Which room is the dirtiest and harbors the most bacteria in your house? Surprisingly it’s not the bathroom, but the kitchen and other high-touch areas, according to a study by the National Sanitation Foundation International (NSF).¹ Let’s look at your home room by room and shed some light on hidden dirt and bacteria and how to get rid of them.

• 01of 05Kitchen The Spruce / Ana CadenaThe kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in most homes and also the dirtiest. All of the elements that encourage bacteria to grow—heat, moisture, and food—are readily available. Add to that all of the outside elements like raw meats, unwashed fruits and vegetables, and the germs from everyone’s purses and backpacks, and the kitchen is teeming with harmful bacteria like E. coli.The key areas of concern in the kitchen are:
  • Sinks
  • Countertops
  • Cabinet pulls
  • Refrigerators
  • Small appliances and kitchen tools
  How to Clean It:
  • Keep disinfecting wipes handy to wipe sinks and countertops down after each use.
  • Wash cutting boards in hot soapy water after each use, rinse well, and dry with a hand towel.
  • Clean small appliances and kitchen tools after each use, such as a blender or measuring cups, in hot soapy water, rinse well in hot water and dry thoroughly.
• 02of 05Bathroom​The Spruce / Ana Cadena As you might expect, bathrooms are prime areas for bacteria growth on almost every surface. Unfortunately, that bacteria lingers in most bathroom areas after every use.How to Clean It:
  • Keep disposable disinfecting wipes handy for daily cleaning and pay particular attention to light switches, door knobs, and faucet handles to keep all types of coliform bacteria (a family of bacteria that includes Salmonella and E. coli) under control.
  • Wash bath towels and mats in hot water at least weekly and allow them to dry completely.
  • Change out hand towels several times per week.
  • Wipe down bathroom sinks daily with disinfecting wipes.
  • Clean toothbrush holders and cups weekly. 
  • Wipe down flat surfaces like walls near toilets with disinfectant products whenever you clean your bathroom.
• 03of 05Living Areas​The Spruce / Ana Cadena Living rooms and family rooms where people gather are prime spots for germs. Upholstery is a breeding ground for long-living bacteria and allergens because the fabric is exposed to sneezes, unwashed hands, pet dander and hair, and soil from feet and shoes.How to Clean It:
  • Clean living spaces daily and disinfect them, as well, especially when someone in the house is ill with a cold or virus.²
  • Wipe down remote controls, game controllers, keyboards, tablets, earbuds, and headphones daily with a disinfectant wipe safe that’s safe to use on electronics.
  • Use wipes to eliminate germs from switches on lamps, switch plates, and doorknobs.
  • Clean and vacuum upholstered furniture weekly. Use a hand-held vacuum or the upholstery attachment of a larger vacuum. Clean underneath and between cushions where food and pet hair linger. Then freshen with a disinfecting spray.
  TipWhen someone in your home has a virus or skin rash, cover upholstered surfaces with sheets or washable covers that can be changed and washed frequently to disinfect.
• 04of 05Bedroom​The Spruce / Ana Cadena Your beautiful and restful oasis can harbor fungus, bacteria, and thousands of dust mites, and most lurk in your bed. If the sheets, blankets, quilts, and bedspreads are not washed often, they can harbor dirt that can cause:
  • Skin irritation, eczema, and acne breakouts
  • Fungal and bacterial infections like athlete’s foot and MRSA (staph bacteria)
  • Allergies and breathing issues
  How to Clean It:
  • Change bed linens weekly and wash them properly to prevent bacteria. Research shows that after one week, bed sheets harbor exponentially more bacteria than a bathroom door knob.³
  • Encase pillows, mattresses, and box springs in removable, washable, allergy-proof covers to prevent an infestation from dust mites that feed on the skin cells that we shed.
  • Store freshly washed sheets when they are completely dried. Clean sheets may smell stale or musty because you may have put them in the linen closet when they were slightly damp, which created a breeding ground for mildew and other smelly bacteria.
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• 05of 05The Dirty Places You Overlook​The Spruce / Ana Cadena Some items may be found in any room but their usefulness makes them particularly likely to harbor germs and bacteria. Let’s take a look at the dirtiest items you’ve overlooked in your home but need to be cleaned immediately:
  • Pet Toys and Bowls
    Clean hard and soft toys weekly with hot soapy water. Wash food and water bowls daily in the dishwasher or by hand with hot soapy water.
  • Keys, Purses, and Wallets
    Key fobs, wallets, and cell phones are constantly touched and sit in fabric or leather handbags accumulating germs. Purses are germiest from sitting on dirty floors, then they end up on tables and countertops at home.
  • Backpacks and Gym Bags
    A backpack or gym bag is heavily touched and stuffed with germ-carrying items so they need cleaning and disinfecting after each use or at least weekly.

FAQ

• What is the dirtiest, germiest room in a house?The kitchen is the dirtiest, germiest room in a house, most specifically, the kitchen sponge or rag.⁴
• What is the cleanest part of a house?You may be surprised to hear that the cleanest part of a house is probably your toilet seat! It doesn’t even make the top 10 list of the germiest places in your house, according to the NSF.⁴
• Which places are the dirtiest parts of a house but are missed while cleaning?We often miss cleaning light switches, door handles, trash cans, and small items like houseplants (from pots to leaves) and toss pillows, which all accumulate dust, dirt, and germs.