7 Everyday Items You Shouldn’t Bring Into Your Home (But If You Do, Sanitize Them!)
We go about our day touching countless surfaces, picking up germs, bacteria, and other contaminants without even realizing it. But some items are far worse than others when it comes to bringing unwanted germs into your home. Here are seven everyday items that are best left at the door—or, if they must come inside, should be sanitized to keep your home as germ-free as possible.
1. Shoes
Your shoes go everywhere—sidewalks, restrooms, public transportation, and more. They collect bacteria, dirt, and even viruses along the way. In fact, studies have found that the soles of shoes can carry thousands of bacteria per square inch, including harmful pathogens like E. coli. Wearing shoes indoors can transfer those germs onto floors, carpets, and even furniture, creating a hidden health hazard. The best way to prevent this? Establish a habit of removing shoes at the door and storing them in a designated area outside of your main living space.
2. Backpacks & Handbags
Whether slung over a chair in a coffee shop, set on a bathroom floor, or tossed onto the backseat of a car, backpacks and handbags collect germs everywhere they go. Researchers have found that handbags can carry more bacteria than a typical toilet seat, thanks to repeated handling and exposure to various surfaces. Because these bags are constantly coming into contact with hands, clothing, and even food, they can quickly spread germs throughout your home. Make it a habit to wipe down bags frequently and avoid placing them on kitchen counters or dining tables.
3. Tablets & Laptops
We take our tablets and laptops everywhere—airports, restaurants, office spaces—and rarely think about how often we touch them. Studies show that keyboards can harbor hundreds of times more bacteria than a toilet seat, making them one of the dirtiest everyday items. Because we use these devices near our faces and hands, bacteria can easily transfer to our skin and even make us sick. To minimize the risk, regularly clean your screens and keyboards with disinfecting wipes and wash your hands before and after using them.
4. Water Bottles & Travel Mugs
Reusable drink containers are great for reducing waste, but they can also be a hotspot for bacteria buildup. The lids, straws, and mouthpieces of water bottles and travel mugs often collect moisture, which creates the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. If not properly cleaned, these germs can enter your body with every sip, increasing the risk of illness. While washing with soap and water helps, deep sanitization is key to ensuring your drinkware stays as clean as possible.
5. Remote Controls & Game Controllers
Remote controls and game controllers are handled by multiple people every day, making them some of the most germ-ridden objects in any home. They often get dropped on floors, stuffed between couch cushions, and rarely (if ever) cleaned. Dust, food particles, and bacteria accumulate over time, creating a breeding ground for germs. If someone in your household is sick, these devices can easily spread illness to others. Regularly wiping down remotes and controllers with a disinfectant is essential to maintaining a healthier home environment.
6. Kids’ Toys
Children’s toys get dragged across floors, shared with friends, and often end up in little mouths, making them a major carrier of germs. Stuffed animals, plastic figures, and building blocks can accumulate bacteria over time, especially if taken to daycare, school, or playdates. Even if a toy looks clean, it can still harbor unseen germs that pose a risk to young children with developing immune systems. Parents should regularly clean and disinfect toys to prevent the spread of illness.
7. Gym Equipment & Yoga Mats
Gym equipment and yoga mats pick up sweat, bacteria, and germs from shared surfaces at the gym or outdoors. Free weights, resistance bands, and exercise mats are frequently touched but not always cleaned as often as they should be. Even at home, sweat and dirt can build up on workout gear, leading to potential skin infections or cross-contamination in your living space. A consistent cleaning routine is essential to keeping workout equipment safe for regular use.
If You Do Bring These Items Home… Sanitize Them!
Thrift store finds, second-hand treasures, and even everyday essentials can carry germs that you don’t want spreading in your home. That’s where HomeSoap comes in. Using powerful UV-C light, HomeSoap eliminates 99.99% of bacteria and viruses on a wide variety of household items—from tablets and toys to water bottles and gym gear.
Don’t let germs tag along—sanitize your everyday items the easy way!
