We all want our houses to be spotless, but there are some areas that may be overlooked when it comes to housekeeping tasks.
Aisha Pandor, whose on-demand home cleaning company Sweep South assists individuals in keeping their houses clean, identifies the areas we frequently overlook.
Three of the top five germ hot spots in the average household, according to a survey by global health organization NSF International, are in the kitchen, which leads to the first place that needs to be cleaned.
The back of the fridge – the exterior back, not the inside back! – is at the top of the list of places in the house that are rarely cleaned.
The coils at that location work to chill the air, but they can’t do so effectively if they’re covered in filth.
Unplug your refrigerator, take it away from the wall, and gently brush out any debris and dust on the coils, according to Aisha.
If you do this once a year, you will save money on electricity.
A fridge is one of the most energy-intensive equipment in the house, and cleaning its outer coils can cut its energy use by up to 30%.
Once you’ve placed your fridge back into place, remember to leave enough space between it and the wall for air to circulate freely.
Backsplashes made of tile are infamous for accumulating oil and grime and are often disregarded when cleaning.
According to Aisha, the grease attracts dust and dirt, which is not the type of environment in which you want to be making meals.
Mix two cups of distilled white vinegar with a cup of water and 15 drops of eucalyptus oil to clean backsplashes with natural products.
To clean the tiles, dip a cloth in the mixture and rub it over the tiles. This cleaning solution can be used on any bright, non-porous surface, such as sinks.
Ovens, which are at the core of food preparation in the kitchen, are great real estate for bacteria. Cleaning the interior on a regular basis is recommended, as is lining the bottom with foil to catch any drips or spills.
Simply peel off and discard the foil when it becomes filthy. But it’s not just the inside that has to be cleaned; stove knobs are among the top ten areas where germs hide. Remove the knobs and wash them in hot, soapy water to clean them.
Rinse thoroughly, let dry, and reinstall. Dismantle the gas rings on a gas stove and clean them separately in hot soapy water.
You probably don’t look at your can opener very often, but it’s shocking how dirty this kitchen tool can get. Can openers can house pathogens like salmonella and e.Coli, and should be washed after every use to clean the gears and cutting wheel.
To avoid rust, properly dry the area. If your can opener’s wheel has a build-up of dirty residue, Aisha has a simple solution: clip the wheels onto a piece of dry paper towel and crank the handle to remove any muck.
The water tanks or reservoirs of coffee machines commonly have covers to keep dust, grime, and insects out.
However, according to a survey by the health organization NSF International, where the highest concentration of germs may be found in the ordinary household, coffee machine water tanks are the sixth most germ-ridden location.
The wet, dark environment of a tank is ideal for germs and bacteria to thrive. In fact, the study found that half of the families had yeast and mould in their coffee machine water tanks, and one out of every ten had coliform, a bacteria prevalent in animal and human feces that can induce gastrointestinal discomfort and flu-like symptoms.
If you prepare coffee on a frequent basis, Aisha recommends rinsing the water reservoir at least once a week, if not everyday.
Germs can be found in unexpected areas such as countertops, knobs, and light switches.
While many people assume that the bathroom doorknob is the dirtiest, the NSF discovered that several places had higher bacteria counts, including:
Disinfecting wipes can be used to clean these areas once a week.
This will also get rid of any SARS-CoV-2 that may be persisting on surfaces like these that are made of plastic or steel.
Instead of reusing the same wipe, it’s best to use a new one for each place.
The nooks, crannies, and bristles of makeup applicators are prime real estate for germs, especially if you carry your makeup bag outside the house.
Germs that live on your makeup applicators can cause skin and eye infections.
The new coronavirus can also get on makeup applicators from your hands and make its way into your nose, mouth, and eyes.
This can allow the virus to get into your respiratory tract and cause the COVID-19 respiratory disease.
You may need to change how you store your makeup. Products should ideally be kept in a clean, dry space at room temperature.
To keep makeup brushes clean, you can wash them once a week with regular soap and water, or also use an alcohol spray on the brushes.
It’s recommended to wash makeup applicators at least once a day or before and after each use to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Many doctors recommend replacing cosmetics every 6 months and throwing out eye makeup if you’ve had an eye infection or a SARS-CoV-2 infection.
