Cleaning and sanitizing your home is vital when you're hosting, especially the high-touch surfaces that can collect germs. These areas frequently encounter hands, making them prime spots for dirt and bacteria.

High-touch surfaces refer to the commonly used areas in your home. They tend to gather fingerprints and smudges, particularly with guests around. Applying cleaning tips before and after your event not only enhances your home's appearance but also protects the health of your loved ones.

Here are the six key high-touch surfaces to prioritize before and after your hosting duties. With this guide, you can optimize your cleaning tasks and ensure your home remains hygienic and inviting.

6 Key High-Touch Surfaces to Clean

Below is a list of six high-touch areas that need your attention when you're entertaining.

1. Door Handles and Light Switches

Door handles and light switches are among the most frequently touched items in any home and should be cleaned thoroughly.

Prior to your guests' arrival, use a disinfectant wipe or spray to clean these surfaces and get rid of germs and smudges. Don't forget to include exterior door handles, especially those your guests will use to enter your home.

After the event, revisit these areas for another cleaning session with Method Antibacterial All-Purpose Cleaner Spray from Amazon.

Rated 4.7 out of 5 by customers, these microfiber cloths are highly absorbent and easy to clean and do not damage delicate surfaces.

2. Kitchen Countertops and Appliances

Your kitchen often experiences the most foot traffic, whether you're hosting a formal dinner or casual get-togethers.

High-touch spots like your kitchen countertops, refrigerator handles, and appliance buttons can accumulate grime. Before you host, make sure to clean and sanitize these areas, ensuring no sticky spots remain. If it's holiday time, remember which appliances need deep cleaning before the festivities.

After your gathering, go back to these surfaces to clear away any spills or food remnants using an OXO Good Grips Dustpan and Brush Set from Amazon.

3. Bathroom Fixtures

Bathrooms get a lot of use during gatherings, so give them extra care, advises a cleaning expert. Ensure you clean faucet handles, toilet flush levers, and soap dispensers—key high-touch areas.

Provide disposable hand towels from Target or fresh cloth towels for guests. Stock up on soap. After the event, sanitize these fixtures again and replace any used towels to keep the bathroom fresh. Also, check for trash or clutter left behind and air out the space to eliminate lingering odors.

The Reverence Aromatique Hand Wash from Aesop contains a blend of botanical extracts and finely milled Pumice, to gently cleanse and exfoliate your hands.

4. Remote Controls and Electronics

TV remotes, smart devices, and gaming consoles become high-touch surfaces during events, especially if you're hosting a movie night or a game watch.

Use an alcohol-based solution like Honest Company Sanitizing Alcohol Wipes from Walmart or a microfiber cloth to clean these items. Ensure you spray the cloth, not the device, to avoid liquid damage.

The following day, check for leftover spills or smudges in entertaining areas, and organize cables or accessories that may have been moved.

5. Dining Table and Chairs

When hosting, it's essential to keep your dining table and chairs clean, as they'll see a lot of action.

Pay special attention to chair backs and armrests, which are often touched but easily forgotten. After your gathering, clean these surfaces again to remove any spills, preparing them for future use.

6. Decorative Items

Lastly, don't overlook decorative items and surfaces that guests may interact with, like coffee table books, trays, candles, or serving utensils.

While these may not seem like high-touch surfaces initially, guests will notice them if they aren't clean. Wipe these items down before guests arrive and again after the event, particularly if they were handled during your gathering.

Cleaning high-touch surfaces before and after hosting is a simple yet effective way to care for both your guests and your home. It goes beyond aesthetics – it creates a comfortable space for everyone to enjoy without concerns about cleanliness.

By integrating these practices into your pre-event cleaning routine, you'll keep your home inviting and healthy, ready for the next gathering.