As disgusting as it sounds, are homes and even ourselves are covered in germs of various kinds. In fact, germs are an integral part of the human life cycle. Think about the bacteria found in your digestive tract that keeps your gut healthy, for example!
When we talk about germs, they are not necessarily the product of dirty habits and unhygienic living. Some germs are necessary for living, while others are indeed a product of a lack of hygiene and should be eliminated.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the different types of germs you will find in your house, and what you can (and should) do about them.
In you and on you
Start your detective journey with yourself first, because microbe life is an integral part of the human existance. We all carry microbiallife with us all the time. They are present in your nose, mouth, skin, and especially inside your gut, but this doesn’t mean you have a hygiene problem. Many of these microbes are necessary for your health because your body needs them to do small jobs that our body does on a daily basis!
Kitchen
You’ll probably be shocked to learn that the kitchen you use for daily food preparation contains millions of germs. In fact, your kitchen likely has more germs than your bathroom. Most concerningly, your kitchen can harbor dangerous bacteria like Salmonella and E. Coli are commonly found in these places.
So, what all should you do to keep the germs in your kitchen to a minimum and avoid potentially deadly bacteria? Follow these simple steps:
- Clean your kitchen counters frequently using products that are designed to kill bacteria and viruses.
- Wash cutting boards regularly and use plastic rather than wooden cutting boards.
- Thoroughly clean your kitchen sink and surfaces at least once a day.
- Mats and other kitchen flooring must be deep cleaned
Handles, switches, and knobs
Points of frequent contact are bound to have a large amount germs and bacteria since you can pick up microbes on your hand and then use that same hand to open the door, touch a light switch, or similar. It is therefore essential to frequently clean:
- Microwave handles
- Door knobs
- Refrigerator handles
- Switches
- TV remotes
- Mobile phones
- Kitchen and bathroom taps
These are some of the dirtiest places in your house, so be sure to clean them often and thoroughly.
Bathroom
You won’t be shocked by this one. If not kept clean, the bathroom can harbor all kinds of germs. So how do we remove microbes from such a germ-prone zone?
It is important to use quality cleaning products that contain ingredients designed to eliminate germs (such as bleach and chlorine) to clean your bathroom, paying particular attention to:
- Taps
- Drains
- Bathtubs
- Toothbrushes
- Toilet seats
- Floors
The above areas should be cleaned at least one, and preferably twice a week. Additionally, be sure to wash your bathroom towels with detergent and at high temperatures to kill germs at least once a week.
Laundry
Dirty clothing is a haven for microbial life forms. You’ll find all sorts of bacteria and fungi on clothing that has been worn and is left for a long period of time without being washed. It is therefore essential to wash your clothes regularly. Also make sure you wash them on hot to kill all germs.
Another important tip is to make sure you seperate dirty clothes from clean items. If you leave clean and dirty clothes together for even 30 minutes, the dirty items can contaminate the clean ones. Similarly, if you leave a load of clothes sitting in the machine after a wash for too long your hard work will go in vain, and you’ll have to wash them again.
Therefore, best practices for laundry are:
1) Immediately put dirty clothes into a laundry basket ready for washing
2) Put them through the washing machine within a few days, and don’t leave dirty items sitting around for long periods
3) Dry your clothes as soon as they are washed, and then put them away immediately and don’t leave them near your dirty clothes.
Personal items
Just like door handles and other places we touch frequently, things that we use multiple times a day can also be hotspots for microbes. These include remotes, your phone, handbags, hairbrushes, and your toothbrush. All too often we use these items every day, but never think about cleaning them. However, they should all be cleaned regularly just as you’d clean your bathroom or kitchen.
We’ve all become more hygiene conscious in recent times. However, it’s essential to think about health and hygiene not only when we leave the house, but when we’re at home as well. Be sure to pay special attention to the areas mentioned above, and you’ll protect your health as well as the health of your loved ones!
