The Germiest Spots in Your House (That You’re Probably Missing)
Why the Cleanest Homes Still Harbor Hidden Germs
Even in well-maintained homes across El Segundo — from the sleek condos off Main Street to the family homes near Richmond Street School — bacteria are thriving in places you’d never expect. Sure, most people scrub their counters and mop their floors, but some of the most contaminated areas of your house never see a disinfecting wipe.
This isn’t just about visible mess. It’s about high-touch areas, forgotten nooks, and items that quietly collect bacteria every day. Here’s a deep dive into the spots you’re probably overlooking — and how to fix it.
1. The Remote Control
You click it, your kids drop it, your guests pass it around — yet it rarely gets cleaned. The remote is often coated in sweat, oil from hands, food residue, and airborne particles.
What to do:
Use a microfiber cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol to wipe down the buttons and crevices once a week. Use a cotton swab for tight areas.
2. Light Switches and Door Handles
You touch these every day — right after sneezing, cooking, or coming home from the outside world. In El Segundo homes, particularly those near the beach or downtown shops, there’s a constant flow of people and bacteria.
What to do:
Spray a cloth with disinfectant and wipe down all light switches and door handles weekly. Don’t forget bathroom doors, bedroom handles, and the fridge door.
3. Your Kitchen Sponge
That sponge by your sink? It’s likely teeming with more bacteria than your toilet seat. The warm, wet environment is perfect for microbial growth.
What to do:
Microwave your sponge (wet) for 1–2 minutes every few days. Replace it every 1–2 weeks. Or better yet, switch to washable silicone scrubbers that don’t absorb bacteria.
4. Coffee Maker Reservoir
Coffee lovers in El Segundo, beware: The water reservoir inside your machine is dark, moist, and often unwashed — making it a bacterial playground.
What to do:
Fill the reservoir with equal parts white vinegar and water. Run a brew cycle, then flush with clean water 2–3 times. Repeat monthly.
5. Reusable Grocery Bags
While El Segundo residents are among the most eco-conscious in LA County, many forget that reusable bags can become germ magnets, especially when they carry raw meat or leaky produce.
What to do:
Toss cloth bags in the laundry weekly. For plastic-lined bags, wipe down with disinfectant.
6. Pet Bowls and Toys
Even if you feed your dog the highest quality kibble from Petco on Sepulveda, those bowls can be hotspots for Salmonella and E. coli.
What to do:
Wash pet bowls with hot, soapy water every day. Sanitize weekly by soaking them in a vinegar and water solution. Toss or deep-clean plush toys regularly.
7. Your Toothbrush Holder
This is one of the top three most bacteria-laden places in most bathrooms — often worse than the toilet. Water drips, toothpaste goo, and bathroom air combine for a mess.
What to do:
Run the holder through your dishwasher once a week or scrub with a bleach solution.
8. Bathroom Faucets and Shower Handles
While you may clean the sinks and tubs, the handles themselves are often forgotten — despite being touched before and after handwashing.
What to do:
Wipe all bathroom handles with a disinfecting wipe or cloth twice a week. Don’t forget behind the handle bases where mold can grow.
9. Keyboards and Cell Phones
Whether you’re working from home or scrolling through Instagram after walking along Dockweiler Beach, your hands bring a lot of bacteria to your devices.
What to do:
Use alcohol wipes or a cloth with diluted rubbing alcohol. Clean daily, especially if others use your electronics.
10. Bottom of Purses and Backpacks
When you come home and drop your bag on the couch or table, you’re unknowingly transferring germs from the floor of public spaces right into your home.
What to do:
Wipe bag bottoms regularly with disinfectant. Keep them off kitchen counters and beds.
Bonus: Washer and Dishwasher Seals
These rubber seals can trap moisture and food particles, encouraging mold and mildew — even in the appliances meant to clean.
What to do:
After each use, wipe the seals dry and leave the doors open. Deep-clean monthly with baking soda and vinegar.
The Case for a Deeper Clean in El Segundo Homes
In a bustling city like El Segundo, where people are constantly in motion — commuting to nearby aerospace hubs, hosting backyard BBQs, or dropping kids off at Richmond Street Elementary — your home becomes a high-traffic zone. And high-traffic means higher germ potential.
A clean-looking home isn’t always a germ-free one. Targeting these overlooked areas helps protect your household’s health and keeps your living space truly fresh.
Want Help With the Dirty Work?
If your schedule is packed or you’re simply tired of scrubbing, professional cleaning services like those provided by Marching Maids in El Segundo offer detailed cleanings that address commonly missed zones — from light switches to appliance seals. Whether you opt for one-time service or recurring cleanings, staying on top of the germiest areas will improve your air quality and peace of mind.