Most people are overlooking cleaning one common area of the toilet, according to a professional cleaner – and it takes seconds
Most people are overlooking cleaning one common area of the toilet, according to a professional cleaner – and it takes seconds
Katherine McPhillips and Ellen Jenne Senior U35 Spare Time Writer
07:42, 10 Feb 2026Updated 07:43, 10 Feb 2026
Toilets rank among the germiest spots in any household, with bacteria accumulating rapidly – but surprisingly, it’s not the bowl that requires the most attention. While the inside of a toilet harbours germs and limescale, regular weekly scrubbing by most families keeps it reasonably sanitary.
Katie Stepp, who runs Katie’s Cleaning Service, has issued a warning that many people are missing a crucial step in their toilet cleaning routine – the handle. She said: “The toilet exterior is often overlooked, yet it collects a lot of germs and dust. Neglecting to clean the tank, handle, and base can lead to bacteria build-up.”
Despite harbouring more bacteria than either the seat or bowl, toilet handles frequently escape notice during cleaning sessions simply because they don’t appear visibly dirty, reports the Express.
Yet these fixtures encounter numerous germs throughout the day, being touched repeatedly by unwashed hands.
The toilet’s entire exterior surface, handle included, can also become contaminated when flushing occurs with the lid raised.
Over time, these germs multiply and migrate to other bathroom surfaces via dust particles and moisture, making weekly exterior cleaning essential.
Wiping down the toilet handle takes mere seconds, but remembering this often-forgotten step when tackling bathroom cleaning is vital for maintaining proper hygiene standards.
When tackling toilet surfaces, it’s crucial to regularly replace your sponges, cloths or wipes, as failing to do so simply redistributes germs across different areas.
Katie said: “Using the same cloth to clean multiple surfaces can spread bacteria from one area to another.
“For example, wiping the toilet bowl and using the same cloth on the handle or seat can contaminate these areas.”
Make certain you’re switching your cleaning materials when moving between different toilet surfaces, and consider colour-coding your cloths to prevent cross-contamination.
Another common blunder is applying excessive amounts of bleach or other harsh chemical products, under the mistaken belief this will achieve better results and eliminate more germs.
Yet using too much cleaner doesn’t actually destroy additional bacteria. Instead, you’re potentially damaging the toilet’s porcelain finish, while the powerful fumes pose health risks within the confined environment of a bathroom.
For a thorough toilet clean, allow bleach to work for the duration specified on the product label, though you might prefer opting for a more natural alternative such as hydrogen peroxide.
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