Most of us wipe down kitchen counters, wash our hands, and give the bathroom a good scrub. But some of the germiest things we touch every day rarely make it onto our cleaning checklist.
From reusable items we carry everywhere to objects that pass through dozens of hands each day, bacteria can quickly build up if they’re never cleaned properly. Here are 10 everyday items that deserve a little more attention.
Cell Phones and Smartwatches
Few items spend as much time in your hands as your phone. It travels from the kitchen to the office, the grocery store, the gym, and sometimes even the bathroom.
Meanwhile, smartwatch bands collect sweat, skin oils, and dirt throughout the day. Wipe both devices regularly with electronics-safe disinfecting products, paying extra attention to phone cases and watchbands that often trap grime.
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Reusable Water Bottles
Your water bottle may only hold water, but the combination of moisture and bacteria from your mouth creates the perfect environment for germs.
Don’t forget about the lid, straw, and drinking spout, where bacteria tend to collect the fastest. Wash your bottle daily with hot, soapy water or place dishwasher-safe bottles in the dishwasher whenever possible.
Credit and Debit Cards
Your credit card passes through checkout counters, restaurants, gas stations, and ATMs without ever getting cleaned.
While contactless payments have reduced handling, cards can still pick up bacteria throughout the day. A quick wipe with a disinfecting wipe or rubbing alcohol every so often helps keep them cleaner.
Yoga Mats
Sweat, bare feet, and gym floors all leave their mark on yoga mats. Whether you exercise at home or in a studio, wiping your mat down after each workout helps prevent bacteria, mildew, and unpleasant odors from building up. Always let it dry completely before rolling it up for storage.
Public Touchscreens
Self-checkout kiosks, airport check-in screens, parking meters, and ATMs are touched by hundreds of people every day.
You can’t disinfect every public screen you use, but you can protect yourself by using hand sanitizer afterward and avoiding touching your face until you’ve washed your hands.
Contact Lens Cases
Many people clean their contact lenses but overlook the case they put them back in each night.
A dirty case can introduce bacteria directly to your eyes, increasing the risk of irritation or infection. Empty the old solution daily, rinse the case with fresh contact lens solution, not tap water, and replace the case every few months.
Makeup Brushes and Beauty Sponges
Makeup tools collect oil, dead skin cells, makeup residue, and bacteria every time they’re used.
Dirty brushes can contribute to clogged pores and skin irritation, so wash them regularly with a gentle brush cleanser or mild soap and allow them to dry thoroughly before using them again.
Cutting Boards
Every knife cut creates tiny grooves where bacteria can hide, especially after preparing raw meat or poultry.
Wash cutting boards with hot, soapy water after each use, sanitize them regularly, and consider using separate boards for raw meat and fresh fruits or vegetables to reduce cross-contamination.
Reusable Shopping Bags
Reusable grocery bags help reduce waste, but they can also collect bacteria from leaking meat packages, fresh produce, and shopping cart surfaces. If they’re tossed in the trunk after every trip, germs have plenty of time to multiply.
Most cloth shopping bags can be washed in the washing machine, while insulated bags can be cleaned with hot, soapy water and allowed to air dry completely before the next shopping trip.
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TV Remote Controls
Everyone in the house touches the remote, yet it rarely gets cleaned. Food residue, skin oils, and germs collect between the buttons over time. Wipe the entire remote with a disinfecting wipe or electronics-safe cleaner every week, especially during cold and flu season.
