Cleaning Pro Reveals Everyday Items Dirtier Than a Toilet Seat

Most of us feel pretty good about our cleaning routines. Counters get wiped down, the vacuum comes out a few times a week, and anything that looks messy gets sorted. But according to Joseph Passalacqua, CEO of residential cleaning service Maid Sailors, the dirtiest places in your home are often the ones that don’t look dirty at all. 

“People naturally focus on what they can see,” Passalacqua says. “But bacteria builds up on the things we touch the most, and because they look fine, they often get skipped during cleaning.” 

The trouble is, those germs don’t just sit there. They’re often why the same cold keeps going around the family, why someone ends up with a random stomach bug, or why breakouts show up out of nowhere. And for kids or older relatives, that hidden dust and bacteria can make allergies or breathing problems even harder to manage. 

Passalacqua stresses that none of these cleaning steps are time-consuming, but they have an outsized effect on household health. “Spending a few extra minutes on the right areas each week helps reduce illness and makes your home genuinely clean – and not just clean on the surface.” 

Every time you flick a switch or grab a doorknob, you’re leaving behind oils, dirt and bacteria. These high-touch spots see constant use – sometimes dozens of times a day – but most households go months without cleaning them. That means germs can quietly accumulate where you least expect them. 

Passalacqua recommends a quick wipe with disinfectant at least once a week. “Front doors, bathrooms, kitchens – these are the main touch points in a home,” he says. “Keeping them clean helps stop bacteria from spreading between family members.” 

Your bed might feel like the cleanest place in the house, but your pillowcase tells another story. Every night it collects sweat, hair oils, saliva and dead skin cells – all pressed against your face for hours at a time. By the end of the week, it’s far less fresh than it looks. 

“Changing pillowcases weekly is one of the simplest habits people can build,” Passalacqua says. “It not only keeps bacteria levels down but also helps protect your skin.” 

The kitchen might look spotless, but it’s one of the easiest places for germs to hide. Fridge drawers, for example, collect little spills and leaks that mix with moisture and quickly turn into breeding grounds for bacteria and mold. 

Water dispensers and ice makers are just as guilty – dark, damp, and rarely cleaned even though the whole family uses them every day – while coffee makers have their own secret problem. That hidden water tank might look fine from the outside, but it often builds up mold. 

Passalacqua says a quick scrub of the fridge drawers once a month and a vinegar rinse through your coffee machine each week is enough to keep things fresh. 

You’d never guess that your toothbrush holder could be one of the grossest things in your bathroom. But it sits there, damp and dark, collecting drips from your brush and whatever’s floating around in the air. Not exactly a clean place for something that touches your mouth. 

An NSF International study from 2011 found that 64% of toothbrush holders had mold or yeast, and many also showed signs of coliform and staph bacteria – more than the germs found on many toilet seats. 

The fix? Passalacqua says a quick scrub with hot, soapy water once a week is all you need to keep your brush clean and your morning routine germ-free. 

One of the biggest germ hotspots in your home is actually your phone. Have you stopped to think of all the places you pick it up – from public transport after touching handrails to the bathroom after, well, whatever needed to be done? 

Phones travel everywhere with us, picking up germs along the way. They are constantly exposed – and because they’re pressed against our hands and faces, they transfer bacteria easily. Passalacqua advises cleaning phones regularly with electronic-safe wipes. “Most people don’t realize their phone may be dirtier than any other item they own,” he says. “Keeping it clean prevents that bacteria from transferring back to your skin.” 

Kitchen sponges are probably the most notorious germ trap of all. Warm, damp, and used to wipe away food residue, they provide exactly the conditions bacteria needs to grow. Yet most households keep sponges far too long before replacing them. 

“Sponges should be replaced every two weeks at minimum,” Passalacqua explains. In between, he recommends sanitizing them in the microwave or dishwasher. “It’s a small habit that has a big impact on keeping your kitchen surfaces safe.” 

Even laundry can be affected if the washing machine itself isn’t clean. In front-loading washers, the rubber door seals trap detergent residue and water, which creates a damp pocket where mold thrives. 

“Most people don’t really think about their washing machine until something smells weird,” Passalacqua says. “You open the door expecting fresh laundry, but instead your clothes come out with that damp, musty smell.” 

He says the fix is easier than people think – just wipe around the rubber seal and leave the door cracked open so it can dry. “It takes seconds, but it stops that smell from ever starting and keeps your clothes properly fresh.”