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Coffee maker -

As you brew your daily coffee, mold, yeast, and other bacteria can build up inside the reservoir and pot. Clean the reservoir with a 50-50 solution of white distilled vinegar and water. Run a brewing cycle without any beans, stopping about halfway through to let the vinegar solution soak for at least 30 minutes. Finish the cycle, then repeat with clean water to flush away any lingering vinegar scent. 

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Faucets -

If you don't clean the part where the water comes out, chances are you'll find black mildew. So, every couple of months, remove the faucet aerator by twisting it counter-clockwise, then soak it in vinegar for at least 15 minutes. Gently brush all parts with an old toothbrush to remove any remaining residue, then screw it back on.

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Kitchen sponge -

This is one of the worst germ culprits because the holes in a sponge let bacteria flourish. According to experts, swapping out your sponges once a week is highly recommended.

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Your workstation -

If you work from home, your workstation is probably a breeding ground for germs. Wipe down each surface every few days to keep germs at bay. 

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Above your kitchen cabinets -

Out-of-sight and out-of-mind, find years' worth of dust above your kitchen cabinets. So make sure you have a stepladder and your vacuum's hose attachment (or a wet/dry vac) for this chore. 

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Toothbrush holders and cups -

Toothbrush holders and cups are usually positioned next to the toilet, making them one of the places in the home most susceptible to bacteria. Make sure to clean them once or twice a week, either in the dishwasher or by hand in hot, soapy water.

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Handles and switches -

Make sure you use a microfiber cloth, dampened with a cleaning product, to wipe down handles and switches during your regular cleaning routine.

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Around your stove -

When the stove is cool, spray it with distilled white vinegar and sprinkle baking soda over it. Moisten a towel in hot water and drape it over the baking soda and vinegar. After about 10 minutes, scrub the stove top clean with the towel and rinse often. Then, spray more vinegar on the stove top and wipe it again.

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Bathtub -

Water that lingers after a shower or bath breeds mold, fungi, and staph bacteria. Therefore, disinfect regularly, even up to three times weekly if the tub is used daily by multiple family members.

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Pet toys and bowls -

Make sure to clean hard and soft toys weekly with hot soapy water. Food and water bowls should also be washed daily. 

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Washing machine -

The washing machine is a commonly forgotten spot when it comes to cleaning. With frequent use, the detergent drawer is very prone to a build-up of limescale and bacteria. Remove it and give it a good spray down with a powerful limescale remover.

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Around your toilet -

Wipe down flat surfaces like walls near toilets with disinfectant products whenever you clean your bathroom.

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Inside the refrigerator -

Clean the inside regularly, especially the vegetable drawers because they hold raw produce. Do so by filling your sink with hot water and dishwashing liquid. Remove items from one refrigerator shelf, then remove the shelf itself. Wash it in the sink, dry it with a microfiber cloth, and replace it in the fridge. 

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Remote controls -

One of the surfaces with the most germs, use a disinfectant wipe to clean remotes often. To get in between the buttons, try a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.

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Kitchen sink -

Due to all those food particles mingling in a moist environment, the kitchen sink is one of the dirtiest places in your home. Wash it with soap and water daily, and disinfect it with a kitchen cleaner once or twice a week.

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Hand towels -

Wash hand towels at least once a week, more often if there are children around. Also, avoid sharing towels as they may harbor microbes.

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Spice jars -

Think you're just sprinkling spices on your food? You might also be transferring, or picking up, bacteria on your hands as you handle those jars. To avoid cross-contamination, use a hot, soapy cloth or disinfectant wipes on spice jars.  

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Dishwasher -

Similar to the washing machine, many people forget to clean a dishwasher or even unclog it. Therefore, it's essential to clean it once a month to ensure it's free from residue. A great way to do it is by placing a dishwasher-safe bowl filled with one cup of distilled white vinegar on the top rack. Then, run a cycle without detergent or dishes.

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Cutting board -

Raw meat and vegetables can carry E. coli and salmonella. Therefore, make sure you're using separate cutting boards, one for meat and one for everything else. Also, scrub cutting boards after each use with soap and hot water. 

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Wastebasket -

These containers can harbor germs from the items you discard. Regularly disinfect them with soap and water, or disinfectant. Also, use plastic liners to reduce germ build-up.  

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Blinds -

By design, blinds collect a ton of dust and debris, which increases allergens in the air. Use a microfiber cloth dampened with water to remove the dust and debris. 

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Range hood interior -

This might surprise you, but there is grease trapped inside the range hood. To clean it, use a damp (not wet) cloth to remove grease and dirt. If it's extra grimy, spray the cloth with a multipurpose cleaner. 

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Keyboards -

Just like with remotes, keyboards may have more germs than you think. Use a toothbrush or other small brush to clean debris from around the keys. Then wipe the entire device clean with disinfectant.

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Window tracks -

When cleaning windows, it's often about getting the glass to sparkle. But don't forget the window tracks! Start by vacuuming away any loose dust, bugs, and debris from the tracks. Then, dip a cotton swab or a small brush into some multipurpose cleaner and scrub away the dirt. 

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Ceiling fan -

Ceiling fans accumulate dust whether they're moving or not, and those particles and allergens spread through the room. The easiest way to clean a fan blade is to use an old pillowcase. Place it over the fan blade. Then, with your hand lightly pressing on top of the case, drag the pillowcase off. The dust will fall into the pillowcase.

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Blender gasket -

The blender gasket, that thin rubber ring that sits between the blender's blade and the container floor, is often home to a legion of bacteria, including E. coli, yeast, and mold. Wash it with warm soapy water immediately after use. Use a brush or sponge to remove any debris or residue that may be stuck in the gasket.

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Baseboards -

The baseboards around your home are a hotspot for dirt and dust. In order to reduce dust in these areas, vacuum your boards weekly. 

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Countertops -

Clean and disinfect any surface where food is prepared, before and afterward, to remove foodborne bacteria that can cause illnesses. 

Sources: (Better Homes & Gardens) (The Spruce) (Reader's Digest)

See also: All-natural cleaning solutions that really work

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