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 maker, refrigerator, especially areas in contact with uncooked and unwashed food, and kitchen sink and counter-tops.
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 minimising germs from spreading is keeping things clean. This can be done with common household items like soap, bleach and water, disinfecting wipes and hand sanitisers. 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.
By: Mercy Kukah
