Door handles, light switches, and cabinet pulls are touched dozens of times per day by everyone in the household — including immediately after using the bathroom, handling raw food, and arriving from outside. They are among the most bacteria-laden surfaces in a home and among the least frequently cleaned.
Disinfecting Door Handles
- Use a disinfecting wipe, or dampen a cloth with 70% isopropyl alcohol or a diluted bleach solution (1 tablespoon bleach per litre of water)
- Wipe all surfaces of the handle — the grip, the rose plate, the thumb latch, and the back plate on the other side of the door
- Allow to air dry rather than wiping dry — most disinfectants need 30–60 seconds of wet contact time to be effective
Light Switches and Outlet Plates
- Use a cloth dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol — do not spray liquid directly onto switches, which can get inside the electrical components
- Wipe the entire switch plate, paying attention to the area around the switch itself where finger contact is concentrated
- Wipe dry to prevent moisture near electrical components
Surface Considerations
- Chrome and stainless steel handles: Tolerate most disinfectants well — alcohol, diluted bleach, and commercial wipes are all safe
- Brass and bronze: Avoid bleach and harsh acids — use 70% alcohol or mild soap and water; bleach can damage the finish over time
- Painted surfaces: Avoid bleach — diluted dish soap or alcohol is safe
- Coated (matte black, brushed gold): Use alcohol wipes or mild soap — avoid abrasive cloths that scratch coatings
How Often
- Sanitize high-traffic handles (front door, bathroom, kitchen) weekly as part of your regular cleaning routine
- Sanitize after any household illness, before and after guests, and after handling raw meat
- Include all cabinet pulls in the kitchen and bathroom in your regular wipe-down — they accumulate cooking residue and hand contact equally