What would you think was the dirtiest, most germ-ridden place in your home? Chances are, you’d put your toilet pretty high up there on your list. But actually, because we focus so much of our cleaning attention on our toilets, they tend to be a lot less of a germ hotspot than other “less important” places in your home.

If you want to know the places in your home that tend to be the dirtiest, here’s what an expert has to say, based on a list compiled by BobVila.com.

1. Kitchen sponge

Kitchen sponges are often full of microscopic bacteria, which comes from the food and dirty water they retain after washing dishes. But before you start throwing out a sponge after one use, there are simple ways to clean your sponges from time to time and get rid of that nasty bacteria. The easiest solution is to put a wet sponge in the microwave and heat it on high for 2 minutes.

2. Video game controller

If you have a gamer in the house, consider just how much that video game controller is being handled. It may be handled by sweaty hands, hands that have touched food, and hands that have itched in bacteria-happy places, like the underarms. You can clean your controller using rubbing alcohol and a toothbrush to get into the crevices.

3. Coffee reservoir

Bad news for coffee lovers: mold and yeast love to grow inside your coffee maker. Make sure to properly rinse and clean out your reservoir to prevent the accumulation of the sort of bacteria that’ll make you sick.

4. Toothbrush holder

You probably avoid cleaning your toothbrush holder until you actually see mold, which is kind of horrendous when you think about it. Toothbrush holders collect moisture from your toothbrush, plus any bacteria from brushing your teeth. Soak your holder for 10 minutes in boiling water with soap to kill off the bacteria.

5. Cutting board

Cutting boards, especially wooden cutting boards, can accumulate bacteria in their splits and crevices that is difficult to wash off with a sponge. Putting a cutting board in a dishwasher isn’t enough – you need to give it a proper scrub in hot, soapy water to make it safe for use next time.

6. Cell phone

Our cell phones are one of the most handled items in our homes, so it’s no surprise that they’re also one of the dirtiest. If you can’t remember the last time you cleaned your phone (if ever), now’s the time to start. Use disinfecting wipes on the front and back screen, then wipe dry with a clean towel.

7. Stove knobs

If you’re the family chef in the kitchen, you’ll know that you always have to adjust your stove knobs at the worst time: you’ve just taken something out of the oven, you’ve got a boil-over situation, or you’re juggling multiple pans on the go. It’s no surprise that your fingers are holding onto bacteria that is transferred over to the knobs, then forgotten about when you clean the rest of your stove.

8. Purse handles

Like cell phones, if you’re a woman, your purse handles are probably up there with your most-touched item in your home. Dipping a cloth into a warm water and soap mixture, then wiping the cloth over your handles, is enough to kill off the bacteria.

9. Kitchen sink

Cleaning the kitchen sink is a big job, which is why many of us avoid it for too long. That means that bits of lingering bacteria start to build up, especially in those damp areas that the water always hits. Just because you can’t see the germs, it doesn’t mean they’re not there. To clean, coat your wet sink in baking soda, then use a sponge dipped in hot water and dish soap to scrub from top to bottom.

10. Pet bowl

Pet bowls are terribly dirty – not only can algae and mold grow in the water, but bacteria like salmonella and e-coli can thrive in a dog’s food. You should wipe down your pet bowls at least once a day, so try to make it your new habit.

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Source: Digital Trends, BobVila.com.