Studies show that some
bacteria can divide every 20 minutes with the right temperature and nutrients.
That is why symptoms of illnesses show up so quickly after an infection. There
are some household germs that can make you sick. These household germs are;
staphylococcus aureus, yeast and mold, salmonella, fecal matters and
Escherichia coli. But you need to know that not all bacteria are harmful. In
fact, your body contains plenty of bacteria that do not make you sick.
Germs can spread from person to
person, and from person to surface, and there are factors that can influence
the spread of germs. These factors are; surface type, living habits, lifestyle
and cleaning procedures. It is important to know the factors that influence the
spread of germs in our home, and also to know the dirtiest spots in our homes
that can cause sickness, and how to clean such areas to avoid rapid growth of
harmful germs. These areas are;
The kitchen
Areas where food is stored or
prepared have more bacteria and fecal contamination than other places in the
home. More than 75 percent of dish sponges and rags have salmonella coli and
fecal matter compared to the 9 percent on bathroom faucet handles. The other
kitchen items that need frequent cleaning are; the cutting boards, coffee make,
refrigerator, especially areas in contact with uncooked and unwashed food, and
kitchen sink and countertops.
Tips for keeping these spots
clean:
- Use
disinfectant wipes on the faucet, refrigerator surfaces, and countertop.
- Heat
damp sponges in the microwave for a minute to kill bacteria.
- Soak
sponges in a quart of warm water with half a teaspoon of concentrated
bleach.
- Change
dish towels a few times a week.
- Wash
your hands before and after touching or handling food.
Knobs, handles, and switches
Countertops, handles, and light
switches are a few less-than-obvious places for germs. While many people assume
that the bathroom doorknob would be the dirtiest, other spots that ranked
higher with bacteria than the doorknob in the bathroom are; the bathroom light
switches, refrigerator handles, stove knobs and microwave handles. These spot
can be cleaned at least once a week with disinfecting wipes. It is ideal to use
a new wipe for every spot instead of reusing the same one.
Makeup bag
The nooks, crannies, and
bristles of makeup applicators are prime real estate for germs, especially if
you carry your makeup bag outside the house. Germs that live on your makeup
applicators can cause skin and eye infections. You may need to change how you
store your makeup. Products should ideally be kept in a clean, dry space at
room temperature. To keep makeup brushes clean, you can wash them once a week
with regular soap and water, or also use an alcohol spray on the brushes. Many
doctors recommend replacing cosmetics every six months and throwing out eye
makeup if you have had an eye infection.
Bathroom
It is no surprise that the place
you scrub dirt and grim off your body holds bacteria. Due to the moisture from
a hot shower, the bathroom is also a perfect place for germ growth. Spots you
should pay special attention to include; the shower tub, drains, faucets, floor
area around the toilet, bath towels and toothbrushes. You can wipe surfaces and
handles down with disinfectant on a daily basis and do a thorough cleaning once
a week. An old toothbrush may come in handy for cleaning small spaces like
around drains and faucets. You should also replace bathroom towels once a week
and toothbrushes every three to four months.
Laundry
Wet laundry left in a
machine, even for a short amount of time, can cause germs to flourish. You
should transfer clean clothes to the dryer immediately after each wash. If
clothes sit in the washer for more than 30 minutes, you may want to run a second
cycle. If using a laundry mat or a shared laundry facility, clean the
washer drum with a disinfecting wipe. Be sure to wipe down any surfaces,
especially public ones, before folding clean clothes.
Home office and living room
Remote controls,
computer keyboards, phones, and tablets are often shared by multiple family
members and guests. Surfaces also contribute to bacteria growth and diversity.
For example, a carpet can hold up to eight times its weight in dirt and dust
and may be dirtier than a city street. You can also use disinfectant wipes to
clean your items, especially if they have come in contact with dirty
surfaces.
Pets
Pets can also bring
germs and bacteria in your home, especially if they go outside. Pet toys also
carried staph, yeast, and mold. You can prevent your pets from bringing in dirt
by washing or wiping their paws before letting them in. Wash pet bowls daily
with warm, soapy water, and then soak in bleach once a week. Clean hard toys
regularly with hot, soapy water, and wash soft toys monthly.
Personal items
You can bring in germs from the
outside to your house each day through your shoes, gym bag, and even
headphones. Fecal contamination, yeast, and mold can be present on your cell
phones, keys, wallet and money, lunch boxes and bottom of purses. Most
disinfecting wipes are safe for electronics, but if you want to be extra safe,
you can find electronic-specific cleaning supplies at stores.
One way of minimizing germs from
spreading is keeping things clean. This can be done with common household
items like soap, bleach and water, disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizers. Good
habits like taking your shoes off before walking through the house and washing
your hands after using the bathroom or touching raw food can also help. You can
cultivate the habit of washing your hand regularly with soap and water to
remove germs and avoid illnesses.
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