5 Spots in Your Bathroom That Are Dirtier Than You Think

How you clean your house is as personal as how you decorate it, but there’s one thing everyone can agree on. For a healthy, happy home, regular bathroom cleanings are a true must.

While you probably hit the major zones consistently, there are other areas that might need more attention—some corners may be dirtier than you think.

We decided to turn to the experts to find out what common spots in our bathrooms are often neglected and, unfortunately, might be dirtier than we realize.

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High-Touch Areas

We’re so focused on the obviously dirty zones in our bathroom that we often overlook the smaller spots that are just as germ-ridden, according to Dr. Julie McKinney, global director of microbiology at Reckitt. These include high-touch surfaces like the toilet flush, sink tap, and door handles.

McKinney suggests disinfecting these areas regularly—as often as you clean your bathroom, if not more. 

Behind the Toilet

While you might be great about regularly cleaning your toilet bowl and wiping down the seat and tank, behind the toilet is a common problem area, according to Delah Gomasi, the owner and CEO of MaidForYou.

Gomasi says from personal experience, this seems to be especially true for homes with small children, who may struggle with aim or cleaning up after themselves. 

It’s best to address this area weekly as a part of your overall bathroom cleaning routine. You can easily use a disinfectant spray and a microfiber cloth or handled mop to reach this area.

Underwashed Bath Towels

While you probably wash your bath towels regularly, it still might not be often enough, says Shaun Veran, microbiologist and co-founder of Oura. In fact, he says they should be washed properly every two to three uses.

“Prolonged dampness and residual body oils can turn your bath towel into a hot spot for unpleasant odors, especially when left damp in warm, dark, humid bathrooms,” Veran says.

Fortunately, Veran also offered some tips for effectively cleaning our bath towels. Use hot water to launder your towels to help kill bacteria and remove oils and dirt effectively. Quality detergent is also a must, and every few washed, add a cup of white vinegar to your towels’ rinse cycle.

“This natural disinfectant helps kill bacteria, and it’s excellent for removing any musty smells that towels might have developed,” Veran says. 

Toilet Brush and Holder

When was the last time you cleaned your toilet brush holder? If the answer is never, Gomasi says you’re not alone. 

“Usually, people will clean their toilet using a toilet brush and then place it straight back into their toilet brush holder,” Gomasi says.

This unfortunately means that whatever is left on the brush after a toilet scrubbing only gets transferred into the holder—where, as Gomasi says, it’s left to fester.

“Compounded over time, you’ll find that this is by far the dirtiest, most unhygienic part of the bathroom,” Gomasi says.

The best way to tackle this job is to start with keeping toilet brush clean—yes, after each and every toilet cleaning. Sanitize it in hot water and disinfectant, and never put your toilet brush straight into the holder after cleaning the toilet without disinfecting it.

Toothbrush Holders

Are you sensing a theme? Toothbrush holders are another commonly under-cleaned area in your bathroom, Veran says. 

“These holders often harbor a mix of toothpaste residue, water, and bacteria, creating an ideal breeding ground for germs,” he says.

In order to keep this area clean, Veran suggests regularly rinsing the holder under hot water as soon as you notice the bottom is looking grim. As needed, give the holder a deeper disinfecting soak—maybe every other week or once a month, depending on how dirty the holder gets.