Tips to germ proof your home

Diya Kumar, 2 year old, loves playing on the ground. On a typical summer evening, you would find her rolling around on the family’s room with her sister – the same floor which has been used through the day by the maid, the dog and more. It does worry the parents that their children are getting exposed to the bacteria around the house. Using the same hands on the surfaces where the bacterias are lurking, the parents are concerned about what their little one is picking up the floor.

Some experts believe that having some bacteria is actually a good thing. But saying that, how to do you germ proof your house without going overboard?

Where will you find the bacteria?

Normally, the most bacteria-filled place in a home is the kitchen sink where all the dirt and uneaten food winds up.

The best solution: Don’t let the food you eat raw, such as fruits and vegetables, touch the sink surface before you eat them. And if you let utensils or vegetables hang around in the sink, rinse them before use.

Sponges are also a hot spot for bacteria and should be washed frequently.You can put them in the dishwasher, or get them wet and microwave for 30 seconds.

Linen:  They may look clean, but you sweat on them every night and rub your skin against them, shedding bacteria in the process. Change your sheets once a week. You can also add antibacterial cleanser in the water while washing them. Ensure that you regularly clean your sofa covers and other related fabrics regularly with disinfectant sprays. It is very important that you wash your hands regularly after each wash and also clean your washing machine with a hot water cycle to get rid of the germs in there.

Tools you’ll use to germ proof your house

• Disinfecting spray
• Rubbing alcohol, cotton balls
• Washer, dryer
• Bleach
• Dishwasher

Try natural remedies for a germ free home

Many store bought 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 a great way to keep your home germfree. Fantastic for cleaning everything from countertops to carpets, this nontoxic, multipurpose product eliminates more than 90 percent of bacteria and more than 80 percent of mold and germs.Some alternatives such as lemon juice, tea tree oil, oregano oil, or lavender oil have properties that kill microbes.

 

Cutting board

While the question of whether wood or plastic is a cleaner surface for a cutting board, it is more about food-borne pathogens than about flu virus, it’s worth noting that germs of any kind can live on either one.

So which is safer?

Plastic cutting boards can go right in the dishwasher, a virtue that’s won favour among many germ slayers. But if you are washing by hand, a knife-scarred plastic cutting board holds onto bacteria, and wooden cutting boards do not. Plastic boards must be washed in a dishwasher. Wooden boards should be made of hard, closely-grained woods, such as maple.

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, remote controls, phones, and your kids’ toys.

Dry it out

Make sure your sponges and cleaning rags don’t become sources for the very germs they are intended to wipe out! To prevent spreading additional germs, thoroughly wash and dry out your cleaning sponges, dish towels, and washcloths between uses.

Wash up

Make sure you wash your hands before and after handling food, after going to the bathroom, and when you come home from being out and about doing errands (just think about how many other hands were on that grocery cart before yours). If you have little ones, teach them how important it is to wash their hands to prevent germs.

Wipe it down

Keep antibacterial disposable wipes on hand in spots where your family members can quickly reach them to wipe their hands, etc.

Important points to be remembered:

• Use individual hand towel, brushes, combs and other essentials to avoid the spread of germs.
• Avoid storing damp sponges after cleaning. Dispose them away immediately.
• Clean the vacuum filter regularly as this can contain a lot of allergens.
• Maintain hygiene inside your home especially in areas like bathrooms and others. Also it is necessary that you maintain hygiene in places like community swimming pools, public toilets, sports room and equipments, playground and a grocery store.

• Feather dusters tend to move dust around the room rather than capture it for good. Instead, try a microfiber or electrostatic cloth.
•  Slide your furniture around if it’s not heavy or ask a family member or colleague for help. You’ll be surprised by the amount of dirt and dust that hides under your couch or desk.