Brits warned of household item that is a ‘bacteria breeding ground’

This household item is overlooked by Brits when cleaning but it could be harbouring bacteria and mould.

It’s one of the smallest items to clean in your home and that is why it is often forgotten about.

Experts at London rubbish removal company Clear it Waste have compiled a list of overlooked items that should definitely be on your cleaning rotation this winter.

The most easily overlooked item is your toothbrush holder – while you might think it’s harmless if you forget to clean this, experts say otherwise.

The water pooling in a small confined space, combined with the damp environment of a bathroom in winter, means toothbrush holders are a breeding ground for bacteria and mould.

Considering that this pool of germs is just a jump away from the toothbrush head that you use to clean inside your mouth, it should be on the top of everyone’s cleaning list.

To clean your toothbrush holder, start by letting it soak in a sink full of hot, soapy water, and then give it a thorough scrub to remove any dirt and grime.

As an additional measure, you can sanitise inside with a bleach or vinegar solution, just to be sure to rinse with hot water thoroughly afterwards.

But this isn’t the only item people are forgetting to clean – the washing machine is another often ignored cleaning job which could leave your clothes smelling damp if you don’t clean it.

With many places for mould to grow, keeping your machine clean through winter is crucial.

Utilising your machine’s self-cleaning cycle is a great way to start, and will often tackle a lot of the build up in the drum of the machine.

For the seal around the door, where mould and odours often love to hide, a solution of bleach and dish soap as well as an old rag or tooth brush, paired with some elbow grease, is the best way to go.

One final area Brits are commonly giving a miss when it comes to cleaning is shower heads.

Unclean shower heads aren’t just unsightly; they are a breeding ground for bacteria and mould in the winter months, when bathrooms are prone to lingering dampness.

But it’s an easy job to do – once you have detached the shower head from the hose or arm, the trick is to submerge it in a sandwich bag filled with white vinegar and leave it to soak for 30 or more minutes.

Then, give it a scrub with an old toothbrush to remove all the loosened debris, and give each part a very thorough rinse.

By cleaning these three items in your home, you’ll be able to keep your home bacteria free.