The 10 germ hotspots you're forgetting to clean around the house

Telegraph

21-03-2025

When it comes to cleaning, you likely give your toilet a regular scrub and wipe down the kitchen surfaces each day, but are you paying attention to other germ-ridden areas in your home?
Even if you're often armed with anti-bac spray and a cloth, there are certain spots that usually get overlooked, allowing bacteria to build up, potentially causing skin, gut and even breathing problems. So, next time you're tackling household dust and grime, here are the danger zones to add to your radar.
Remote control
No matter what you've been doing – whether it's eating, gardening or nail-biting – bacteria, crumbs and day-to-day dirt can accumulate around the TV remote buttons and in the seams of its battery compartment.
'As a frequently touched, shared surface, the remote control poses a risk of transmission for gastrointestinal (GI) pathogens, such as norovirus, and respiratory tract pathogens, such as Covid-19, rhinovirus (common cold) and influenza,' says immunologist, Yasmin Mohseni.
To stop grime building up, aim for a weekly wipe down. 'Gently clean the remote with an alcohol wipe or microfibre cloth dampened with a mix of water and a little surgical spirit; use a cotton swab for crevices around the buttons,' says Anna Louisa, author of The 5 Minute Clean Routine (£18.99, Century Books).
The stair bannister
Sweaty, unwashed hands make your stair's handrail and bannister a magnet for germs.
' Cough, cold, flu and other viruses can be passed onto the stair bannister, then picked up by another hand,' says Dr Amos Ogunkoya, GP at Charing Cross Hospital in London. So, as well as staying on top of handwashing, give your stair rails and bannister a weekly clean.
'Use a disinfecting wipe or a damp microfibre cloth with a mild cleaning solution such as soapy water,' suggests Louisa.
Sofa cushions
All sorts of grime can end up on your sofa cushions. Pets and outdoor clothes can transmit dirt and bacteria, while crumbs and scraps of food can fester if left for too long.
'Food on sofa cushions can cause a build-up of bacteria like E. coli and staphylococcus aureus,' says Dr Amos. 'If these enter your body, you might face gut issues or itchy skin and skin conditions could flare up.'
Tackle the area by vacuuming cushions fortnightly with an upholstery attachment. 'If possible, remove cushion covers and follow the washing instructions. For non-removable covers, a fabric-safe spray works best,' says Louisa. 'Be extra gentle with delicate fabrics like velvet or suede though as these might need a specialist cleaner or dry-cleaning.'
Pet bed
Just as you would wash your own sheets, it's wise to give your furry friend's bed a regular wash too. ' Pet beds can build up fur, urine, saliva, dander and faeces,' says Mohseni. This can worsen allergies and even asthma.
'Pets can also carry bacteria and parasites such as salmonella, campylobacter and E. coli, which can spread to humans and cause gastrointestinal (GI) issues,' explains Mohseni.
'Deep-clean your pet's bed once a month, with spot cleaning as needed, especially if your pet has any accidents,' Louisa says. 'Vacuum thoroughly to remove pet hair and debris, too. If [the pet bed] is machine-washable, follow the care-label instructions [and wash] with a pet-friendly detergent. For non-washable beds, a steam clean or a pet-safe disinfectant wipe,' she adds.
Spice rack
Let's be honest, you might not always wash your hands before flicking open a spice jar halfway through cooking a meal. But it's wise to be vigilant with your spice rack to avoid potential food-borne illnesses.
A study published in the Journal of Food Protection, found that 48 per cent of the spice jars that were sampled after participants cooked turkey burgers with contaminated meat also became contaminated. In fact, the spice jars featured the highest concentrations of bacteria, beating even the kitchen surfaces.
As a result, Louisa recommends giving your spice rack a monthly deep clean.'Take all your jars out, dust off any loose particles and wipe the shelves and jars with a damp cloth and an all-purpose cleaner. Dry thoroughly before putting everything back.'
Lampshades
Ceiling lampshades, in particular, often get neglected during the weekly clean, allowing a thick blanket of dust to settle.
Dr Amos explains: 'Dust mites, pollen and bacteria can travel in dust, which can cause sneezing, itchy eyes, itchy nose and hay fever symptoms. Dust worsens asthma and, in young children, dust and small particles can really impact lung development too.'
A weekly wipe over lamp shades with a lint roller will help to keep them dust free.
'For a deeper clean, gently wipe with a damp cloth and a tiny bit of mild detergent but check fabric care instructions first,' explains Louisa. 'Delicate fabrics may need gentle treatment; if in doubt, spot clean and avoid soaking them.'
Bedroom pillows
Your pillowcase won't be enough to stop skin cells, oils and sweat from seeping through and turning your pillows a murky shade of yellow. Indeed, unclean pillows can also lead to a build-up of dust mites and their faeces, which can worsen allergies, according to Mohseni: 'Bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus and fungi, including candida albicans, can build up too. These microbes are normally part of our healthy microbiome, but they can cause problems if they enter the bloodstream or deeper tissues,' she says. 'In more extreme cases they can cause toxic shock syndrome or even sepsis. Those that are immunocompromised should pay extra attention to good hygiene practice.'
The upshot? Wash your pillows once every six months – and replace them every two years if you can.
'Most pillows can be machine-washed, but check care labels and follow instructions for washing and drying,' says Louisa. 'To prevent ripping, wash them in a pillowcase or pillow protector on a gentle cycle. Use a small amount of detergent and add vinegar to neutralise odours. You can also speed up the drying process by adding an extra spin (although check the care label first). Allow the pillows to dry fully to avoid any bacteria or mould.'
The duvet
Over time, your duvet absorbs a lot of sweat, dead skin cells, dust mites and bacteria. 'Duvets often go over people's face and nose, so the dust build-up can cause a lot of respiratory problems. Skin conditions like dermatitis are really common, and caused by the bacteria staphylococcus aureus,' says Dr Amos.
'Wash duvets every six months, or more frequently if you have allergies or pets,' says Louisa. 'Most synthetic and some down or feather duvets can be machine-washed at home or at a launderette. If you're using a tumble dryer, add a dryer ball or hang the duvet outside on a sunny day, shaking and fluffing it periodically.
'In between washes, air duvets and pillows outside in the sun to kill dust mites and keep them fresh,' she adds.
The top shelf of your larder
If you can't reach it without recruiting the help of a stool or dining chair, you probably don't take regular trips to the top shelf of your pantry or larder – which means dust, grease and stray food particles can collect there.
'There are the issues that can arise from too much dust, plus food can attract pests such as rodents,' warns Dr Amos, while Louisa advises giving 'the shelf a wipe-down at least once a month'.
Waste-paper bin
If you also use your bedroom bin as a snack graveyard, throwing away bits of food and empty packets, you're entering germ territory.
'Bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli [if food is already contaminated] can multiply as food rots. If these get in contact with your hands and mouth they can cause GI infections, with symptoms like diarrhoea, nausea and fever,' says Mohseni.
'Even if foods aren't contaminated, other bacteria like clostridium and listeria can thrive in rotting food, boosting foodborne illness risk.'
Louisa recommends daily emptying of your bin, plus a weekly deep clean. 'Give the bin a scrub with disinfectant wipes or a cloth dipped in soapy water. Give your outdoor bins a clean, too, including the lid and handles.'