Target these high touch surfaces to reduce your family’s risk of contracting viruses that spread through contaminated surfaces.

Picture this: You just finished washing your hands, only to grab your phone to check a message. In that instant, you’ve picked up whatever germs were lingering on the screen, and studies show there are often a lot of germs on your phone.

Cold, flu, and stomach bugs spread easily when people touch contaminated surfaces and then touch their faces. Phones are a major culprit, since people often handle them many times during the day without thinking. Other touchpoints and objects in your home can also harbor germs. Sometimes they survive on these hard surfaces for days.

While cleaning removes visible dirt and grime, disinfecting kills most germs. For true disinfection to prevent the spread of illness, use a product registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

We’ve partnered with Lysol to help you figure out where to focus your efforts.

Let’s go over some of the most germ-ridden spots in the home and how to tackle them to clear illness-causing pathogens.

1. Doorknobs and handles

Doorknobs collect germs from everyone’s hands who enters or leaves the room, making them perfect transfer points for the various viruses that can cause a cold or the flu.

Use an EPA-approved disinfectant or a diluted bleach solution, and let it sit for the contact time specified on the label, which is usually 30 seconds to several minutes. Target frequently used doors, such as bathrooms and kitchens, daily, and less-used rooms weekly. Don’t forget cabinet handles, drawer pulls, and closet knobs since they get touched just as often but are easy to overlook.

Disinfecting made easy

Lysol Disinfectant Spray

Disinfectant sprays are another simple tool you can use to help keep germs from spreading at home. Spray them on these germ hotspots during your cleaning routine.

Lysol Disinfectant Spray is a household product that can both disinfect and sanitize hard, nonporous contact surfaces as well as soft surfaces. The spray kills 99.9% of illness-causing germs, including cold and flu viruses.*


*when used as directed
*not recommended on brass, copper, or aluminum surfaces

2. Light switches

Think about how many times you flip light switches each day. Everyone in your household touches these surfaces, often with unwashed hands.

To disinfect, turn off the power if you’re worried about moisture getting into the switch, then use disinfecting wipes or spray a cloth with disinfectant. Never spray directly onto electrical components. Clean them daily in high traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and main living spaces. Don’t just focus on the switch itself, but also clean around the switch plate, since people often also touch that area.

3. TV remotes and game controllers

These devices are constantly passed around but rarely get cleaned. There are also various buttons and crevices where germs can hide.

To get rid of sneaky pathogens, remove the batteries first to prevent damage, then use disinfecting wipes or a cloth dampened with disinfectant. For buttons and crevices, use cotton swabs dipped in disinfectant. Clean remotes and controllers weekly, or daily when someone in the house is sick.

Consider assigning each family member their own remote or using the controls for them during illness outbreaks to prevent the spread of germs.

4. Smartphones, tablets, keyboards

Your phone likely accompanies you everywhere, picking up germs along the way. Studies show cell phones can harbor more bacteria than toilet seats.

Before disinfecting, check the manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations for your device. Most newer phones can handle 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes. For keyboards, turn them upside down and shake gently. Then, wipe the keys with disinfectant, using cotton swabs dabbed with disinfectant for tight areas. Clean phones daily and shared tablets or keyboards weekly. And don’t forget your phone case — it often harbors more germs than the phone itself.

5. Kitchen appliance doors and buttons

Refrigerator handles, microwave buttons, and coffee maker controls are often touched by multiple people, particularly while preparing food or immediately before eating or drinking. This creates the perfect opportunity for germs to come into contact with your mouth.

Use food-safe disinfectants in areas where you prepare food. Wipe handles and buttons with disinfecting wipes or spray disinfectant on a cloth. Clean these daily, especially during meal-prep times. The dishwasher handle is one of the germiest spots in the kitchen, so be sure not to skip it in your routine.

6. Bathroom faucets and toilet handles

These surfaces often come into contact with germs, and people often touch them before properly washing their hands.

Use bathroom-specific disinfectants that can handle soap scum and hard water deposits, and let the product sit for the full contact time for maximum germ-killing action. Wipe these down daily, or twice daily in heavily used bathrooms. Don’t forget the toilet seat, toilet paper holder, and towel bars.

7. Kitchen sponges and dishcloths

These cleaning tools stay damp, creating a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. A dirty sponge can actually spread more germs than it removes.

Replace kitchen sponges weekly and launder dishcloths in hot water with bleach or run them through the dishwasher. You can also microwave damp sponges for 1 minute to kill germs. Replace or thoroughly disinfect these every few days. Use separate sponges for different tasks, like one for dishes and another for counters, to prevent cross-contamination.

8. Shared towels and bathroom mats

Damp towels and mats provide ideal conditions for germs and fungi to multiply. When family members share towels, they could easily be sharing germs. Wash these in hot water with regular detergent, adding bleach for white items or color-safe bleach for colored fabrics. Wash bath towels after three to four uses, hand towels every 1 to 2 days, and bathroom mats weekly. Hang towels so they can dry completely between uses and avoid leaving them bunched up and damp.

9. Pet bowls and toys

Pet bowls can harbor harmful bacteria, like Salmonella and E. coli. Pet toys get slobbered on and then touched by family members.

Wash pet bowls daily in hot, soapy water or run them through the dishwasher. For toys, use pet-safe disinfectants or wash fabric toys in hot water. Clean food and water bowls daily, and toys weekly or when visibly dirty. Stainless steel and ceramic bowls are easier to disinfect thoroughly than plastic ones, which can develop scratches that harbor bacteria.

10. Stair banisters and railings

At some point, everyone in your family grabs the railing for support, especially kids and elderly family members. These surfaces run the entire length of the stairs, providing a large surface area for germs to hang out.

Use disinfecting wipes or spray disinfectant on a cloth, working your way from top to bottom to avoid re-contaminating cleaned areas. Clean these weekly, or more often during illness outbreaks. Pay extra attention to places where the railing curves or has decorative elements, as these spots are most frequently gripped and can trap germs in crevices.

Disinfecting high touch surfaces is most effective when combined with other germ-fighting habits. Here’s what to do to keep your home germ-free:

  • Wash your hands regularly: Hand washing is still your best defense. Wash for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water, especially after coming home, before eating, and after using the bathroom.
  • Establish a nightly routine: Spend 5 to 10 minutes each evening wiping down the day’s hotspots. Focus on kitchen counters, bathroom faucets, and any other frequently used surfaces.
  • Don’t touch your face: Your hands pick up germs throughout the day. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth unless you’ve just washed your hands.
  • Replace cleaning items regularly: Sponges, dishcloths, and cleaning rags can harbor germs even after use. Replace or thoroughly disinfect them frequently.
  • Time your cleaning right: Disinfect high touch surfaces after family members return home from work, school, or public places. This helps prevent germs from spreading through your home.

Remember that cleaning removes visible dirt, but disinfecting actually kills the germs and reduces their numbers. You don’t need to disinfect every surface in your house daily, but focusing on these high touch hotspots can significantly reduce your family’s exposure to germs.

The key is to be consistent and spend a few minutes of targeted disinfecting each day, rather than relying on an occasional deep-cleaning marathon. By incorporating disinfection into your routine, you can break the chain of transmission and help keep your family healthier.