Household Germs: Bacteria and Viruses that Live in Your Home

Household germs are present in your environment. While this may no longer come as a surprise, you should not disregard that some pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, may cause harm and illnesses to you and your family.

Fortunately, you can manage household germs to free your home from harmful pathogens. Read on to know the types of germs in your home and what you can do to stop their spread.

Household Germs that Breed in Your Home

IN THE KITCHEN

1. Coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter are among the pathogens that may be present in your kitchen. They may be found in chopping boards, kitchen sponges, dishcloths, countertops, and parts of the refrigerator that may be in contact with raw meat and food products.

IN THE BATHROOM

Feacal coliform bacteria, E. Coli, and streptococcus are some of the pathogens that may be found on your toothbrush, towel, shower curtain, toilet bowl, bath, sink and other damp areas.

IN THE BEDROOM and LIVING ROOM

Strep and staphylococcus aureus are among the most common bacteria in the bedroom and living room. They may be found in makeup brushes, laundry, remote controls, and mobile phones.

DID YOU KNOW: 

The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 pandemic may also be found on contaminated surfaces and objects through fomite transmission. Depending on the environment, these viruses may live there for hours or days.

Tips to Stop the Spread of Household Germs in Your Home

1. Maintain Cleanliness

Keeping your home clean should also include maintaining household items that are free from harmful pathogens. General cleaning should be done on a regular basis. Items that can become the breeding ground of germs and viruses must be disinfected.

• Use clean water and soap 
• Create a solution of bleach and water for disinfection
• Use disinfectants and sanitizers with at least 60% ethyl alcohol
• Wear gloves to protect your skin when using disinfectant products

2. Practice Hand Hygiene

Make it a habit to wash your hands 20 to 30 seconds after possible contamination such as using the bathroom, touching raw food, or getting in contact with dirty surfaces. It is also important to ensure that hands are clean before eating.

3. Be Mindful of Your Footwear

The footwear you use outside your home should be removed before entering your home. Don’t walk with it through the house as they may bring in harmful household germs that will put you and your family’s health at risk.

4. Disinfect Multiple Times a Day

Frequently touched surfaces must be disinfected regularly as viruses can live on them. Everyday items can harbor household germs and cause cross-contamination. Due to frequency of contact. it’s not enough to clean them once a day. Disinfection must be more thorough especially if there is a sick member in your household.

Some of the high-touch surfaces include:

• Mobile phones
• Computers
• Tablets
• Switches
• Doorknobs
• Cabinet handles
• ...and others

5. Know Where the Household Germs Are

As mentioned in the previous section, there are common areas at home where household germs thrive. Be particular about the efforts you put into these areas. Consider them as germ hotspots and make sure that intensive disinfection will be done.

ALSO READ: Safety and Hygiene Practices in the Workplace to Leave You Worry-Free

Even at home you are not free from the risks brought by bacteria and viruses. They can spread from person to person or from person to surface. As prevention is always better than cure, you need to know how you can effectively stop the spread of household germs before it’s too late.