With a virus going around, you never know who might have touched your groceries before you put them in your cart and bought them. Wipe or wash whatever boxes, cans or containers they came in as well as any surfaces that came into contact with your grocery bags. This could be one of the things you’re doing all wrong with your groceries. 

If possible, do not shake your dirty laundry. This can release germs and viruses that can then spread through the air. This is advice you should definitely heed if you’re handling the laundry of someone who is or recently was sick. 

Cleaning products contain ingredients that can irritate your skin, so it’s important to wear gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Disposable gloves should be thrown out after use and not reused. If you wear reusable gloves, they should be used for cleaning and disinfection of surfaces only and nothing else.

Even though you were using gloves, you used your hands to take them off, touching all the gunk and germs you just cleaned. Make sure to wash your hands after disposing of or putting away your gloves.

To make the cleaning process go faster, perhaps you just throw everything in a closet or box, but this isn’t a good idea. Piles of clutter provide places for insects and rodents to nest and can also create a safety hazard.

Instead of using pesticides to keep insects out of your home, there are many other options you can turn to that can solve your pest problem. You can seal openings to the outside and between rooms, make sure to put away any food and cover up garbage. Also, deny them water by fixing leaks and wiping up any spills.

Nobody wants mold anywhere near their house, and it’s important to get rid of it the right way to keep it away and prevent further damage or health issues. For hard surfaces, first spray the mold with a bleach and water mixture. Wait a few minutes and then rinse or wipe clean. Another method recommended by the EPA is scrubbing moldy areas with a detergent and water mixture.

Mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaners is dangerous because it can form harmful compounds. Exposure can lead to irritation to the nose, eyes and throat as well as nausea.

All surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned before disinfection. This makes sure that germs and bacteria are not hidden from the disinfectant underneath a layer of dirt, residue or grime.

In most family homes, people spend a lot of time on the couch, and over time it can collect food, sweat, pet hair and many other things. Try to vacuum your couch every other week and pick up bigger pieces of trash or debris as you are vacuuming. Check the tag on your couch’s cushions to see whether or not spills or stains can be cleaned with water or a solvent-based cleaner.

Even if you use a pillowcase, dirt, sweat and dead skin build-up on your pillows. That is not good to have on your face every time you go to sleep. Many types of pillows can be cleaned in the washing machine. Your pillows should generally be washed twice a year. This is one way you can make your bedroom better for sleep.

Most people clean their beds by washing the sheets and pillow covers and forget to clean the mattress. Dust mites, sweat, dirt and more can be in your mattress. After stripping off the sheets, vacuum and then use baking soda to remove stains and odors or spot treat using cleaning supplies. A refreshed mattress will help ensure a good night’s sleep.

People often forget to clean the machine that’s cleaning your clothes. But it can’t clean itself. Run it on an “extra rinse” or a “clean-out” cycle and add bleach to clean and sanitize the inside of your washing machine.

Silicon in fabric softeners and dryer sheets can coat towels and actually make them water repellant, destroying their absorbency. Instead of using fabric softener when drying towels, many people swear by the household hack of using white distilled vinegar to make their towels soft instead.

People are always moving from room to room throughout the day. Thus, doorknobs are something that everyone in the house will put their hands on. Use a disinfectant wipe to wipe down doorknobs as well as the handles to refrigerators, drawers and more.

Baseboards collect dust like everything else but are sometimes forgotten when you're mopping or vacuuming. Using a brush attachment for your vacuum along the baseboard will pick up dust. You can then clean it more thoroughly with a dishwashing solution and warm water.

Some people let their pets jump on everything and in every room in the house, which is great if you love dogs or cats. But pet hair tends to get everywhere as a result and can be difficult to clean up. One way to pick up pet hair off furniture is with a lint brush or a pet hair removal glove or mitt.

Most people make sure anything that will have food on it is cleaned and sanitized, and the microwave should be no different. If you heat a bowl of water and white vinegar in the microwave, it will steam-clean the inside, loosening any buildup and making it easier to wipe down.  This will make sure your leftovers or frozen foods are protected from germs and bacteria before they go in the microwave.

Just like any surface that a lot of people use their hands to touch, light switches accumulate germs and bacteria. Try to wipe them down as often as you can with your favorite natural cleaning product.

Letting your countertops air dry can leave residue behind. Instead of using a paper towel, use a soft, dry cloth to soak up the moisture from wiping it down. This will make your countertops as clean as possible when you serve your favorite quick and easy dinner.

Using abrasive products that have ammonia or chlorine can cause stainless steel surfaces to turn purple or rust. Instead, use a stainless steel wipe or spray cleaner that’s oil-based.

If you’re cleaning every other part of the shower, don’t forget the shower curtain. It can attract mold, mildew and soap scum. A household hack you might not know is that many shower curtains are machine washable. You can throw it in the washing machine with detergent, vinegar and baking soda.

Similar to your shower curtain, the showerhead oftentimes gets forgotten when cleaning the bathroom. Minerals can build up in the showerhead, making it less effective. You can clean your showerhead with vinegar and a plastic bag. Put the vinegar in the bag and secure it over your shower head. This soak will help remove mineral deposits.

Children can be dirty, and their toys tend to get covered in food and germs. They need to be cleaned, and if you have any hard plastic toys, you can easily throw them in the dishwasher. Toys are actually one of the dirtiest places in your home.

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