6 Filthy-Dirty Places in Your Kitchen You Should Never Forget to Clean

Problem: Kitchen countertops are on the top of the dirty list for good reason: they receive the most amount of contact day after day. Think about it. We prepare all of our meals on the countertops, place our grocery bags (and possibly purses, laptop carriers, etc) on top of them, and rest our car keys and cell phones there too.

Solution: Spritzing your countertops with your favorite all-purpose cleaner and wiping them down once or twice a week will guarantee a surface that is much more sanitary and germ-free.

Problem: Right behind your kitchen countertops inevitably comes the kitchen sink, another area that is prone to bacteria and other allergen build-up. Between all of the leftover wine, juice, and milk we pour into it every day along with all of our meal leftovers, it is important to remember that this space is exposed to its fair share of mess too.

Solution: Be mindful that using a dirty sponge to wipe down your sink every few days isn't helping, it is only spreading more germs about. Instead, be sure to either use a clean sponge or one paper towel sheet to wipe down the sink with a disinfectant. No more dirty sinks here!

Problem: Speaking of sponges and other cleaning brushes . . . they get dirty too! Like, really dirty. And it can be easy to forget that they need to be cleaned too. The last thing you want is to use a germ-infested sponge to "clean" the rest of your kitchen. This is only making your mess ten times worse!

Solution: Every couple of days, pop your sponges on the top rack of your dishwasher to run with the rest of the load. You can even alternate so you always have a cleaning brush available should you need it. And if you have any questions, it doesn't hurt to buy a new packet of brushes or sponges to start from scratch every so often.

Problem: Refrigerator drawers might seem unassuming, but they can be one of the germiest spots in your kitchen. How many times have you had to throw out half-finished expired cheese, vegetables, or even protein? If you aren't careful, leaving old food in these drawers can start to collect bacteria and infect the space inside your drawers.

Solution: First, be sure to keep your meats seperate from your fruits and veggies and in their respective drawers. Also, every once in a while, make a point to pull each drawer out and rinse with a mild detergent and warm water. This will help to wipe any lurking germs away for good.

Problem: Those stove knobs and light switches will get you every time. When is the last time you have even thought to clean these small areas of your kitchen!? For us, at least, it's been a while. If you are an avid chef always preparing meals for yourself and your family, you are bound to be touching those stove knobs on a pretty consistent basis, all throughout flu season no less. And if you aren't always cooking up a storm, you definitely are flicking the lights on and off every day. So it makes sense that these guys need a cleaning too every once and a while.

Solution: Keep a roll of Clorox wipes handy, and wipe your stove knobs and light switches as a part of your regular cleaning routine. You won't be sorry, especially when a bad cold is going around!

Problem: Our coffee makers are commonly forgotten when it comes to a kitchen detox, but this beloved little machine is another top hang out for germs, especially on and inside the water reservoir. Drinking possibly allergen-filled coffee is clearly a big no-no, so this small space is important to keep high up on your cleaning radar.

Solution: Kiss any lurking bacteria goodbye with a simple homemade mix of 2 cups white vinegar and 1 cup water. Run your concoction through the brew cycle twice, and you will be guaranteed germ-free!