As we spend over 80% of our time indoors, we should make it a point to reduce the presence of a wide variety of micro-organisms in our home. The air we breathe should be fresh and oxygen rich without harmful germs. Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and then drying by a clean towel is necessary when you’re working in the kitchen or spending too much time indoors.
For strictly adhering to the hygiene standards of healthy living, let’s look into different areas in the home where you need to concentrate more.
The doormat placed outside the main door harbours bacteria, viruses, fungi etc. which can cause infectious diseases. These germs can easily enter your living area from the doormats in many ways. Keeping your shoes outside can prevent the free flow of germs to a great extent. Nylon yard or polypropylene mats have the quality to collect most of the dust particles from the shoes.
It’s thus clear that more attention should be given to doormats while cleaning the house. Inculcate good hygiene practice by vacuuming the mats weekly and washing them neatly on a monthly basis. Use a standard disinfectant spray while cleaning the mats.
Kitchen Dish Towels and Germs
A new study reveals that kitchen dish towels contain more bacteria than any other place in our homes. Damp dish towels, even those cute embroidered ones, are breeding grounds for germs. People working in the kitchen have the tendency to touch the towel too often and that too sometimes even before washing the hands after handling raw meat. This causes the towel to be contaminated with bacteria.
Replace kitchen dish towels daily or at least on those days you cook. This is to avoid bacteria in an area in your home that needs to be the most hygienic place. Stock up on alcohol wipes could also cut down on bacteria.
Cell Phone Usage in the Kitchen
It’s advisable to keep your smart phone out of the kitchen. People have a tendency to grab the mobile while cooking. Bacteria are sure to infest your phone and you’ll transfer them to all the places you and your phone move!
Don’t get surprised if some tests by microbiologists prove that your kitchen sink is dirtier than even the toilet seat as far as harmful microorganisms are concerned! Some studies said around 500,000 bacteria per square inch can be found in a kitchen sink. A sink, where raw meat, dairy products or other things contaminated with bacteria are handled, easily becomes breeding ground for large colonies of the bacteria and poses a health risk.
Because dirty dishes are rinsed and washed frequently, there will be higher levels of moisture in the kitchen sink. This creates ideal conditions for heavy bacteria buildup. So make it a point to wipe down your kitchen sink frequently.
Not all types of bacteria are harmful. Many organisms, including some varieties of bacteria, are found in drinking water. They normally pose no health concern. But you have to be careful about E.coli, Coliform Bacteria, Salmonella & and other such disease causing microbes.
A free-standing ceramic filter can be used on a countertop or under the sink filter housing. Some standard water filters use four-stage purification to cleans the water of bacteria and viruses.
Know where harmful bacteria lurk in your home. Floors occupy most of the space and face maxium foot traffic in your home, so they naturally contain large colonies of bacteria. Vacuum the floor regularly and sweep it at least once in a week with a good disinfectant cleaner.
If you have pets, learn the safety precautions and special cleaning procedures to follow so that you can control the levels of bacteria and fungi inside the house.
Bedding and Carpets
Wash your bedding on a weekly basis and vacuum the carpets regularly. Maintain a routine cleaning timetable for the carpets and beddings as they harbour dust-mites and other allergens.
Occasionally call a professional home cleaning company in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington & Christchurch to safeguard the well being and healthful life of your family members.