5 of the Dirtiest Places in Your Home

In a misguided attempt at cleanliness, most people routinely wipe their kitchen counters with sponges and dishcloths that are teeming with germs. (According to a University of Arizona study, the average sponge has as many as 7 billion germs on it.) To keep your favorite cleaning tool hygienic, dip it into sudsy water, squeeze the suds through, then rinse and place it in the microwave on high power for three minutes. Then go to town on those countertops.

Under those neat little piles of “clean” knives, forks and spoons is a serious layer of dust and crumbs. Remove everything and wash the organizer periodically--and vacuum the drawer while you’re at it.

Water from your kitchen and bathroom taps flows through what’s called an aerator, and if you haven't cleaned this before (which, let’s be honest, you probably haven’t), you’ll find a little layer of black, mildewy ick-inducing grunge. Every couple of months, remove the aerator and soak it in vinegar for at least 15 minutes. Gently brush all parts with a toothbrush to remove any remaining residue, then screw it back on and drink your tap water mildew-free.

Unless you just cleaned it, it’s dirty--not just from fingerprints, but also with bits of food. Make wiping it down part of your daily routine.

Hey, cleaning the counter in front of small appliances is only half the battle. Under and behind is where you’ll find the real gold: dust, crumbs and dried-on spills.For more of the dirtiest places in your house visit PureWow.com.