Spring cleaning revisited: 7 things you should clean right now

The arrival of spring means more than just nice weather and the promise of summer. It’s also a reminder to clean the things you’ve been neglecting all winter. Here are seven things you should clean right now — and how to do it.

• Your keys. You take them everywhere with you and handle them frequently, but when was the last time you cleaned them? Grab a wet wipe and give your keys a thorough wipe down to prevent bacteria growth.

• Water bottle. We’re all guilty of neglecting this essential college item. We want to be eco-friendly by bringing our own reusable water bottles, but we might also be too germ-friendly in the process. A Canadian study found that students’ water bottles can become coated with coliform bacteria, and in some cases can be unfit to drink by federal government standards. A good ol’ soap and hot water cleaning should keep you hydrated and healthy.
• Earbuds. All it takes is an hour of listening to music for your headphones to become covered in bacteria from your ears, according to the Naval Medical Research Institute.  Clean off that earwax by detaching the rubber heads from your earbuds and soaking them in vinegar and water for 15 minutes, then 10 minutes in plain water.

• Kitchen sponge. Bleach is the best way to sanitize a kitchen sponge, but there’s an easier way. Good Housekeeping suggests microwaving your sponge, which will zap 99.9 percent of germs. Remember to completely replace your sponge every month or two as well.

• Bed pillows. In addition to your pillowcase, you should wash your bed pillows at least twice a year. Be sure to check your pillow’s label for instructions. Most down and fiberfilled pillows can be machine washed, but not foam pillows.

• Your phone. Your phone goes with you everywhere. Everywhere. Studies have shown that your smartphone’s screen can carry 10 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. For best cleaning results, you need a specialized anti-bacterial wipe made for smartphones.
• Keyboard: Dust, grime and germs can collect on your computer’s keyboard. Grab a disinfecting wipe and give the keyboard a thorough scrub down every couple months. Consider purchasing a compressed air can to remove dirt and particles from hard to reach areas.