It’s no surprise that the area where you scrape dirt and grime off your body is infested with bacteria.
The bathroom is a wonderful environment for germ growth because of the wetness from a hot shower.
The following are some areas where you should pay careful attention:
On a daily basis, disinfect surfaces and handles with disinfectant, and once a week, undertake a complete cleaning.
An old toothbrush can be used to clean small areas such as around drains and taps. Bathroom towels should be replaced once a week, and toothbrushes should be replaced every 3 to 4 months.
Because soap and water can wash away the new coronavirus, it is less likely to live in your shower, sink, or drains.
However, you should disinfect all surfaces in your bathroom, especially if someone in your household has been infected with SARS-CoV-2 or has recovered from it.
Germs can thrive in wet laundry that has been left in a machine for even a short period of time.
After each wash, quickly transfer clean garments to the dryer. You may wish to run a second cycle if your items have been in the washer for more than 30 minutes.
Clean the washer drum with a sanitizing wipe if you’re using a laundry mat or a shared laundry facility.
Before folding clean clothes, make sure to wipe down any surfaces, especially public ones.
Warm or hot water is also more effective in killing both bacteria and viruses like the new coronavirus than cold water. Use hot water whenever possible to wash clothes you’ve worn in public.
If they roam outside, the can introduce germs and pathogens into your home.
According to a survey conducted by the National Sanitation Foundation, pet bowls ranked fourth on the list of places in the home with the most bacteria. Staph, yeast, and mold were also found on pet toys.
The novel coronavirus can be spread through pets and their bowls, toys, and beds.
COVID-19 does not usually affect pets, but they can carry and transmit the virus to you through your hands or face.
You can keep your pets from introducing dirt into the house by cleaning their paws or washing them before letting them in.
Here are some more pointers:
Every day, bacteria and viruses from the outdoors might enter your home via your shoes, gym bag, and even headphones.
The NSF discovered fecal contamination, yeast, and mold in 22 of the residences studied.
Because most of these devices are comprised of plastic or metal, the new coronavirus can dwell on them for up to three days.
On electronics, the majority of disinfectant wipes are effective against bacteria and viruses, including the novel coronavirus. However, if you want to be extra cautious, electronic-specific cleaning chemicals are available in stores.
Multiple family members and house guests frequently share remote controllers, computer keyboards, phones, and tablets.
The National Sanitation Foundation discovered yeast, mold, and staph on the computer keyboard, remote control, and video game controller in 22 houses.
Bacterial growth and diversity are also aided by surfaces.
A carpet, for example, can hold up to eight times its weight in dirt and dust, making it potentially dirtier than a city street.
As previously mentioned, the new coronavirus can survive for up to three days on plastic remotes and keyboards.
Clean your things using disinfectant wipes or simple water and soap, especially if they’ve come into touch with unclean surfaces such as tables or counters.
If you’ve gone out in public or come into contact with someone who has, wash your hands before touching any household objects.
Practicing Good Habits
One way of keeping bacteria and viruses from spreading is keeping things clean. Use some of these common household items:
• soap and water
• bleach and water
• disinfecting wipes with at least 60 percent ethanol or 70 percent isopropanol
• hand sanitizers with at least 60 percent ethanol
Here are other good habits to help stop the spread of bacteria and viruses, including the new coronavirus:
• Take off your shoes before walking through the house.
• Wash your hands for 20 to 30 seconds after using the bathroom and before and after touching raw food.
• Wear a cotton or linen mask to cover your face in public to prevent the spread of airborne viruses like the new coronavirus.
• Wash clothes that you’ve worn in public regularly in warm water (if possible).
• Stay at least 6 feet away from other people in public (physical or social distancing), especially if they have a confirmed case of COVID-19.
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow instead of your hand.
• Don’t touch your face with your bare hands.
• Try to limit going outdoors by working from home or socializing with friends and family through video chat.
While doctors agree that certain germ exposure is necessary for the development of healthy immune systems, Aisha believes that we should limit our exposure to bacteria that cause serious illnesses.
You can help maintain your kitchen more hygienic and safer by cleaning the above areas on a regular basis.
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