10 Places You’re Forgetting to Clean That Are Covered in Bacteria

You probably wipe down your counters and mop your floors without thinking twice. But there are other places in your home that collect bacteria like crazy—and they rarely make it onto the cleaning list. The worst part? A lot of them are things you touch every single day. If your house still feels “grimy” after a clean, this is likely why.

Light Switches

Light switches get touched constantly, especially in high-traffic areas like the kitchen or bathroom. You don’t notice the grime building up until you’re up close, and by then, they’re already coated in bacteria and fingerprints.

A quick wipe with a disinfecting cloth or a spritz of rubbing alcohol on a microfiber cloth takes care of it. Go through each room and hit the switches—it only takes a second, and it makes a big difference in overall cleanliness.

Remote Controls

Everyone touches the remote, but it rarely gets cleaned—especially if snacks or sticky fingers are involved. It’s one of the dirtiest things in most homes, and the crevices are perfect for trapping germs.

To clean it safely, remove the batteries first. Use a disinfecting wipe or a cloth dampened with alcohol, then use a cotton swab to get around the buttons. Make it part of your weekly routine and you’ll avoid the invisible buildup.

Door Handles

You may clean bathroom handles now and then, but when’s the last time you hit the front door knob or the handle to the pantry? These spots are high-touch and easy to forget.

Use a disinfecting spray or wipe, and don’t skip the back door or the garage entry. If someone in your house is sick, hit these daily. Otherwise, a weekly wipe-down is a good baseline.

Fridge Handles

The fridge is one of the most-used spots in the house, especially if you have kids. And those handles? They see everything from raw meat residue to greasy fingers to peanut butter smears.

Wipe them down with a disinfectant and rinse with a damp cloth if needed. While you’re at it, hit the handles on the microwave and dishwasher too—anything you grab with messy hands.

Toothbrush Holders

You might rinse your toothbrush, but the holder it sits in can get gross fast. Water drips down into the bottom, creating a warm, damp environment that’s perfect for bacteria and mold.

Rinse it out weekly, and run it through the dishwasher if it’s dishwasher-safe. If not, soak it in a bleach solution or vinegar and scrub it out thoroughly. It’s small, but it matters.

Phone Screens

Your phone goes everywhere with you—even the bathroom—and you hold it against your face. But cleaning it? That’s usually an afterthought. Oils, makeup, and bacteria collect fast.

Use a microfiber cloth and a mix of water and rubbing alcohol to wipe it down. Don’t spray directly onto the phone—spray the cloth instead. Make it a habit before bed or after errands.

Kitchen Sink Faucet

You probably clean the sink basin, but the faucet handle sees a lot of action—and it doesn’t always get the same attention. Between raw meat juices and soapy hands, it’s a hotspot for bacteria.

Use a disinfecting spray or wipe, and make sure you get around the base and under the handle. If you’ve got a pull-out sprayer, check for buildup around the nozzle too.

Laundry Hamper

Dirty clothes mean bacteria—and that bacteria transfers to the inside and outside of your laundry hamper. If it’s plastic or metal, it’s easy to wipe down. But fabric ones need more attention.

Wash the liner or the whole hamper if you can. If it’s not washable, spray it with a disinfectant and let it air dry. You’ll notice a difference, especially in rooms like the bathroom or kids’ rooms.

Game Controllers

Like remotes, game controllers are high-touch items that rarely get cleaned. And they usually get handled with snacky, sweaty, or sticky hands—especially by kids.

Unplug or power them off before cleaning, and wipe them with alcohol on a cloth. Use a cotton swab to get into crevices. Make this a regular task if you’ve got gamers in the house.

Reusable Grocery Bags

These often get thrown in the car or pantry after use, but they can carry bacteria from raw meat, produce, and even the ground if they’re dropped. And since they’re reusable, they rarely get washed.

Most fabric bags can go in the washer. If they can’t, spray the insides with a disinfectant or wipe them clean. Don’t store them in a hot car—heat makes bacteria multiply faster.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.