A Germ-Zapper's Guide to Clean

Because of cross-contamination, the kitchen sink's faucet and drain, as well as the surrounding countertop and handles, are likely to be tainted and shouldn't be overlooked when disinfecting. Pat Rosenbaum, a Silver Spring-based infection control professional, says, "Stop and think when you're cleaning, 'What do we touch the most?' " She says labels should be read with care, as most detail how long the disinfectant should remain on the area for it to work.

THE KITCHEN SPONGE IS GERM KING.

Laundry

Problem:

There's no way to fold this neatly: Laundry is really, really dirty. "Your grandmother had cleaner clothes than you do," says Gerba, who attributes the slack to a waning use of hot water (only 5 percent of Americans opt for the hottest rinse) and shortened wash cycles. Viruses are especially resistant to heat, he said, and the average piece of underwear contains about 0.1 grams of feces, enough to wreak havoc if thrown into a load of clothes. In fact, Gerba reports that anyone transferring a load of underwear will get E. coli on his or her hands. Then cross-contamination ensues, and you've got quite a bust in the germ-fighting seam.

Solution:

To fight microbes, laundry should be washed in water that's at least 140 degrees and dried for at least 45 minutes. Keep undergarments in a separate load. It's also best to wash them last, use a detergent with bleach or a bleach alternative and occasionally give the washing machine what Gerba calls a "mouthwash" -- a rinse with bleach sans clothes. Be careful when adjusting water temperatures at home, Rosenbaum says, as hotter temperatures may be hazardous from a bath or sink spout.

Mattress/Pillow

Problem:

This isn't the stuff dreams are made of: Your mattress and pillow are"reservoirs of the zoological park that is your bedding," Tierno says, naming a long list of microscopic park visitors: dust mites, fungi, pollen,sweat, exfoliated cells, hair and dander, among others.

He points to some pretty dirty statistics: Mattresses have been found to double their weight after 10 years from this collected debris; dust mites and dust mite debris can make up 10 percent of pillows after five years. Besides evoking that creepy-crawly feeling, such litter is known for exacerbating allergies and asthma, two conditions that won't help you breathe or sleep easy.

Solution:

Impervious seals around the mattress, box springs and pillows are a quick remedy, Tierno says, and it's smart to wash bedding at least once a week. As for replacing mattresses and pillows, the seals should keep them well guarded until they are worn out.

WASH BEDDING ONCE A WEEK