11 High-Touch Surfaces You Should Sanitise Every Day
Modern life has been keeping us so busy that we often ignore small but important things. One is touching different surfaces throughout the day. On average, a person touches 150 different surfaces every day; surfaces that have accumulated enough germs, bacteria and viruses to cause a serious health problem. They don’t just require cleaning, but they need to be sanitised and disinfected.
In public and shared spaces, like classrooms, offices, communal areas and similar environments, cleaning and sanitising high-touch surfaces every day is an essential requirement. But which are high-touch surfaces around us at home, school or office, why should we keep them sanitised regularly, and how can we sanitise them effectively?
In this article, we aim to answer these questions and list high-touch surfaces you commonly find around you as you’re going about your day.
What is a High-Touch Surface?
A high-touch surface or high-touch points refers to any surface frequently touched by several people or surfaces used by one person many times throughout the day. High-touch surfaces are not just surfaces like a desk or countertop, but they also include surfaces on any particular item, like the buttons on a microwave or a smartphone touchscreen.
We are surrounded by high-touch surfaces in homes, offices, schools, cinemas, shopping centres, hospitals and even items in our pockets. We often ignore them, but they don’t say “wash your hands when you get home” for nothing!
Why Should You Sanitise High-Touch Surfaces?
High-touch surfaces are prime locations for germs, bacteria and viruses. Being touched by many people, high-touch points accumulate germs and viruses quickly. Then, they will be spread when someone touches the surface.
Touching such surfaces may not cause harm, but when you unconsciously touch somewhere and use your hand to rub your eyes or eat a sandwich, bacteria and germs can get inside your body and cause serious health problems.
Therefore, daily cleaning and sanitising high-touch surfaces on top of maintaining personal hygiene and washing hands frequently is essential to stop the spread of diseases and prevent health problems ranging from the common cold to serious infections.
How to Sanitise High-Touch Surfaces?
Sanitising any surface may depend on the material used to cover the surface. But let’s keep it simple and easy. All you need is a clean microfibre cloth or a tea towel and a cleaning spray.
Here’s a handy list of different cleaning materials for different surfaces:
- Bleach sprays (for kitchen and toilets)
- General-purpose cleaning sprays (for desks, chairs, handrails, etc.)
- 80% Isopropyl alcohol (for any hard surface and clinical settings)
- Wet wipes or baby wipes (for most surfaces except toilets)
You can also use eco-friendly cleaning materials if you prefer green cleaning methods.
Dampen one side of the microfibre cloth with cleaning spray and start wiping the surface in a circular or 8-shaped motion. If the surface area is small, like a lift button panel, wipe from top to bottom in an 8-shape motion.
Never spray on the surface directly. Always dampen the cloth first, then wipe the surface.
Now, let’s explore common high-touch points around us.
#1 Light Switches
Light switches and wall fittings & fixtures are frequently touched by several people. They are everywhere and should be sanitised daily.
#2 Door Handles & Knobs
Door handles and door knobs are used, probably, more than anything else in an office, schools or even at home, making them a prime location for bacteria and germs.
#3 Toilet Fixtures & Fittings
Toilets and washrooms are prone to germ and bacterial accumulation. Fixtures and fittings like flush handles, taps and faucets are used frequently and require daily sanitation and disinfection.
#4 Stair Handrails
Any handrail, either on stairs, hallways or on accessibility ramps in residential estates or commercial buildings, requires daily sanitisation. They are frequently used by many people, therefore accumulating germs very quickly.
#5 Desks & Countertops
Whether it’s an office desk, kitchen countertop, retail checkout desk or school bench, they require daily sanitation and disinfection to keep bacteria and viruses away and ensure the safety of those using them.
#6 Kitchen Appliances & Fixtures
Kitchen appliances and fixtures like buttons on microwaves and coffee machines, faucets, cupboard handles, fridge handles and other similar surfaces in kitchens are frequently touched and need to be sanitised.
#7 Lift Buttons & Fixtures
Lift panels, buttons and accessibility handrails are used by several people throughout the day. Regardless the lift is in a residential estate or commercial buildings, sanitise them to stop the spread of diseases.
#8 Keyboards & Mice
Most items on a typical desk require daily sanitation. This includes computer and laptop keyboards and mice, as well as other items like headphones and display screens.
#9 Windowsills
In many premises, like schools and large open-plan offices, windowsills are considered high-touch surfaces. Therefore, you should keep them sanitised to ensure they are free from germs and bacteria.
#10 Remote Controls
TV, AC remote, projector or other remote controls at home, school or office are another prime location for germ and bacteria accumulation. You should carefully sanitise and clean them on a regular basis.
#11 Telephone Handsets & Touchscreens
Another item used frequently in any office and home is the telephone. We also use our smartphones frequently throughout the day. Therefore, both require daily sanitation. Read our guide on how to deep clean your telephone handset.
Conclusion
It’s very easy to overlook the unseen health risks around us, but high-touch surfaces remain one of the most significant contributors to the spread of germs, bacteria and viruses. From door handles and light switches to lift buttons and remote controls, these frequently touched points are hotspots for potential infection. Proper sanitisation and disinfection on a daily basis are essential to reduce the risk of illness and maintain a healthier environment.
By making the sanitising of high-touch surfaces part of your regular cleaning routine at home, in the office or shared public spaces, you are actively helping to stop the spread of diseases. Using the right cleaning products and techniques ensures these areas are hygienic, safe and germ-free for everyone.
