Toss It or Wash It: 40 Household Items That Love to Harbor Bacteria

Our homes are filled with items that have the potential to harbor bacteria. We've highlighted some of the most common offenders so that you can replace or clean them on a regular basis.

Keep your razor in the shower? Big mistake. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, you should dry out your razor completely from shave to shave to prevent bacteria from growing on it. Even when stored in a dry area, razors don’t have a long shelf life. The AAD recommends throwing away disposable razors after five to seven shaves.

How many times do you use a towel before tossing it in the laundry? By keeping a towel on a hook in the bathroom, it gets wet every time someone uses the shower or bath. And when a cloth item stays wet, that can create mildew. Make sure to wash bath towels frequently with hot water, and if you still detect that mildew smell after washing, it’s time to toss and replace.

The same goes for hand towels, dish towels and washcloths. These items should be washed frequently with hot water. If your towels are white, you can add a cap full of bleach to the wash, too.