Cleaning House - Home Hygiene and Cleaning Tips - iVillage

Cleaning House: Home Hygiene Guide

Ever wonder how often you should toss or replace items around the house? Some common household items accumulate dust, dirt and mold more quickly than others. Here's the skinny on which should get your frequent attention so they don't become infested with germs:

Air Filters: Your air conditioning filter accumulates dirt and dust. Those airborne contaminants are an allergy and asthma sufferer's worst enemies and may be responsible for recirculating illness. Change disposable filters monthly, or wash reusable filters in hot soapy water and air dry before replacing.

Cutting Boards: The Environmental Protection Agency says soap and water will effectively kill the bacteria on a cutting board surface. Try a scrubby brush for nicks and crannies. Keep a separate vegetable and meat board, and replace wood boards when they're fairly nicked up. Once plastic and wooden boards are cut up, even a thorough cleaning won't eliminate all germs deep down.

Food Storage: Tasting or sniffing that container of yogurt in the back of your refrigerator isn't always the best way to judge if it's still good. You can take the guesswork out by using our printable food safety storage timeline from Texas A&M University that tells you how long foods can be saved for.

Pillows: The National Library of Medicine recommends replacing pillows every three years. Since pillows collect dander and body oils, they're a breeding ground for dust mites ‑- a major cause of allergies and upper respiratory infections. Cleaning them is nearly impossible since fibers break down, mat up and, over time, won't offer neck and head support. Wash your pillowcases at least once a week to keep your skin clean and clear.

Sheets: Launder weekly in warm to hot water to keep bed bugs ‑- microscopic bugs that like to live in linens and mattresses ‑- at bay.

Sponges: Kitchen sponges are a breeding ground for germs. Wash them nightly in the dishwasher, or microwave the sponge until steam starts to rise (about 30 seconds) to disinfect. Watch carefully to avoid causing a fire. Replace your sponges every week or two; otherwise, you'll spread bacteria all over your kitchen ‑- the dirtiest room in the house.

Toothbrushes: Worn or fractured bristles harbor germs that can be transferred right back into your teeth and gums. Let your toothbrush air dry in the upright position to keep fungus from flourishing. Toothbrushes should be kept an inch apart from one another so as not to trade germs and also kept away from the toilet. Bacteria from the toilet becomes airborne from every flush, so your best bet is to close the lid first. Rinse your brush periodically in a disinfecting mouthwash, and replace it every three months or after a cold or illness.

Towels: Reusing bath towels several times conserves energy, but launder in hot water after two uses. The humidity of the bathroom from your hot showers keeps your towels moist -- a perfect place to harbor bacteria. Change bathroom and kitchen hand towels weekly.