What do you think the dirtiest thing in your home is? Most people guess that it’s the garbage can, toilet, or even a broom.
But the answers to this question might surprise you. While these items are undoubtedly dirty, they aren’t the only filthy things in our home. Oftentimes, dirt is hiding in peculiar and unexpected places. Get ready to get a little grossed out! Here are some of the dirtiest things in your home (and tips to keep them cleaner).
Shower curtain
Unfortunately, it’s true—the place we go to get clean is actually harbouring some severe dirt. Because shower curtains are constantly wet and spend most of their time in relatively humid areas, they can become hot zones for mold and mildew. Just like you have to wash your towels, you have to wash your shower curtains. Most are safe to wash in the machine, but check the label first.
Knobs, handles, and switches
These places get touched every day by everyone in your household. It’s no wonder that they can get pretty dirty. They often have bacteria lurking on them, particularly because people tend to touch them before washing their hands. Be sure to wipe these down with a disinfectant as often as you can remember (something most of us got pretty good at doing during the pandemic).
Kitchen sponges
This one makes sense, but people often forget about it. Every day, your kitchen sponge comes into contact with all kinds of foods and germs. Dirty sponges are particularly dangerous because they can harbour salmonella and E. coli. Make sure you disinfect your sponge regularly by running it through the dishwasher. Replace your sponge if it comes into contact with something you suspect could be harmful or if it doesn’t smell clean after washing—and make sure you swap it out for a new one every few weeks.
Vents
Vents are connected to the ductwork that circulates all the air in our home. Because of this, they have filters to protect them from dust and debris. However, vents themselves can still attract a considerable amount of grime. Check your vents regularly to remove dust and dirt that’s accumulated on them so that it doesn’t negatively impact your indoor air quality.
Carpets
Even if you vacuum your carpets regularly, they can still hide allergens, dirt, bacteria and other grime. This is especially true if your carpet has a tight weave. You should get your carpets professionally cleaned every now and then, or if you’re susceptible to allergies, consider investing in your own equipment. You can keep your carpets cleaner by leaving your shoes at the front door.
Grout
Food, drinks, and bath products can all spill and accumulate in the grout between your kitchen and bathroom tiles. If you look closely, you’ll probably notice plenty of buildup. Unfortunately, this is often a common hiding place for mold as well. Even though cleaning your grout is time-consuming, it’s important to incorporate it into your regular cleaning routine. Use a soft bristled brush to give it a good scrub.
Walls
Dust settles onto walls and baseboards the way it would on any other surface in your home. Plus, dust can settle behind paintings and furniture, and pretty much anything else touching the wall. Dirty walls can cause paint to discolour and can also contribute to poor air quality. It’s vital to wash your walls every now and then with a damp cloth.
Ducts
All of this dirt that’s hiding in unexpected places in your home also gets circulated in your air. This means that dust, dirt, bacteria, food particles, and mold spores can eventually find their way into your duct system. There, dirt accumulates and recirculates, leading to poor indoor air quality. The result is sniffing, allergies, and even difficulty breathing inside of your home.
Dirty ducts can also diminish your heating and cooling system’s efficiency. Blockages of dust and debris cause your HVAC system to work harder to distribute air in your home, meaning you’ll end up with higher energy expenses and a less evenly heated or cooled space. If your ducts become too dirty, you even run the risk of serious damage to your furnace. Be sure to have your ducts cleaned regularly so that all the dust, dirt, and allergens you work so hard to keep out of your home aren’t just being continually recycled through the heating and air conditioning systems.
Who knew your home was so full of secretly dirty areas? If you want to keep your home safe and germ-free, you’ll want to pay special attention to where dirt accumulates and how to clean it effectively. Having your ducts professionally cleaned is an excellent step to stop dust and pollutants from continually circulating in your indoor air and affecting how clean your home stays.
If you live in the Winnipeg area, trust Whyte Ridge Furnace & Air Duct Cleaning for professional and reliable services. Contact us for a consultation today, and look forward to a cleaner tomorrow.