Here’s something gross to think about that will potentially ruin your mood: the things you use and touch every single day, probably multiple times an hour in some cases, are disgusting. They’re crawling with germs, bacteria, and icky things that can make you sick, and you probably don’t even realize it, which means you aren’t cleaning them… or, at least, you aren’t cleaning them enough.
Now, of course, our bodies have ways of fighting off these kinds of things, which is at least a little comforting. But still – once you realize that something you put against your face for hours on end is actually full of gross stuff, it makes you feel squeamish. I am something of a germaphobe, and every time I remember how disgusting everything around me really is, I go into full-on Cinderella cleaning mode, which consumes my every thought until I feel things are in better condition. So, writing this post wasn’t exactly easy for me, but hey… I’m doing it for the people. Here are a few things you use every single day that are much dirtier than you think. This doesn’t mean you need to freak out and start walking around with gloves on, but it does mean you should start putting aside time on a weekly basis to make things a little more fresh. You’ll thank yourself after!
Reusable Water Bottles
It doesn't seem like a reusable water bottle could get too dirty too often, since it just holds... water. But it can! Water bottles can collect bacteria and germs from your mouth and hands. After a very long time of not being cleaned, it can even get a little moldy. Stay on the safe side by rinsing it out every day after using it instead of letting the water sit, and clean it with warm, soapy water once a week. Source: iStockYour Bra
Bras, like any other item of clothing, need to be washed regularly. It's just that, for some reason, we never think of them that way. We don't think twice about washing our underwear after every use, but bras? Most women go weeks or even months without letting them see the inside of a washing machine. Bras collect sweat, dirt, and germs like anything else, and you should be washing them every three to four wears. Source: iStockTowels
Since most of us do not have an unlimited supply of towels and we hate doing laundry, it's fairly normal to use a bath towel a few times before washing it. While this is good because it conserves water and it helps the towels last a little longer, waiting too long before washing can be kind of gross. Bath towels are made to get wet, obviously, but any moist environment eventually can grow mold and get full of bacteria. You should be washing your towels after every three uses to keep them fresh. Source: iStockBed Sheets and Pillow Cases
Let's be real: stripping your bed to wash all of your sheets and pillow cases is a pain in the ass. It's a decent amount of work and it's annoying AF. Unfortunately, it's also necessary, especially if you don't shower at night before going to sleep. Your sheets get gross, thanks to the sweat and dirt you spread to them each night. If you eat in bed or have a habit of throwing dirty clothes and bags on it, this is even more true. You should, ideally, be washing your sheets once a week, but I know that is borderline impossible. Instead, aim for every two weeks, or if you REALLY don't want to do that, at least do it once a month. This is even more important when it comes to pillow cases - you don't want all of the dirt and grime and bacteria that collects there on your face! Source: iStockYour Toothbrush
Think about what your toothbrush does: it wipes away all of the ickiness from your teeth every single day (probably twice a day). This means it literally gets covered in germs and bacteria. And rinsing your toothbrush under water for five seconds after using? Yeah, that isn't killing anything. Your toothbrush is even more filthy than you think if it's not being stored properly - leaving it out in the open exposes it to the germs that fly into the air whenever someone flushes the toilet. You should be cleaning your toothbrush thoroughly every three months, and sooner if it looks worn and old. Oh, and if you get sick? Get rid of it and get a new one. Source: iStockThe Inside Of Your Car
Unless you're a car fanatic, the inside of your vehicle probably gets left in the dust when it comes to cleaning. I am especially guilty of this - my car is currently filled with sand, old water bottles, plastic bags, and even old coffee cups. If you drive a lot, you need to keep this space clean! Go to the car wash at least once a month. Source: iStockA Down Comforter
Okay, so you don't need to clean your down comforter as often as the rest of these things, but it DOES need to get cleaned once in a while. Down comforters attract bacteria and germs, and lots of dust - so even if they seem protected since they're hidden under a duvet cover, they aren't really. Some experts say to wash it every six months, others say three or four times a year. Source: iStockThe Remote Control
Did you know that remote controls are... disgusting? Especially public remote controls, like the ones in a restaurant or in hotel rooms? They almost never get cleaned, because everyone forgets about them, and also because they can be annoying to clean with all of the little buttons and crevices. But these guys are crawling with germs, so please clean them once a week. An anti-bacterial cleaning wipe or spray will get the job done. Source: iStockYour Handbag and Wallet
Your handbag and your wallet get really gross, really fast. They've been shown to collect germs and bacteria like E.Coli and more. Ick! This is especially true if you aren't careful with them and leave them all over the floor. Wipe them down on a daily basis with an anti-bacterial wipe. Source: iStockYour Phone and Keyboard
You probably already know this, but your phone is disgusting. There are SO many germs on it. So many! Please do yourself a favor and wipe it down once or twice a day with tech-friendly cleaning wipes (I love these). Oh, and while we're at it? Your keyboard, laptop, and tablet are also gross and need to be cleaned. Source: iStockWhich one of these things have you never cleaned? What surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments.
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