Germ Proof Your Home

Point to remember: You can’t keep your home 100 percent germ-free. Nor do you have to. Studies have found that being too clean can have its own set of problems too in today’s super-clean world, where vaccinations, anti-bacterial soaps, and airtight doors and windows keep dirt and disease-causing germs at bay.

While staying germ-free can prevent the spread of disease and infections, leading a cleanlier lifestyle may be responsible for an increase in allergies among children, say scientists, coining it the ‘Hygiene Hypothesis.’ What you should aim for is ‘Targeted Hygiene’ which involves getting rid of germs and decreasing their levels so you can have a safer environment. Here are some general hygiene tips that will help you minimise spreading of germs in your home.

Go for natural cleaning!

Many commercial disinfectants are filled with chemicals that can be just as deadly (if not more) than the germs lurking in your home. So, skip the solutions and try a few natural remedies for a germfree home. White household vinegar is fantastic for cleaning everything from countertops to carpets. This nontoxic, multi-purpose product eliminates more than 90 percent of bacteria and more than 80 percent of mold and germs.

Vacuum

Vacuum regularly, and clean the filter every time you vacuum or replacing the bag frequently. Bagless vacuum cleaners can be easily cleaned after each use, preventing the redistribution of dust that takes place when air is being drawn through a vacuum bag.

Floor

Wipe with a damp mop every few days even if the floor doesn’t look dirty. Floors should be cleaned with warm water and powerful earth-friendly detergent regularly.

Dining table

Wipe the table with a clean cloth or a disposable wipe before each meal.

Fridge

Regularly clean out the refrigerator. That goes for the fridge door too. Don’t store food, especially meat items for long. Ensure that your fridge temperature is ideally set.

Cutting board

Wipe all food preparation surfaces before and after cutting food. Surfaces that have come into contact with raw poultry or meat should be rinsed in hot water and cleaned throughly to prevent the spread of bacteria. Use separate chopping boards for fruit and vegetables and meats. Wash your hands after working with raw meat.

Carpet

Carpet is the one which must be cared for the most since it’s the collection ground for dust and bacteria – worse if children are to play on them. Frequent cleaning with steam is most recommended.

Dishes

If dishes aren’t going to be washed right after a meal, at least rinse them to get the surface food off. Let dishes air dry rather than wiping them dry.

Bathroom

Scrub the bathroom regularly with a disinfectant cleanser, starting at the top of the room and working your way down, leaving the toilet till last and then disposing of the sponge or cloth that you’ve used. Clean sinks and bath every time after use. In the event that it was used by someone who’s ill, disinfect it immediately.

Toilet

Use a toilet brush to scrub inside the toilet bowl and under the rim. This job can be simplified by keeping a toilet-cleansing block or tablet in the toilet tank so that some cleanser is released each time the toilet is flushed.

Air-cond

You’ll be surprised to see how fast dust collect in air-cond filters. If you’re too busy to do it yourself, it advisable to engage the service of professionals on a regular basis.

Bedding

Wash bedding in hot water at least weekly. This will kill dust mites that live on the microscopic bits of skin that our bodies shed constantly. The same thing can be accomplished by hanging your quilts and pillows outside for a few hours under the hot sun.

Laundry

Wash dirty laundry regularly at times running in hot temperature. To prevent the growth of germs, run the washing machine empty at high temperature after wash. Don’t leave laundry inside the washing machine for long time as the germs can multiply and spread over.

Toys

Children’s toys are breeding ground for germs. Children have the penchant to put toys in their mouths. So, make it a point to clean all toys and equipment regularly. Clean soft toys in washing machine.

Water filter

Water filters should be cleaned regularly before it becomes murky and dirty.

Garbage

Take out the garbage before it gets smelly. Also, clear food storage shelves and drawers and wipe them regularly.

Pets

Wash hands with soap after touching pets, their cages, food, litter trays or toys. Pet foods, dish utensils and tin openers, meat for pets must be kept separated from human food.

Let the sun in

Open the window and allow sunshine into your house. Fresh air and sunshine are one of the oldest known ways to eliminate stale odour and germs. Allow sponges , dish cloths, toothbrushes, and washcloths to dry out thoroughly between uses. Germs, mold, and mildew thrive on moist surfaces.

Germ hot spots

To keep your home germfree, be extra vigilant about cleaning the areas of your home that see the most traffic. Don’t forget to disinfect germ traps such as doorknobs, toilet handles, faucets, computer keyboards, microwave, cupboard, remote controls, phones, telephones, and other hot spots.

Keeping your home free of germs is easy. All it calls for is regular, habitual common-sense cleaning.