We are all striving to be greener, healthier, faster, stronger, etc. However, while we have been tackling many of the bigger hurdles like: buying more organic foods and recycling, we have not been paying attention to the little things. Some of our most common routines are full of hidden germs, and we simply dont think about it. Here are five common, day-to-day dirty activities that we need to be more aware of.

1. Bag Full of Dirty Tricks

The recyclable bags we use for groceries, so that we will stay away from paper and plastic and inevitably help the environment, come with their own price. There you are, in line at Whole Foods, feeling fabulous with you organic chicken and green save the world tote, and there you are again the next week with a bunch of produce just sitting in the nasty germs left from the raw chicken the week before. Dont be a victim of this oversight. The best thing to do is wash your tote with the laundry. If you tend to go to the grocery more than once a week try separating your bags, a few specifically for meat and poultry and another for produce and other goods.

2. Germs Gone Mobile

Theres an app for that and it is called sanitizing wipes. Your cell phone carries more germs than the flush handle on a toilet, and we have them in our hands constantly and more importantly while we are handling food. While you are texting a friend at lunch and then pick up your sandwich, millions of germs are being transported into your body. If you are going to manage your phone while cooking or eating, carry a travel pack of sanitizing wipes with you to help keep you from spreading the germs.

3. A Germ In Clean Clothing

Oh the life of a sponge, it is short. Bacteria literally eats away at a sponge. Notice the holes of the back of your sponge, after a couple of washes, if you notice that the holes are considerable bigger then it is time to throw it out. When we continue to use the same sponge for several washes, we might as well just not wash the dishes at all, honestly we would probably be better off. An old sponge carries Salmonella, and E. Coli, among other bacteria. You should usually dispose of your sponge after about two weeks depending on how often you use it, and to help keep germs at bay during this time: soak the sponge in bleach for 2 to 3 minutes after each use.

4. Bacteria To Go

Fast food is a fast way to eat after your kids soccer game and a fast way for your child to pick up a lot of bacteria. When you go through the drive-through and eat in the car on the way home, you have not been able to wash your hands before eating, which is very similar to the issue with the cell phone, you are putting it right into your body. The best solution for this is to carry liquid hand sanitizer and apply before eating.

5. The Raw And Meaty Truth

When preparing meat, most know that there are a few things you need to do to prevent the spread of Salmonella and E. Coli, such as: wiping down the counters, washing hands, etc. This is another reason to have sanitizing wipes, so you can wipe down everything that you may have unknowingly come in contact with: the handle on the oven, the microwave door, the sink spout, and the bottle of liquid soap. These are not thing we usually think about. The best way to do this is to be extremely conscious of what you are handling while preparing the meat or poultry.