Your home may appear clean and organized but you do not know the millions of germs that could be hiding under the carpet or thriving in your kitchen utensils. Keeping a hygienic living space is very important to avoid the spread of household germs that could cause illnesses to your family and pets.
To achieve this, you must first identify the hotspots where the germs are usually lurking. Every nook and cranny at home must be checked. Once you have recognized the specific areas, clean and disinfect thoroughly to kill the harmful bacteria and viruses. To get you started, here are 7 germ hotspots around your home and what you can do about them.
7 Common Germ Hotspots and How to Disinfect Them
1. Cutting Boards
A survey revealed that cutting boards contain 200 percent more bacteria than the average toilet seat. Cutting boards are contaminated with illness-causing bacteria such as E. coli due to their contact with raw animal products. Remember to sanitize and disinfect them immediately after each use. You can also keep a few cutting boards so you can always have a clean one.
BestLab is a trusted supplier of high-quality personal hygiene and sanitation products like its Natural Disinfectant & Sanitizer. It has a combination of antibacterial and antivirus benefits while maintaining excellent cleaning properties. With no harsh ingredients, its formula is effective in a wide range of disinfection applications primarily as a solid surface disinfectant and on perishable goods. It offers a natural disinfectant that is based on Lactic Acid and is a fully biobased product.
2. Kitchen Sink and Faucets
Other germ hotspots that you must clean meticulously are the kitchen sink and faucets. They can get contaminated when you use them after handling raw meat or touch them with your dirty hands. The leftover food particles in your sink can be a perfect breeding ground for harmful household germs such as E. coli and salmonella. They can get into your hands and transfer to other parts of your kitchen or even into your food. Wash your dirty dishes immediately after each meal. Do not let them stay in the sink for a long time. Keep the kitchen sink clean and unclogged. Disinfect and sanitize it once a week and let it run down the drain system. Use soapy water to clean the faucets regularly. Wipe the faucets with a soft cloth dipped in diluted vinegar.
3. Bathrooms
Your bathroom is a germ magnet. The moisture coming from a hot shower causes the germs to build up and multiply. Moist areas are more susceptible to bacterial growth. Make sure that you give extra care to these germ hotspots inside your bathroom:
- Drains
- Faucets
- Shower Head and Tub
- Toilet Seat
- Floor
- Walls
- Door Knobs
- Towel Rails
Wipe the dirty surfaces with a disinfectant and clean microfiber cloth every day. You can also use an old toothbrush to scrub off molds and mildews.
4. Toothbrushes
Your toothbrush keeps your mouth and teeth clean but ironically it is also one of the top germ hotspots at home that can cause illnesses. Germs can easily thrive in moist areas so it is important to place your toothbrush where it can easily dry. Always remember to keep it away from your toilet. Flushing the toilet without closing the lid can spread bacteria in the form of contaminated water droplets that mix into the air. Replace your toothbrush every 3 months to ensure that the bristles are not yet worn out and to keep only a minimal bacteria accumulated on it.
5. Knobs, Switches, and Handles
These are the common germ hotspots since they are the frequently touched areas around the house. Disinfect them whenever you use them. If you want, you can prepare a DIY sanitizer using white vinegar or bleach water. Apply the solution to all kinds of handles and doorknobs. Wipe off using a clean microfiber cloth. Clean the switches and other handles using disinfecting wipes.
Make sure to clean your hands thoroughly with soap and water afterwards to keep them germ-free. For added protection, you can also use BestLab’s Jeju Aloe Fresh Hand and Face Wipes which cleanse, disinfect, moisturize, and refresh the skin. Gentle on your hands, it is specially formulated with aloe vera and cucumber extract to help relieve the skin of redness and itchiness.
6. Kitchen Sponges
One of the top germ hotspots at home, the kitchen sponges are sources of cross-contamination since they are porous and have damp crevices where germs can hang out and multiply. The chances of spreading germs around the house are higher if you are using the same sponge to wash the dishes and clean your counters and other kitchen surfaces. Put your wet sponges inside the dishwasher set on a drying cycle or into a microwave for one minute every day. Throw away your soiled sponges once they begin to smell.
7. Carpets
Your carpets may be good flooring alternatives to spice up your living space but they are also germ hotspots. They are dust magnets that contain food, pollen, dead skin cells, pet dander, and more. Household germs can come to the surface when we walk around the carpet. Vacuum it once or twice a week. Since a vacuum cannot completely reach deep inside the carpet, you have to hire a professional to get it steam-cleaned once a year.
ALSO READ: Hygiene and Sanitation Related Diseases You Need to be Aware Of
Maintaining a clean living space is essential to prevent the spread of household germs that could cause illnesses. You must first identify the germ hotspots around your home so you can start cleaning them. Hygienic tips such as sanitizing and disinfecting regularly are effective in eliminating harmful bacteria and viruses. Follow the cleaning suggestions so you can protect your family and pets from diseases.
BestLab is your trusted source of personal hygiene and sanitation products. Turn your germ hotspots at home into a clean living space for you and your family using BestLab’s great selections of affordable but high-quality alcohol, disinfectants, sanitizers, face wipes, air humidifiers, dishwashing liquid, and more.