Overlooking This Germy Spot When Cleaning The Toilet Is A Big Mistake

While deep cleaning the bathroom is often dreaded and put off, unfortunately, it is a necessity. Though we may grab our arsenal of cleaning tools, including disinfectant spray and rubber gloves, and diligently scrub toilet bowls, faucets, and floors, there is one crucial area that often gets overlooked. The toilet handle or flush button can be easy to forget to clean, yet it can harbor a lot of germs so needs to be included in every bathroom cleaning session.

Unlike the toilet bowl, which we know needs a regular deep clean and is also constantly in our field of view, the handle or button is unassuming, small, and practically invisible unless we need it. It is partly this out-of-sight-out-of-mind factor that makes it easy to forget about its cleanliness. The smooth, hard surface of the handle or button might also give a false sense of cleanliness though it is the one place that gets touched most often with dirty hands, and that alone is reason enough to not be neglected in our cleaning routine.

One of the reasons your toilet handle or flush button needs regular cleaning is a bit of a no-brainer. While how often you clean your toilet can be highly individual, this is the one place in the bathroom that gets touched countless times a day by hands that have just handled various objects, potentially carrying germs and bacteria. This makes it a prime location for germs and bacteria to accumulate, especially when you consider all the hands that touch it, including family members, roommates, and guests, potentially transferring viruses, cold germs, and other pathogens.

Keep in mind, that it is unlikely that you will get sick from pathogens in a bathroom if you have a normal, healthy immune system. Still, regularly cleaning these surfaces helps prevent the spread of germs and reduces the risk of illness, especially for vulnerable individuals like children or the elderly. From a purely functional perspective, regular cleaning also helps prevent grime buildup and potential wear and tear, prolonging the lifespan of the handle.

Sometimes, it is the easiest way to do something that works best. A quick cleaning with a disinfectant wipe or disinfectant spray is a simple and effective way to keep the handle or button clean and sanitized. You can certainly use a disinfectant wipe after each flush or bathroom use as this can be one of the things in your home you should be cleaning daily. When using disinfectant wipes or cloths to clean the other parts of your toilet, such as the inside and outside of the lid, dispose of them after their use. Make sure you use a new wipe or cloth before you clean the handle or flush button. The last thing you want to do is to allow any germs from the lid to travel to the handle.

For a deeper clean, use a microfiber cloth dampened with a disinfectant solution. Once clean, you can either let the handle air dry or give the handle five minutes to let the disinfectant spray set in before drying it. If your toilet has separate flush buttons, remember to clean them both individually with the same approach. Use the wipe to clean the nooks and crannies that are often found on flush buttons.