After moving to a bigger room in my apartment recently, I have sadly become an even worse slob than I was as a child — and I can hear my mom gasping hundreds of miles away, because I was already pretty awful.
But the experience has opened my eyes and made me determined to at least try to get rid of the clutter and dust-filled environment for good. To help motivate myself, and anyone who might be struggling with the same bad habits, I decided to look into what is really lurking around us while we sleep.
It’s supposed to be our safe space, after all, but ignoring these germ magnets could actually be putting our health at risk. After seeing these nine hiding spots for germs, you’ll probably want to give your own bedroom a good scrub, or get rid of some of these for a fresh new start.
Did we miss any notorious hiding spots for ickiness? Let us know in the comments and SHARE with your friends!
Thumbnail sources: Girl In Your World, SERVPRO
1. Old Books
I know it can be difficult for book-lovers to say goodbye to their favorite stories, so I'm not saying you need to get rid of the whole stack. However, if you have tons of piles lying around, they're just going to gather up bacteria, dust, and mites, on top of making your room cluttered.
So wipe them down or pass them along to a friend!
2. Pajamas
I've been guilty of wearing my own pajamas for months at a time, but even after just a few wears, you've already shed tons of skin cells and sweat all over the comfy clothes. Mix things up more often with plenty of options.
3. Ancient Makeup
Your makeup bag is the perfect warm breeding ground for nasty bacteria, which you could be swiping right onto your vulnerable face. Make sure to check through the items regularly and toss the ones that are way past their prime.
4. Shoe Piles
Just think back on all the places those shoes have been walking in a single day alone, and what they've probably picked up along the way. It's best to keep them outside your home, maybe in the garage, or to at least designate an area outside of the bedroom.
5. Wall-To-Wall Carpets
Studies show there could be a whopping 200,000 bacteria per square inch hiding in those fibers, so if you can't invest in some nice hardwood, be sure to vacuum or shampoo frequently.
6. TV Remotes
For those who like falling asleep to the sounds of sitcoms, make sure you're also wiping off the remote a few times a week. Otherwise, you're sweet dreams will turn into germ-filled nightmares.
7. Curtains
The moisture from outside seeps in and gets soaked up — not to mention all the dust flying around that settles on top — for a mega-dose of nasty mold and bacteria. Vacuum or wash these regularly in extremely hot water.
8. Purses
Putting them on the bed, or on any surface for that matter, is a big no-no after spending a day with you in public restrooms, in restaurants, or on buses. Installing a handy hook can fix this problem easily.
9. Pets
I hate to say it, but your little fuzzballs might also be spreading viruses and other pests when they snuggle with you at night, so you might want to consider setting some boundaries with your critter.
Did we miss a spot we should always be checking in our bedrooms? Tell us in the comments below and please SHARE with your friends!
