Uncovering the Hidden Dirt: Cleaning Tips for Kitchens

Dirt and grime can hide in some unexpected places around your home (we see you, dishwasher filters!). But if you overlook these areas for too long, they can become a hotbed for germs and bacteria, dust, and even mold.

Cleaning the floors and scrubbing the counters and toilets may be standard cleaning chores, but are there other things you’re forgetting to clean in your house? Studies have found that many of the germiest places in a home may not be considered prime problem areas. And they may not be part of a typical cleaning routine.

So, let’s expose all those dirty little secrets lurking around the home — and finally give them a good cleaning.

Commonly Missed Cleaning Areas in Kitchens

• Appliances

• Areas that get routinely wet

• Out-of-sight areas, like the inside of cabinets

• Fixtures, like sink faucets

• Dusty areas, like doorframes, décor on walls, baseboards, and windowsills

The Top Germy Places in the Home

The ten most germy places in your house are your Kitchen sponge/dish rag, Kitchen sink, Toothbrush holder, Pet bowl, Coffee reservoir, Faucet handles, Pet toys, Countertops, Stove knobs, & Cutting boards.

The National Sanitation Foundation's longstanding research named these top 10 germ-laden spots:

1. Kitchen sponge/dish rag

2. Kitchen sink

3. Pet bowl

4. Coffee reservoir

5. Faucet handles

6. Pet toys

7. Countertops

8. Stove knobs

9. Cutting boards

Kitchen Cleaning Tips: Commonly Overlooked Items

As far as the germiest place in the house, that would be the kitchen, according to the NSF. Here are items you may forget to clean:

Kitchen Sponges

More than 75% of dish sponges and rags contain Salmonella, E.coli and fecal matter —that’s way higher than 9% for bathroom faucet handles, according to NSF research. The foundation recommends ditching sponges in favor of dishcloths, towels, or rags, which are easily sanitized by tossing them in the washing machine.

How to clean it: Soak the sponge in a solution of white vinegar for about five minutes, or, the NSF recommends placing wet sponges in the microwave for two minutes once per day.

How often: Daily (replace sponges every two weeks or more, as needed)

Dishwasher Filters

Once the dishwasher starts to stink, you’ll also start to notice your dishes won’t smell clean,. There’s a “secret strainer” at the bottom of the dishwasher that needs to be cleaned. Many households don’t even know it’s there, which means decaying food particles could linger for months — or even years.

How to clean it: Unscrew the strainer. Rinse it under the sink to clean it and remove any food particles. Reinstall.

How often: Every three to six months, or as needed

Coffee Reservoir

Coffee reservoirs (aka built-in water tanks on coffee machines) also is one of the germiest places in the home, according to the NSF. It’s a prime spot for bacteria, mold, and mildew to grow.

How to clean it: Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Vinegar can often be used to clean a coffeemaker. The NSF recommends this process: Add up to four cups of undiluted vinegar to the reservoir. Let it stand for 30 minutes. Run the vinegar through the coffee machine. Then, run two to three additional cycles using fresh water until the vinegar solution and odor are gone.

How often: Most manufacturers recommend every 40 to 80 brew cycles or monthly

Trash Cans

A trash bag liner can catch only so much. Eventually, odors can build up, and grime can seep through, leaving a stinky garbage can and stinky kitchen.

How to clean it: Merry Maids recommends first wiping down the outside of the empty trashcan using a microfiber cloth with warm soapy water. Then, do the same on the inside of the trash can. Dry thoroughly using a fresh microfiber cloth or towel. Once the trash can is completely dry, place a new bin liner inside.

How often: As needed or monthly

Range Hood Vents

The range hood above your cooktop vents to remove grease, odors, and smoke while cooking. But it can be a magnet for food particles and grease buildup. When the filter is clogged, the fan won’t work as effectively. Also, a heavily greased filter could pose a fire hazard.

How to clean it: Check the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning. Typically, this requires removing the vent hood filter, often on the underside of the hood. Use a dry cloth to loosen any dirt or debris. Soak the filters in hot water with dish soap. After the filters are dry, reinstall them.

How often: Monthly or annually, depending on cooking frequency

The Coils Behind the Refrigerator

Those dark spaces behind your fridge can hide surprising amounts of grease and crumbs, while the coils underneath can collect dust that can affect performance.

How to clean it: Use a vacuum with a long attachment, followed by a microfiber mop that contains a degreasing solution.

How often: Every three to four months

Kitchen Faucet

White, crusty limescale deposits can appear on the faucet. They are unsightly and also can reduce your water pressure.

How to clean it: Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar. Secure it around the faucet with a rubber band. Let it soak for four to six hours — or overnight for tough buildups. The vinegar will help dissolve the mineral deposits. Once the bag is removed, scrub the faucet gently to remove any remaining residue.

How often: Every few months

Kitchen Sink and Disposal

The kitchen sink can harbor a lot of bacteria and germs, even possibly cross-contaminating your food if you aren’t careful. The disposal can also add a foul odor to your kitchen space.

How to clean it: Wash and disinfect the sides and bottoms of the sink with a disinfecting cleaner. Molly Maid, a national housecleaning service, recommends several methods to clean a garbage disposal, including grinding up ice cubes in the disposal to dislodge food buildup. Then, pour a half cup of baking soda into the disposal. Let it sit for 30 minutes. Then, pour a cup of vinegar into the disposal, allowing it to sit for a few minutes. Rinse with hot water.

How often: Once or twice a week with a disinfecting cleaner for the kitchen sink, and monthly for the garbage disposal

Stove Knobs

These often-forgotten spots around a home can harbor germs.

How to clean it: On most stove models, the control knobs can be pulled off. Check the manual. Once knobs are removed, wash them in hot, soapy water. Rinse well and let them dry before reinstalling.

How often: Weekly

Pantry Shelves

Crumbs, mold, and left-open food can be hidden throughout a kitchen pantry’s shelves. They can attract pests and pantry moths.

How to clean it: Toss any expired food items. Clean with a damp rag, wiping down each shelf. For long-term maintenance, consider adding shelf liners to better protect shelves from spills and use storage containers to securely store dry goods.

How often: Every three to six months