maintenance. If you don't, the limescale can begin clogging up your coffee machine and affecting the hot water functions, resulting in foul smelling water. If the water tastes off, your machine may have calcium-deposit disease, in which case it is essential to replace your coffee maker.'

7. Kitchen sponges
Sponges are great cleaning tools, but their pores can hold tiny bacteria, mould, and germs. With a previous study by HomeHow.co.uk uncovering that kitchen sponges hold more germs than your toilet, now is the perfect time to learn how to clean them like a pro. Whilst you should toss your old kitchen sponges every two weeks, you can clean them in-between too. Simply saturate the sponge in water and heat on high in the microwave for one minute. The microwave method has proved effective for eradicating 99.9 per cent of germs.

Words above and more from article here

Related posts

Natural Cleaners To Use Around The Home - read it here

This just may be the new keep fit! - read it here

Dear reader, this blog is presented in a magazine style - we hope something for everyone. You will find a variety of articles, studies, thoughts, photographs, music and recipes!

Please note, not all recipe suggestions may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan