Germs! You clean to get rid of them… but are you doing more contaminating than cleaning? Brillo®, worked closely with Dr. Philip M. Tierno, on a survey which ultimately revealed that not only are many of our regular cleaning habits ineffective, they may actually be making the situation worse. Are your cleaning habits putting your family at risk? Take our quiz and find out how much you really know about household germs.

1. How often do you empty the container or bag in your vacuum?   Once a month Every few months Once a year Rarely Never 2. How often do you clean and disinfect your indoor garbage can(s)? Every week Once a month Every few months Rarely Never 3. How long do you use a kitchen sponge before you throw it out? One week Two weeks One month Over a month When it falls apart or smells bad 4. Which of the following is the single most infectious source of bacteria in the home? Food such as raw meats Sponges, dishrags and scrubbers Pets The air, which carries airborne germs Touch points such as doorknobs, handles, handrails and light switches 5. Which of the following germs has the sponge been traced to? Salmonella E-coli Staphylococcus None of the above All of the above 6. Do you use the same sponge or dishrag to do all of your kitchen tasks such as cleaning dishes, countertops, cutting boards, cookware and appliances? All the time Sometimes Rarely Never 7. How often do you sanitize your toothbrush? Everyday Once a week Every 2 weeks Once a month I never sanitize my toothbrush 8. In which area of the house are germs and bacteria most likely to thrive? In the bathroom  In the kitchen In the living and bedroom area Germs thrive equally in all areas of the house