Nothing is worse than a summer cold, especially in sticky 90 degree, mid-July heat.

Although there’s a one in four chance that you’ll catch one, it’s been said that air conditioners actually predisposes you to catching it. How? By drying out your mucus. The cold air even helps establish the viruses as they reproduce better. Additionally, colds spread in crowded, indoor areas, so you’re more likely to prevent catching one just by going to the beach.

But if you’re stuck indoors this summer, make sure to check out the 9 most germ-friendly places in your home. And by check out, we mean clean. 

1. Kitchen Sink & Counter

You’d think that just because sinks come in contact with hot water and soap, that it’s generally a clean area in the kitchen. However,  according to a recent study by NSF International, sinks are probably crawling with bacteria due to the frequent contact with food and garbage. In fact, sinks and counters are 100,000 more contaminated than the bathroom sink!

2. Coffee Maker

NSF states that the reason coffee makers are germ friendly is because of its damp, dark environment. Coffee brewers build up mildew and bacteria over time so it’s best to scrub with hot water and soap every 40-80 brews.

3. Stove

Did you know that the controls of your oven are some of the filthiest places in your home? Let’s just say it’s worse than the kitchen sink. Why? Since you often touch them when you’re hands are contaminated with food, the oven controls carry over germs from the microwave and kitchen sink combined.

4. Toothbrush Holder

The average toothbrush holder contains over 2 million bacteria cells, leaving it to be one of more germ-y areas of the house. This one isn’t that surprising actually. However, just cleaning it once or twice a week will do the job.

5. Carpets

You know that area of the carpet that doesn’t get cleaned with a vacuum, you know, the “roots”? According to  Philip Tierno, Jr., PhD, a microbiologist and immunologist at New York University Langone Medical Center, there’s about 200,000 bacteria per square inch. These species fall into the rugs (from humans) and create their own little communities at the base of your carpets. The worse part of it all is that this bacteria is quite difficult to get rid of by just vacuuming alone.

6. Pet Food Dish

According to the DogDaily.com, owners may share the same strains of E. coli bacteria with their pets. And if you’re not careful,”dogs can transmit other diseases, such as ringworm, hookworms, roundworms and campylobacteriosis, an infectious bacterial disease.” The good news is that cleaning your dog or cat’s bowl once a day is sufficient. Just make sure to scrub with hot water and soap.

7. Door Handles

Maybe it’s too much of an obvious statement? Whatever the case, door handles account for one of the most effective ways of spreading germs. The upside is that door handles are extremely easy to clean and only require disinfecting about once a week.

8. Oven Mitts

No one ever mentions the oven mitts. Why? Because they serve one purpose and they are most often overlooked. But how often do you see a clean over mitt when visiting someone’s house? Our point exactly.

9. Pillow Cases

Did you know that the average pillow case contains about 180,471 germs? Before you lay your head down for 7 hours each night, make sure your pillow cases has been washed within the past week or two.