SweepSouth, Aisha Pandor's on-demand home services company, helps thousands of people keep their homes spotless and lists places we often forget to clean.

In a study by the global health organization NSF International, where the highest bacterial concentration in the average household was investigated, three of the top five bacterial hotspots were in the kitchen-which resulted in the first area that required good spring cleaning.

The back of your refrigerator

The first place that is rarely cleaned in the house is the back of the refrigerator-that is the back of the outside, not the inside! The coils located there can cool the air, but if they are coated with dirt, they cannot be cooled effectively. In order to access the coil, Aisha recommends that you unplug the refrigerator, pull it away from the wall, and gently brush off any dirt and dust on the coil.

Do this once a year and it will help you save electricity costs. Refrigerators are one of the most energy-consuming appliances in the household, and the energy used by them can be reduced by as much as 30% by cleaning their external coils. After pushing the refrigerator back to its original position, remember to leave a space between the refrigerator and the wall to allow air to circulate freely.

Tile backsplashes are often overlooked in the cleaning process, but they are notorious for attracting grease and dirt. Aisha says this grease is like a magnet for dust and dirt—it's not exactly the type of environment you want to prepare food for. To clean the backsplash using natural products, mix two cups of distilled white vinegar with one cup of water and 15 drops of eucalyptus oil. Use a cloth to gently wipe the mixture and wipe the tiles to clean. You can also use this cleaning mixture on any shiny, non-porous surface such as a sink.

At the heart of food preparation in the kitchen, the oven is the main place for bacteria. Clean the inside regularly and put foil on the bottom to catch any drips and spills. When the aluminum foil gets dirty, just peel it off and throw it away. However, it's not just the interior that needs to be cleaned-stove knobs are in the top 10 places where bacteria hide. When cleaning, remove the knob and wash with hot soapy water. Rinse, dry, and reinstall. On the gas stove, remove the gas ring and wash them with hot soapy water. 

We love our pets, but the NSF International Bacteria Study shows that the pet bowl is the fourth largest breeding area for bacteria in the home. Wash pet bowls and dishes by hand in the dishwasher or in hot soapy water every day. Rinse off any residue, then air dry.  

You may rarely observe your can opener carefully, but it is surprising that this kitchen utensil can become so dirty. The can opener will breed bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli. It should be washed after each use to clean the gears and cutting wheels. Dry thoroughly to prevent rust. If dirt accumulates on the wheels of the can opener, Aisha has a clever trick to clean it: just clamp the wheel on a dry paper towel and turn the handle to remove any dirt. 

The bathroom is a breeding ground for microorganisms, but you may not be alone when you think about showering, which is especially creepy... Bacteria swarms on the floor and walls, lurking in the shower head invisible! Scientists at the University of Manchester have discovered that mucus accumulated in the shower may contain bacteria and fungi associated with a range of diseases, including Legionnaires’ disease and Crohn’s disease, as well as general skin, hair, eye and ear diseases. Because bacteria grow in such a humid environment, Aisha recommends that you regularly use bathroom disinfectant to clean the inside of the shower room, and don't forget the two main locations of bacteria in the shower room: the floor and the shower curtain.  

Your beautiful makeup collection may be the last place you want to see annoying ghosts crawling around. However, experts warn that dirty makeup brushes can cause severe damage to the skin. The brush you use to outline and apply blush, powder and eye color trap product residues, skin oils and cells, and general dirt in the bristles-an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, dirty brushes can cause acne and skin rashes, and even serious fungal infections, E. coli or staphylococcal infections. If you put on makeup every day, clean the brush every 7 to 10 days, wash gently with a mild baby shampoo, and then rinse with cold water until the water is clear. Put the brush on the towel and let it air dry.   

Makeup products also need attention

It's not just makeup brushes that need to be cleaned, but your products also need to be cleaned. A study published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology investigated the presence of bacteria in cosmetics (lipstick, lip gloss, eyeliner, mascara and beauty blender) and found that 70% to 90% contained fungi and bacteria, including E. coli -This can cause diarrhea, urinary tract infections and respiratory diseases.  

The study emphasized the beauty blender on the grounds that 93% of the products were not cleaned, and 64% of the products fell on the floor and continued to be used! Discard any old cosmetics in your collection. Most cosmetics do not have a shelf life, but you should pay attention to the shelf life. Change mascara and eyeliner every six months. Lipstick can be used for one year, while blush, eye shadow and foundation can be used for two years.

 Aisha said that although experts do say that we need to be exposed to bacteria to help build a strong immune system, we need to limit our exposure to bacteria that cause serious diseases. By cleaning the above-mentioned areas regularly, you will help maintain hygiene and safety in your home.

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