While there is no way to guarantee you won’t catch a cold or the flu this winter, there’s one simple thing you can do to increase your odds of staying healthy: clean your house. Yep, you read that correctly. Keeping your house clean is an essential component to remaining healthy.
The truth is people are more likely to catch a cold or the flu from germs in their own house than anywhere else. Looks like June Cleaver was on to something with her daily cleaning ritual. I’m all about following her lead, just as long as I don’t have to wear pearls and heels while I vacuum. During my research, I identified the common household breeding grounds for germs. By employing a few of the following simple strategies, you can keep your house a clean and healthy environment.
Germ Breeding Ground: The Kitchen
There are a lot of place for germs to get frisky in the kitchen, including sponges, the kitchen sink drain, counter tops, and kitchen towels, which are known for hosting late night parties for E. coli. Not to worry, though. For every germ hotspot, there’s a simple way to clean them up.
The Fix:
After preparing food, be sure to wipe down the counter, sink, and kitchen faucet with soap and hot water. That’s it! There’s no need to purchase expensive antibacterial cleaners – just like June, simply use soap and water. Next, sanitize your kitchen sponge in the dishwasher or microwave and put your dishrags in the washing machine. To clean the sink and drain, simply scrub the sink basin with a mixture of water and bleach (1 tablespoon of bleach per quart of water) and pour the mixture down the drain when you’re done.
Germ Breeding Ground: The Bedroom
While you may not think you spend much time in your bedroom, you actually spend a third of your life in the bedroom. So where’s the danger? It’s all around you – on your bedside table, the floor, and your bed. Humans shed dead skin cells on all of these surfaces, which dust mites love to gnaw on. And let’s not even talk about the mold that could be lurking in your hamper thanks to damp clothes being tossed inside.
The Fix:
Wash your sheets in hot water weekly, dust and clean all surfaces, and don’t let damp clothing remain in the your hamper for more than one day.
Germ Breeding Ground: The Tub & Shower
While bathing is an ideal way to get rid of germs and viruses on your body, they don’t just wash down the drain or die on the tile once you’re done showering. Some of those germs and viruses actually thrive on wet surfaces!
The Fix:
After you’re done bathing every day, use a squeegee or clean towel to dry the shower or bathtub. Be sure to use a disinfecting cleaner once a week on the bathroom tub and shower.
Germ Breeding Ground: The Bathroom Floor
Okay, this is gross. There are more germs on your bathroom floor than there are on the toilet seat! Wondering how that’s possible? By leaving the lid open when you flush. When you leave the lid open, microscopic fecal matter is sprayed into the air and then lands on the floor where typical bathroom moisture helps the germs grow.
The Fix:
Close the toilet before you flush and mop the floor weekly with a cleaning solution that contains bleach. It’s also a good idea to wash and dry bathroom floor mats since damp mats are a favorite hangout for mold and bacteria.
Not only does keeping your house clean help reduce illnesses contracted from bacteria and germs, mindful cleaning is a great stress reducer, and nothing’s more relaxing than enjoying a clean house.
This post was written by Derek Dasher who writes for TopAlarmSystem.com. Derek enjoys writing about a variety of home-related topics including home security and home improvement.
Image: winnond / FreeDigitalPhotos.net