By Toi Degree

Rowan Cooperative Extension

As much as we do to keep our homes as clean as possible, we sometimes forget about certain household items that can host some nasty germs and should be cleaned on a regular basis.
I know you’re shocked … so now that you have sighed one of the longest sighs ever, listen up. Not only am I going to give you the list but also tips for cleaning the items on the list.
Bed pillows
Wash them: Most pillows can be machine-washed and dried; check the label. Set the washer on the gentle cycle, and wash in hot water using a mild liquid detergent (powder will leave residue). Wash two regular-size pillows together to balance the load (king-size ones should go one at a time). Run pillows through the rinse cycle twice.

Dry them: Place pillows in the dryer along with two clean tennis balls, and set on low heat. Polyester or cotton-filled pillows take one to two hours to dry; down requires two to three hours, sometimes longer. To prevent overheating, remove the pillow regularly, fluff and return.

Check for dryness: It’s imperative to dry down pillows completely to prevent mold and mildew from growing. After two hours, remove them from the dryers, let cool, and squeeze several spots on the pillows between two fingers. If there is any moistness or clumps, return them to the dryer.

Clean: Every three to six months.

Washer and dryer
Wipe out bacteria: Hot water (between 140 and 150 degrees) and bleach is the only way to kill germs. Washing a load of whites in hot water and chlorine bleach sanitizes the machine.

Take extra precaution: Once a month, run an empty load with hot water and bleach to sanitize the basin and wipe out any lingering germs.

Clean: With each load of whites.

Dishwasher
Disinfect it: Pour vinegar into a dishwasher-safe cup; place the cup upright on an empty dishwasher’s top rack. Run a full cycle, using the hot-water setting. Next, deodorize the machine by sprinkling a cup of baking soda on the bottom of the tub and running the dishwasher on a half-cycle with hot water. Leave your dishwasher door open for a few hours afterwards to air it out.

When you see mold and mildew: Pour 1/2 to 1 cup of bleach into the bottom of the dishwasher, and run a full cycle. For stainless-steel interiors, use vinegar and baking soda.

Clean: Once a month.

Computers
De-crumb your desktop model: Start by disconnecting your keyboard and mouse. Remove dust and debris by brushing the keys with a soft-bristled paintbrush or computer cleaning brush, or suck up the dirt with the brush hose attachments on the vacuum. You also can use compressed air to blow out small particles. To disinfect, pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a clean rag, and wipe down the keys and mouse; do not saturate the rag or keys. For deep crevices, use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.

Tackle your laptop: Turn off the unit, and unplug and remove such items as a USB port hub and an external mouse; then, follow the steps for desktop computers.

Clean: Once a month.

Your Purse
For vinyl or plastic bags: Wipe away germs with a disinfecting wipe.

For leather bags: Use alcohol-free baby wipes; test the wipe first on an inconspicuous spot to make sure it doesn’t leave a stain or darken the material.

For cotton bags: Machine or hand-wash in hot water, and air dry.

Clean: Weekly.

Sink and drain
Sanitize it: Every evening, wipe down the entire sink, drain and strainer basket with a disinfecting wipe. Place the strainer in the dishwasher weekly.

Clear the drain: Once a month, pour 1 cup of bleach down the drain. Then, flush with hot water. Do not use bleach if you have a septic system; instead, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. Then, rinse with a pot of boiling water.

The list of things above is just a few of the things that we use daily and may not clean on a regular basis. There are also additional everyday items that most people never think to swab down, such as credit cards, ceiling fans and toilet paper holders.

The Huffington Post’s StyleList assembled a list of the top 10 most dirty, dusty and germy places in your home and how to clean them. You can print it out and add it to your weekend to-do list.  You can see the list here:  http://isp.netscape.com/homerealestate/package.jsp?name=fte/cleanbutdonot/cleanbutdonot

Article information taken from:  http://www.allyou.com/household-items-clean
Toi N. Degree, Family & Consumer Education Agent, at the Rowan County Cooperative Extension office, 704-216-8970 or attoi_degree@ncsu.edu