Seven hygiene hotspots in your home

Bacteria can hide in so many areas in your home. They might find their way into your food leading to stomach problems, get on your skin or into your eyes and result in serious infections.

It is especially risky if kids are playing around the house and some of these hotspots could introduce a whole lot of bacteria to their tiny bodies. To avoid such exposure, here are house areas you need to pay special attention to in order to ensure that bacteria no longer thrives in your home. 

1. The toilet seats and covers

Toilets aren’t the cleanest place in the house and the seats and covers usually carry a lot of the germs. As you flush the toilet, ensure you close the toilet cover to prevent backsplash. This means that any germs that would have flown into the air get contaned. As you clean your toilet, remember to clean the seats and covers as well.

2. Door handles

The first thing you touch when you get home is the door handles. So a lot of the bacteria from the things you handled outside find a home on your handles. Therefore you need to wipe them down regularly. And one of the first things you should do when you get home is wash your hands with soap.

3. Cleaning sponges and cloths

Cleaning sponges aren’t often at the top of the list when you’re cleaning your home. A lot of the dirt doesn’t get cleaned off properly after using them. Most of the time, they might even stay damp for days, which is a chance for bacteria to multiply. And when you use the same sponge for weeks and months, you’re spreading the bacteria all over your home. Wash them properly to disinfect them and hang them out dry.

4. Kitchen sink

This is where you wash dishes, fruits, meats and veggies, hands and so many other things. Some of the dirt and food particles left behind can sit in the sink for days and pose a health risk when not properly cleaned out. The sink should be disinfected with soap and water on a daily basis to prevent any illnesses.

5. Your kid’s toys

Protect your kids from disease-causing germs by cleaning their toys. Those toys often get into contact with dirt especially when played with outside and some kids might even sneeze on the toys and put them in their mouths later, unaware of the consequences. When playtime is over, you’ll probably pick the same toys and put them in the toy box assuming they’re clean because they look clean. Make it a habit to clean your kid’s toys often.

6. The remote control

The surprising number of bacteria found on remote controls is terrifying. Remotes often get handled with unclean hands and since they don’t look like much of a health risk, you can be tempted to ignore them. The reality is that remotes carry bacteria that potentially cause diarrhea, pneumonia, UTIs and skin infections. To clean a remote control, use a cotton swab dipped in soapy water so you can maneuver around the buttons easily. Ensure to remove the excess water before using the cotton swabs so you don’t damage your remote. 

7. Carpet

These usually carry a lot of dust which isn’t so great especially for people with dust allergies. Some vacuums usually suck out some of the dirt on them but a huge amount still remains lodged in the fibers. If you can, get a multipurpose vacuum that gets rid of the dust and washes the carpet at the same time. You can also ensure that you wash the carpet or take it for cleaning often.