The common misconception is that the toilet is the dirtiest part of any bathroom. While this isn’t a totally false statement, other bathroom items aren’t exactly in our good graces when it comes to passing the cleanliness test. Don’t be frightened, though. Santhoff, your Houston plumbing company, is here to tell you who the biggest offenders are and how to clean them properly.
Toilet
Why not start this list off with a bang, shall we? The toilet is gross, but what makes it so gross? When you flush, the toilet basically throws germs into the air and on surrounding fixtures and items. As one could imagine, these germs are gross and can make a person ill. How can you prevent the toilet from being a slingshot for disgusting germs? Get into the habit of flushing your toilet with the seat down. This isn’t just a courtesy to those who *ahem* might fall into the toilet bowl if said seat isn’t completely shut. Getting into this habit will prevent germs from being thrown around the bathroom all willy-nilly. As for the part of the toilet seat that stops germs from flying around, we wouldn’t suggest resting your back up against it for obvious reasons.
Faucet
Now to the part of the bathroom that most people forget about being highly germ infested- the faucet. What does (hopefully) everyone do after going to the bathroom? Wash their hands of course. Think about where your hands just were and what you’re touching next to clean your hands. It’s gross when you think about it, isn’t it? Not to mention that if the toilet seat is up, you can guarantee that toilet germs landed on the faucet. We suggest regularly wiping down this part of the bathroom. It takes all of 5 seconds and you’ll greatly reduce the spread of germs. For public bathrooms, turn the faucet off with a paper towel or your arm. You don’t eat with your arm the way you eat with your hands. Keep that in mind.
Sink
While we’re talking about the faucet, we might as well bring up the sink, too. Why would the sink be so dirty? Well, you wash your dirty hands in the sink. Many people wash their face in the sink. You brush your teeth and spit into the sink. That is A LOT of bacteria collecting near the drain. It makes you want to think twice before putting your toothbrush back into your mouth after accidentally dropping it into the sink, doesn’t it? To get rid of bacteria, regularly SCRUB the area around the drain with a disinfecting cleaner.
Toothbrush Holder
Your toothbrush holder is actually the 3rd dirtiest place in your house. Pretty gross. Because this item sits on the counter, it’s a magnet for germs from other areas of the bathroom. Combine that with the germs from your mouth, and you’ve got a pretty grody situation. Our suggested remedy is to throw your toothbrush holder in the dishwasher (assuming it’s dishwasher safe) once a week. If your toothbrush holder is not dishwasher safe, hot water, soap, and some thorough cleaning will do the trick. Be sure to wipe it does regularly in between washings as well to keep the germs at bay!
Bathtub
All of those germs that are stuck on your body after a long day cling to the bathtub’s walls. Next time you hop in the tub, those germs are still there and you’re soaking in them. Scrub the entire surface with a disinfecting, soap scum-cutting cleanser. Do this at least once a week to prevent build up.
Showerhead
Everyone forgets to regularly clean the showerhead, but it’s another surprising area that builds up bacteria. Over time, dirt and mineral build-up traps germs around the areas that shoot out water. That means that these germs are being sprayed on you while you’re trying to get clean. Kind of counterintuitive, don’t you think? To remedy this, soak your showerhead in vinegar overnight and rinse it with cold water in the morning. This will also help to improve the water pressure. It’s a win-win, really.
Loofa
Just how the germs in the bathtub cling to the walls, the same thing happens to your loofa. Loofas also stay damp majority of the time from use. Anything that stays damp is going to be a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Switch out your loofa every couple of weeks to reduce your exposure to germs to icky bacteria.
Bathmat
Your bathmat is no different from your loofa. It’s another item that is perpetually damp (unless you hang it up after use) and retains bacteria. Fully rubber bathmats can be cleaned in the dishwasher or in the sink with bleach or vinegar mixed with water. All other bathmats need to be washed in the washing machine once a week.
Take note of the items you haven’t cleaned in a while and start on those first. You’ll notice that your bathroom will smell better, which is another great perk. Keep a note of the last time you cleaned these items so you can stay on track with your schedule. Remember- if you need expert advice, Santhoff Houston plumbing company is here for you!