Exposing the Germiest Items in Your Home: How to Keep Them Clean and Safe
There are many germ magnets in our houses, and most of us don’t even realise it. In this blog, we’ll take a quick look at some of the most germ-ridden items commonly found in homes and explore practical sanitisation methods to prevent the spread of bacteria and disease.
Kitchen Sponges
Kitchen sponges are a breeding ground for bacteria owing to their porous nature and the fact that they’re frequently exposed to food particles and moisture. Potentially serious bacteria can be lodged in kitchen sponges, such as E. coli and salmonella, among other things.
That’s why it is important to replace your sponges regularly and sanitise them in hot water in between uses.
Kitchen Sink
Regular cleaning of the kitchen sink with a proper sink cleaner is essential. This is because, just like the sponge, the sink can harbour plenty of bacteria due to contact with raw foods, dirty dishes and utensils, and a lot of moisture.
When moisture and organic matter are left behind in the sink, it provides an ideal place for bacteria to grow and germs to thrive.
A variety of different detergents, such as ammonia-based cleaners, can be effective for cleaning your sink.
Toothbrush and Toothbrush Holder
Toothbrush holders have been known to accumulate a lot of moisture at the bottom, providing the perfect place for bacteria to accumulate. Residue from toothpaste and saliva can also build up, adding a variety of germs to the mix.
Therefore, it is important to regularly clean your toothbrush and toothbrush holder to prevent fostering a hotspot for germs, including faecal coliform bacteria. To clean your toothbrush properly, you can simply boil it in hot water.
Remote Controls
Rarely, if ever, are remote controls cleaned, even though they’re used multiple times throughout the day with dirty hands. This leads to a buildup of germs, bacteria, and viruses, especially when they’re shared among family members and guests who visit the house.
Cleaning your remote control is as simple as using a bit of alcohol-based spray and giving it a careful wipe down, with extra focus on and between the buttons.
Mobile Phones
Your mobile phone is constantly being touched and carried everywhere with you, wherever you go. You put it down in toilets and have it next to you while you eat.
These devices have been shown to harbour up to ten times more bacteria than a common toilet seat, including potentially harmful pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, E-Coli, MRSA, and Strep.
To ensure that you don’t fall victim to these germs, you can simply sanitise your phone with a light alcohol-based spray and wipe it down periodically. Make sure to wipe down the front and back.
Door Knobs and Handles
Since most people touch door handles and knobs, they should be cleaned, especially the ones in the kitchen and bathroom areas. These can harbour a wide range of bacteria and viruses, making them a very common source of germ transmission.
It pays to periodically take a cleaning detergent and carefully wipe down every doorknob and door handle in the house, including cupboard handles.
Bathroom Towels
Many people leave their bathroom towels on the floor or hang them up in rooms with poor airflow, leaving them damp for extended periods. This provides an ideal environment for bacteria and mould to grow.
As such, it’s important to wash them regularly with germ-eliminating detergents. Remember to do the same with hand towels that are used for drying hands after using the bathroom, as these towels can harbour faecal matter, among other things.
Now that you are thoroughly alarmed, there’s no better time to call in Enviro-Safe to come in and free your home from harmful bacteria and viruses. Contact us to find out more about our specialised hygiene services and products.