“Nine-tenths of our sickness can be prevented by right thinking plus right hygiene - nine-tenths of it!”
Henry Miller
- Door Knobs and Light Switches
Door knobs and light switches are frequent-contact surfaces in every home. These surfaces are home to viruses and germs that can easily spread throughout a home with each touch. Use disinfectant spray to rid door knobs and light switches of bacteria. Disinfectant sprays are recommended for these surfaces because the spray can reach every nook and cranny that disinfectant wipes might miss.
- Toothbrushes
Toothbrushes are trapped in an area where bacteria flies around constantly. The area that we clean and relieve ourselves in is full of harmful bacteria. Typically, people place their toothbrushes in a holder on the bathroom counter. When we flush the toilet, bacteria is shot up 6 feet into the air and settles on areas such as the counter, sink, floor, and yes, even your toothbrush. Even with toothbrush covers, bacteria can still grow abundantly. The best way to keep these oral tools safe is by keeping them in a medicine cabinet or drawer. Flushing with the toliet seat down to prevent the spread of bacteria is also encouraged. The American Dental Association recommends replacing toothbrushes every 3 months.
- Phones
In the current era, we have our smart phones on hand every day, multiple times a day. This causes an amalgamation of germs on our phones. Scientists from the University of Arizona have found that mobile phones have 10 times more bacteria than most toilet seats. Use sanitizer wipes to scrub away germs multiple times a week.
- Faucet Handles
Faucet handles are also frequent-contact surfaces that collect many germs throughout the day. According to the National Science Foundation, these handles hold over 600 times more micrograms per square inch than a toilet handle (Reader’s Digest). Keep this area disinfected!
- Remotes
We pick up our remotes daily, and naturally so, form a heaping amount of bacteria on its surface. A study from the University of Arizona found TV remote controls in hospital rooms to be the object covered with the most bacteria, even beating the toilet bowl handle (Infection Control). Be sure to give these a good cleaning at least once a week.
- Keyboard and Mouse
Research has found that keyboards are 20,000 times more dirty than a toilet seat, phones being 9,000 times more dirty (Huffington Post). It is essential to keep your desk area free from bacteria. Use sprays for hard to reach surfaces and wipes for those easy to reach. If you use a keyboard and mouse at work, don’t forget to disinfect them as well.
- Most Importantly, Your Hands
Since our early ages, we have been constantly reminded to keep our hands clean and free from bad bacteria. From the moment we wake up, we are greeted by bacteria, both good and bad, and our hands are typically the first thing to make contact. Germs can live on the hands for up to 3 hours, and the amount of germs doubles when you use the restroom. Your hands also spread germs 1,000 times faster when they are wet versus dry. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing your hands for 20 seconds, turning off the water while scrubbing for conservation. Always remember to wash your hand before and after eating, after using the restroom, before washing your face, and also coming home after being out and about.
Works Cited
https://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/most-germs-bathroom/