Your mind feels at peace and you feel healthier when your home is clean. But, just because a place looks clean, it does not mean that it actually is. People, pets, and food items are the main things that bring germs into the home. Once these germs are inside, they can spread to each and every corner of your home. If you are not too careful, they can make their way into your system too. It is not possible to get rid of all the germs in your home but you can keep a check on them. You need to be extra careful about the areas or things in your home that tend to breed more germs than others. Here are a few areas that tend to harbor germs so that you can be extra careful while cleaning next time.
Cutting Board
You may be surprised to hear that the average kitchen chopping board has about 200 percent more fecal bacteria than the average toilet seat. You need to start using different chopping boards for red meat, fish, and poultry and for fruits and vegetables. The germs from the fish and meat may get transferred to your veggies and fruits, which you may eat raw. You can even dip the boards in a solution of detergent for half an hour and washing them before putting them away.
Toothbrush
It feels icky to think that something you put in your mouth can harbor germs. But your toothbrush is one of the most contaminated things in your house. Each time you flush the toilet, the germs can travel as far as 6 feet and can end up on your toothbrush. Some microbes can float around in the bathroom for almost 2 hours after each flush. Try and keep the bristles of your toothbrush covered or put the toilet lid down before flushing.
Kitchen Sink
You may think your toilet is the most contaminated part of the house, but it is actually your kitchen, especially the sink. The food that gets washed away in the sink invites and breeds a lot of germs. Sanitize this area regularly just like you do with the toilet.
Dirty Laundry
It’s never a good idea to keep dirty laundry lying around in the house. The sweat trapped in your clothes breeds germs. If you have soiled clothes, you should wash the items in very hot water to prevent the risk of infection. Always wash your hands after handling dirty laundry.
Carpets
Carpets may help your home look brighter and more colorful. but they definitely don’t help make them cleaner. Carpets are the biggest collector of dust in your home. They are laden with dead skin cells, hair, food debris, insects, and dirt. Stick with floorboards as much as possible. If you do have carpets, vacuum them regularly and send them for cleaning occasionally.
Handles
The biggest risk of infection arises from those surfaces that you touch frequently with your hands. Such areas include door handles, taps, toilet flushes, toilet seats, and light switches. You can give them a quick wipe with a sanitizer from time to time.
Soiled Shoes
Make it a rule for everyone to open their shoes at the entrance when they enter your house. Shoes pick up dirt and animal feces when you are outdoors. Walking around the house with them spreads germs and increases your risk of infection.
You do not need to be a neat freak to stay healthy and clean. You just need to make it a habit to clean your house regularly to avoid an excess buildup of germs. A clean home is a happy home.
