The current health crisis has put everyone on high alert and raised awareness on cleanliness and sanitation. However, are you sure that your own home is completely safe from microscopic threats? Even a vigilant homeowner can miss a few spots when cleaning, but here are 10 areas around your home that you may have overlooked.
Bathroom
Unsurprisingly, your bathroom can be a cesspit full of contaminants. The following locations need extra cleaning and decontamination the next time you spruce up your home.
Tabletops
When you flush your toilet with the lid open, you are unwittingly aerosolizing microbes and spreading them in the air. These liquid particles will land on every surface of your bathroom, but you should pay attention to frequently used tabletops. Wipe down and disinfect the surfaces of your sinks or bathroom vanity tables. Wash them first with soap and water before using commercial disinfectants.
Shower curtain
You slough off dead skin cells and bacteria every time you shower, and these microscopic debris ends up in the water. This water splashes on your shower curtains, turning them into the perfect breeding ground for mold and other fungi. Routinely change your shower curtains and spray them with vinegar and water. Wash them thoroughly in your washing machine every month for added cleanliness.
Toilet bowl
Most homeowners focus only on cleaning and scrubbing the inside of their toilet bowls but the exterior parts such as the rim and outer shell need cleaning, too. Aside from mold, microscopic colonies of bacteria and viruses can thrive in the underside of the toilet. When cleaning your toilet, use commercial disinfectants to scrub away these microbes from the exterior.
Alternatively, you can use natural ingredients. Combining baking soda and bleach or baking soda and white vinegar is a good way to clean and disinfect toilet bowls.
Toothbrushes
It’s a bad idea to leave your toothbrushes out in the open air of your bathroom. Aside from aerosolized bacteria from your toilet, sprays from chemical products like cleaners, perfumes and other cosmetic products can land on the bristles. Store toothbrushes in covered holders or buy toothbrush caps. Remember to replace them every three months to maintain optimum cleanliness.
Kitchen
Kitchens are heavily trafficked areas and are routinely exposed to raw food items. The trash can and cooking areas tend to attract pests. Include the following areas when you sanitize your kitchen for maximum protection.
Chopping board
Chopping boards are perfect breeding grounds for viruses because you cut raw meat on them. Knives and cleavers also leave grooves in them that can hide contaminants even after a vigorous washing. There are different cleaning procedures for plastic and wooden cutting boards. After rinsing surface debris, you should scrub the whole board with soap and warm water before sanitizing with the appropriate cleaning agent.
Coffee maker
Warm water and organic debris create the ideal environment for bacteria to breed. Because of this, the water reservoir in your coffee maker might as well be a love motel. You probably also overlook cleaning the reservoir and focus on the pot instead. You should clean the reservoir every week with hot water and soap before running vinegar through the coffee maker for good measure.
Refrigerator handle
How many times a day do people open your refrigerator door to peer longingly at the contents. This increased contact make it more likely that people will transfer microbes on it and pass them to you. Wipe it down with dishwashing soap on a damp cloth regularly, particularly if you have visitors. Don’t use harsh cleaners to avoid contaminating your food with chemicals.
Sponge
Sponges routinely sop up water filled with food debris, turning them into smorgasbords for bacteria. You can detect if your sponge is contaminated if it smells bad. Disinfect it by soaking it and microwaving it for a minute and a half. And buy new sponges once a month.
Electronics
Gadgets and devices are now part of everyday life and they’re never too far from your fingertips. This means that you can be putting a veritable Petri dish in your palm every time you pick them up.
Remote control
Just like cellphones, remote controls are easily overlooked when cleaning because they’re ubiquitous. However, the buttons on your remote can be full of germs. This is particularly harmful if you snack when eating. Use disinfectant wipes to clean your remote every day.
Keyboards
Keyboards can be tricky to clean and sanitize because they’re delicate instruments. However, they may also be secret colonies for viruses and microbes. Use a brush and a small air bulb to clear the underside of the buttons from debris. Wipe down the keyboard with a solution that’s at least 70 percent alcohol to sanitize it effectively.
Cleanliness is more important now than ever. Ensuring that every nook and cranny around your home can mean protecting you and your family from a lengthy hospital stay.
