When cleaning, most people focus on common areas like the living room and guest bathroom. But little do they know, even if something seems clean doesn’t mean that germs are not present.
To avoid being susceptible to diseases, be aware of the types of bacteria you’re sharing your house with. While most bacteria aren’t harmful, it’s better to be safe than put your family’s health at risk.
Below, a specialised cleaning service company advises on the top 3 places in your home, you should be cleaning first.
How do germs spread in a home?
Germs multiply and spread from one person to another. Then from one infected person, germs can then get transferred to surfaces of your home. The following are other factors that can also affect germ life.
- Living habits of home dwellers
- Types of house surfaces
- Cleaning procedures
Above are some of the common factors that can influence the spread of bacteria in your home. For you to minimize their proliferation remember to clean and disinfect these top three filthy places below.
- Kitchen
Since you prepare the food you eat in the kitchen, cleaning your kitchen more often makes sense.
Kitchen Sink
According to a research by the National Science Foundation (NSF), a kitchen sink houses 31,905 microorganisms. These numbers are a very good reason to regularly scrub your sink.
Imagine the horror of preparing your food in a place that houses thousands of bacteria. Make it a point to disinfect and wash the bottom and sides of your kitchen sink once or twice a week. Wash your sink strainer and sanitize the drain weekly by pouring a mixture of one teaspoon household bleach solution and one quart of water.
Kitchen Countertops
Once you’re done with your food preparation, make it a habit to wash your kitchen countertops daily. Remember to wash it with hot and soapy water. Rinse your kitchen countertops with water then apply a sanitizing agent to disinfect them.
Below are other kitchen items that you need to frequently clean:
- Coffeemaker
- Cutting boards
- Refrigerator
Some tips to keep some kitchen spots clean:
- Change dish towels several times a week
- Wash your hands before and after food preparation
- Wipe refrigerator surfaces, faucet and countertops with disinfectant
- Soak your sponges in warm water and a half teaspoon of strong bleach
- Bathroom
You scrub dirt off your body in the bathroom so it comes as no surprise that this place harbors bacteria and other microorganisms.
Bath Towels
When you don’t dry out towels properly, they can be the perfect place for bacteria and mildew to breed. After every use, it’s a great idea to put towels in the dryer to ensure that they dry up properly. Also, wash them in hot water after three to four times of use to prevent bacterial growth.
Bathroom Tub
Same as towels, if you don’t properly dry it out, your tub can promote the growth of mold, bacteria and fungi. Don’t leave any standing water in the bathtub before you get out of the bathroom. To reduce the growth of bacteria, dry off the surface of the shower and tub after every use.
Other bathroom spots that you should also pay special attention to:
- Drains and faucets
- Toilet floor area
- Toothbrush and toothbrush holder
The moisture from the hot shower is also a good place for germ growth. Do a once-a-week thorough cleaning, and wipe bathroom surfaces and handles with a disinfectant daily. Also, replace towels at least once a week and change your toothbrush every three to four months.
- Living Room
Family members often share remote controls and phones in the living room. Since everyone regularly hangs out in this part of the house, expect that the living room is a hot spot for bacteria. Anytime you or your children walk on the carpet, the movement transfers germs to various surfaces.
Vacuum the living room area weekly and spray your carpet with a sanitizing agent to disinfect the area. Or, you could get a professional cleaner for a deep steam cleaning once a year to help reduce bacterial growth.
Electronics
Another spot you need to pay attention to are your electronic devices. The remote controls that various family members handle contain thousands of bacteria. Make it a habit to use disinfectant wipes once a week to sanitize your electronic devices.
A filthy place equals germs
Most of the germs inside your home continue to thrive when there’s no cleaning and it’s not done right. You should know how to disinfect your home with cleaning products to prevent germs.
Keep germs under control with efficient cleaning and proper hygiene. No matter how busy you are, don’t compromise your family’s immune system. Hire a professional cleaning service to ensure that your home is free from disease-causing bacteria.
AUTHOR BIO
Rania Bellos launched Dust Busters Cleaning Services with the help and support of her husband after spending 15 years working in the banking and finance industry in France, Lebanon and the UAE. She welcomes the daily challenges and exciting opportunities provided by the highly competitive residential and commercial cleaning services market.