This Is How Often You Should Clean Your House, According to Science

The sink - once a week

Bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli in your sink can be a breeding ground for contamination and sickness. Even if your sink looks clean, microbiologist Lisa Yakas says you should be giving your kitchen sink a good wipe down with a disinfectant at least once a week, and if you're working with raw meat, it should be cleaned immediately after.

Bathroom – once a week

Tetro explains that bacteria powerhouse, E. coli can be found within six feet of the toilet and sink – so basically in every corner of the bathroom. If you regularly disinfect your bathroom then you're fine, but if you've been a bit slack, this is your wake-up call! Also, if you have a shower curtain, research says that needs to get a once-over weekly as well to avoid possible skin, eye and throat irritation.

Door handles – once a week

Something the majority of us tend to neglect when it comes to cleaning our homes is door handles and knobs.

The good news is that door handles and knobs don't need to be cleaned too often, with a quick once-over weekly sufficient to remove harmful bacteria. Pay special attention to doors in the bathroom and kitchen, and ramp up the cleaning routine if someone is or has been sick in the house.

Oven – once a month

Regular cleaning keeps your oven in good condition and helps prevent the accumulation of burnt residues and unpleasant odours.

The experts in the kitchen lab at CHOICE, recommend giving your oven your oven a thorough clean every month. If you're an avid cook, you may need to clean it more regularly, and if you rarely use your oven or only for light cooking, you may only need to clean it every three to six months.

Dishwasher – once a month

It might seem odd to clean something that is cleaning other things, but your dishwasher really does need to be attended to. In a medically reviewed article on WebMD it's recommended that month, you toss in a cup of baking soda on the bottom and set 1/2 cup of white vinegar in the top rack; then run a regular cycle.