| Like most people nowadays, you probably worry | | | | optician first if you have coated lenses. Some of |
| about germs and carry hand sanitizer with you. | | | | them need a special cleaner.) |
| And most of us would say we're pretty good | | | | 4. Watches. |
| about keeping ourselves and our environment | | | | The back of your watch face and band pick up |
| clean. All those commercials about antibacterial | | | | skin oil and dirt. If it's a metal band, clean it gently |
| wipes and cleaners have most people convinced | | | | with a non-abrasive cloth and jewelry cleaner |
| that they'll get some dread disease from their | | | | that's safe for metals. If it's a leather band, use a |
| counters or poison their family if they don't use | | | | vegetable-based soap or saddle soap. For plastic |
| them. It's not true, but it's scary.The irony is, I'd | | | | bands, dish detergent and water are fine. |
| be willing to bet that there are several very dirty | | | | 5. Car Door Opener. |
| objects that you and your family touch everyday, | | | | Most of us use one of those plastic key fob door |
| without even being aware of it. | | | | openers. One tap of our thumb and the lights |
| 1. Earrings. | | | | flash, the horn beeps and the car is locked. Of |
| Do you have pierced ears? Do you wear posts? | | | | course, our thumbs also deposit oil and dirt on the |
| Do you take them out everyday and clean them | | | | fob and how often do we really look at the thing? |
| with peroxide? If, like many women, you wear | | | | Like many items that we use several times a |
| the same post earrings for long periods of time, | | | | day, key fobs don't really register on our "dirt" |
| take them out right now and look at them. | | | | radar. They're so much a part of our lives that |
| Chances are, they're covered with skin oil, | | | | we just don't notice them anymore. Swipe yours |
| cosmetics, shampoo, soap and unidentifiable gunk. | | | | with a cloth dampened with a gentle cleaner or a |
| Soak them in some peroxide while you read the | | | | wet wipe, but make sure you don't get liquid |
| rest of this article. | | | | inside it. |
| 2. Rings. | | | | 6. Cosmetic bottles. |
| While we're on the subject of jewelry, check out | | | | They're not technically fashion accessories, but |
| your rings. Look at the area around the prongs | | | | you probably use them everyday. They're the |
| and anywhere there's an opening. Again, most | | | | pump or spray bottles on your dresser or your |
| rings that are worn daily have a residue of skin oil, | | | | bathroom vanity and they're usually covered with |
| cosmetics and dirt that builds up in spite of the | | | | a film of product that attracts dust. Wipe them |
| many times you put your hands in water | | | | with a damp cloth once a week or so and don't |
| everyday. How this fails to wash off is a | | | | forget the cosmetics in your purse. Compacts, |
| mystery, but it doesn't. However, inexpensive | | | | lipsticks and other cosmetic containers pick up all |
| jewelry cleaner can clean rings, earrings and | | | | kinds of residue, which is why it's a good idea to |
| bracelets too, for that matter. | | | | keep them in a little plastic cosmetic purse you |
| 3. Eyeglasses. | | | | can wash once in awhile. |
| Wear glasses? Clean them with that spray | | | | Routine maintenance of all these little overlooked |
| cleaner? Look at the hinge areas and in between | | | | things doesn't take all that long. You can do it |
| the lenses and the frames. Nose pieces are very | | | | every Saturday morning or in a few minutes, one |
| hard to clean without soaking and quick to | | | | evening a week before you go to bed. Not only |
| accumulate grime. This is why just spraying them | | | | will you cut down on germs, you'll prevent the |
| with lens cleaner won't keep them clean. At least | | | | embarrassment of having someone else notice |
| once a week, you should soak them in mild dish | | | | your dirty little secret before you do. |
| detergent and water. (Warning! Check with your | | | | |