Your Privacy is Important to us

We encourage you to review our Terms of Service, and Privacy Policy.

By continuing, you agree to the Terms listed here. In case you want to opt out, please click "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" link in the footer of this page.

Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information

We won't sell or share your personal information to inform the ads you see. You may still see interest-based ads if your information is sold or shared by other companies or was sold or shared previously.

Continue on TOI App
Open App
Login for better experience!
Login Now
Welcome! to timesofindia.com
TOI INDTOI USTOI GCC
TOI+
  • Home
  • Live
  • TOI Games
  • Top Headlines
  • India
  • City News
  • Photos
  • Business
  • Real Estate
  • Entertainment
  • Movie Reviews
  • Lifestyle
  • Podcasts
  • Elections
  • Web Series
  • Sports
  • TV
  • Food
  • Travel
  • Events
  • World
  • Music
  • Astrology
  • Videos
  • Tech
  • Auto
  • Education
  • Log Out
Follow Us On
Open App
  • ETIMES
  • CINEMA
  • VIDEOS
  • TV
  • LIFESTYLE
  • VISUAL STORIES
  • MUSIC
  • TRAVEL
  • FOOD
  • TRENDING
  • EVENTS
  • THEATRE
  • PHOTOS
  • MOVIE REVIEWS
  • MOVIE LISTINGS
  • HEALTH
  • RELATIONSHIP
  • WEB SERIES
  • BOX OFFICE

Things you should be cleaning more often than you think

TOI Lifestyle Desk
| etimes.in | Last updated on - Apr 22, 2026, 08:14 IST
Comments
Share
1/6

Things you should be cleaning more often than you think



Cleaning the floors and sweeping visible dust seems to be a regular practice; however, some items may become germ collectors over time, which may result in worse hygiene. People seldom think about keeping such objects clean since they tend to use them regularly, making cleaning unnecessary at first glance. Nonetheless, these items need to be maintained and disinfected frequently to avoid hygiene problems and support good health. The following presentation lists 5 commonly ignored items, cleaning, which will ensure higher standards of hygiene.

2/6

Mobile phones and gadgets

One of the most used and ignored items when considering regular cleaning is a mobile phone, which is used by everybody nowadays. Since the phone is constantly used by holding, it is likely to accumulate many bacteria due to contact with various surfaces. This also applies to earphones, keyboards, and remote controllers since they can easily get contaminated when using the devices. Thus, it will be beneficial to wash them with disinfectant wipes occasionally.

3/6

Door handles and light switches

Door handles and light switches are items that everybody comes into contact with each day; nonetheless, people do not usually pay attention to them while cleaning. They can serve as an excellent breeding place for germs and spread them through households. However, it is possible to maintain hygiene by cleaning such areas regularly with disinfectants to prevent bacterial reproduction.

4/6

Kitchen sponges and dishcloths

The mentioned items are regularly in touch with water and food particles; hence, there is a high probability of bacteria accumulation in them. Using sponges again without cleaning leads to the spread of germs rather than their removal from dishes. Therefore, cleaning these items or changing them occasionally will help avoid any problems and promote cleanliness.

5/6

Pillow covers and bedsheets

Most people tend to wash bedsheets, but they forget to pay the same attention to pillow covers, which come into contact with the user's body all the time. Thus, they are likely to be full of sweat, oils, and dust, leading to hygiene problems and negatively affecting health. Cleaning covers more often than bedsheets will be helpful in this case to ensure comfortable sleeping conditions.

6/6

Reusable bags and water bottles

Reusing plastic bags and buying new ones is a good way of reducing pollution; however, reusable items require regular cleaning to keep them free from dirt. For example, reusable water bottles accumulate smells inside, whereas bags can accumulate germs due to carrying various products. In this case, washing these items with soap will help to maintain their hygiene and quality.

Start a Conversation

Post comment
Featured In lifestyle
  • Lepakshi temple ceiling paintings: 500-year-old murals that continue to astonish us
  • Success quote of the day by Friedrich Nietzsche: “The snake which cannot cast its skin has to die, as well the minds which..."
  • 7 budget-friendly localities in Pune for rent in 2026: Affordable areas with strong connectivity
  • Self-taught woman builds a miniature city masterpiece from 60 kg of chocolate inspired by an ancient Chinese painting
  • “Zabardasti ganda karne ki aadat hai logon ki…"; tourists turn Spiti’s Ramsar-listed Chandra Taal into a littering ground
  • 7 fun activities parents can do with children that they’ll cherish forever
  • What is the June theory? The viral relationship trend taking over social media
  • 70-year-old father reflects on the one thing he would have done differently: "If I were 40 again, I would never..."
  • 6 foods Navy officers eat at sea more often than others
Photostories
  • Sleeping enough but still tired? These vitamin deficiencies could explain why
  • Mark Zuckerberg's $300 million superyacht Launchpad: Why everyone is talking about the 'big boat'
  • Leaves turning chalky white: Here’s the reason behind it and how to fix it
  • Forget the royals, Mahira Khan’s shimmering desi moment at King Charles’ charity dinner made her look like the main event and not a guest
  • All about Knox and Vivienne: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s youngest 17-year-old twins
  • 7 budget-friendly localities in Pune for rent in 2026: Affordable areas with strong connectivity
  • Fatty Liver cases are rising: Can weight loss, healthy eating, and simple lifestyle changes reverse the damage?
  • From Rusty Nail to White Lady: 10 cocktails and the stories behind them
  • The ancient Persian beauty guide: 5 Iranian beauty remedies that still deliver results
Explore more Stories
  • 5
    Forget the royals, Mahira Khan’s shimmering desi moment at King Charles’ charity dinner made her look like the main event and not a guest
  • 7
    Leaves turning chalky white: Here’s the reason behind it and how to fix it
  • 7
    6 foods Navy officers eat at sea more often than others
  • 6
    The ancient Persian beauty guide: 5 Iranian beauty remedies that still deliver results
  • 11
    From Rusty Nail to White Lady: 10 cocktails and the stories behind them
Up Next
  • ETimes
  • /
  • Life & Style
  • /
  • Home & Garden
  • /
  • Things you should be cleaning more often than you think
About UsTerms Of UsePrivacy PolicyCookie Policy

Copyright © Jun 10, 2026, 06.22PM IST Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service