Contrary to popular belief, the “germiest” room in your house is not the bathroom; it’s the kitchen.

Your kitchen drain, sponges and counter tops, are likely to harbor the most bacteria, according to a study by the Hygiene Council.

Wiping counters or dishes with a dirty sponge, and washing dishes or vegetables in a dirty sink can easily transfer bacteria.

So can cutting boards. Use one for cutting fruits and vegetables, another for fish and the third one for other meat products. Plastic or wood? It doesn’t matter as long as you wash your cutting boards with hot water after each use.

Kill kitchen bacteria by washing your sponges in the dishwasher, or in boiling water for a few minutes. Wash dish towels at least one a week, and give them a place to easily dry completely after each use.

Clean handles on your faucets, refrigerator door and cabinets, but think twice about anti-bacterial cleaning products.

The antimicrobial ingredient triclosan is intended to kill germs on contact, yet some research suggests that wide-scale application of triclosan promotes the evolution of drug-resistant strains of bacteria.

Hot water and dry surfaces are an effective combination to help keep bacteria away.