Do you find yourself wondering when you should replace certain items around the house? If you are concern over home hygiene, then it's high time you get informed because neglecting to toss those items out can cause your home to become infested with germs! According to BBC News UK, the Hygiene Council found many people fail to wash their hands after using the toilet, before preparing food or after coughing and sneezing. As a result, people are more likely to encounter germs in their homes than in public places. Public toilets are said to be often cleaner than home kitchen surfaces. It's an alarming thought, isn't it?

Besides making sure you wash your hands, below are more tips to eliminate the chance of your home becoming a germs infested area.

Air Filters: Your air conditioning filter accumulates dirt and dust. Those airborne contaminants are an allergy and asthma sufferer's worst enemies and may be responsible for recurrent illness. Change disposable filters monthly, or wash reusable filters in hot soapy water and air dry before replacing.

Cutting Board: Soap and water will effectively kill the bacteria on a cutting board surface. Try a scrubby brush for nicks and crannies. Keep a separate vegetable and meat board, and replace wood boards when they're fairly nicked up. Once plastic and wooden boards are cut up, even a thorough cleaning won't eliminate all germs deep down. Do not skimp on buying chopping boards for they are one of the top breeding grounds for germs.

Toothbrushes: Worn or fractured bristles harbour germs that can be transferred right back into your teeth and gums. Let your toothbrush air dry in the upright position to keep fungus from flourishing. Toothbrushes should be kept an inch apart from one another so as not to trade germs and also kept away from the toilet. Bacteria from the toilet become airborne from every flush, so your best bet is to close the lid first. Rinse your brush periodically in a disinfecting mouthwash, and replace it every three months or after a cold or illness.

Kitchen Sponges: Kitchen sponges are a breeding ground for germs! Wash them nightly in the dishwasher or alternatively you can microwave the sponge until steam starts to rise (about 30 seconds) to disinfect. Be careful when you do this because you don't want to cause a fire. So, don't get distracted when you clean your sponge; stay there the entire time. Replace your sponges every week or two or risk spreading bacteria all over your kitchen - the dirtiest room in the house.

Towels: Reusing bath towels several times conserves energy, but launder in hot water after two uses. The humidity of the bathroom from your hot showers keeps your towels moist - a perfect place to harbour bacteria. Change bathroom and kitchen hand towels weekly.

Pillows: The National Library of Medicine recommends replacing pillows every three years, since pillows collect dander and body oils making them a breeding ground for dust mites, which is a major cause of allergies and upper respiratory infections.

Cleaning them is nearly impossible since fibres break down, mat up and, over time, won't offer neck and head support. Wash your pillowcases at least once a week to keep your skin clean and clear.

Putting all the above tips into practice, you can now be rest assure that your house is more hygienic than before!