A Few Germ Facts You May Not Know
It’s easy to be a little bombarded by all of the “germ facts” we have thrown at us today, but what is the truth about germs? How can we be sure that the commercials for Lysol and other cleaning products aren’t simply making the germ scenario seem a little worse than it really is in order to encourage people to use more of their products? We are going to take a look at some figures regarding germs and the types that can be found in the home. We will also learn about the true places that germs reallylike to lurk.
The word “germ” is a catch-all phrase used to describe bacteria and viruses that can be spread from person to person or object to person. Studies show that about 80% of the infections many of us suffer are caused by germs that are transferred by people. That’s a pretty large figure! There is no doubt that washing our hands after using the restroom and before and after handling food is good practice, but that may not be enough. Take a look at the following germ facts to learn how you can cut down on the bacteria in your home.
The key to lessening the spread of germs in the home is to figure out where the germs are really hiding. You can probably remember hearing that a door knob is one of the largest breeding grounds for germs in the home. The truth? Door knobs are relatively low on the scale when it comes to harboring bacteria because they are short on moisture. Bacteria love moisture. In a typical household setting, a desk harbors around 400 times more germs than the amount found on a toilet seat. The kitchen sink is another heavy breeding ground for germs. In fact, your kitchen sink is likely to contain much more bacteria than your entire bathroom. The area of the skin most preferred by bacteria is the metal screen that rests at the end of the faucet’s spout. Try to think of how many times you turn the kitchen tap on. Each time this happens, the screen gets a replenishment of water but it also takes much longer for the screen to dry out between tap uses due to the size of the holes in the screen.
Your vacuum cleaner is also a likely place to find excessive bacterial growth. Although vacuum cleaners that use a bag have a much higher number of bacteria, vacuums of all types can harbor bacteria in the teeth of the roller head as well as in the brush attachments. Consider all of the food particles and dirt that your vacuum sucks up. A portion of these contaminants will be retained in the brushes and the bag which provides a veritable feast for the bacteria that reside there.
You may have been aware that dish sponges and rags are riddled with bacteria, but what about your kitchen towel? Many people grab for the towel to tidy small spills and splatters that are so common in the kitchen but fail to wash the towels directly after doing so. Using the towel to wipe up a bit of splatter from meat juice and then using it to dry one’s hands later on really isn’t a good idea! In fact, a recent study has shown that 7% of kitchen towels were contaminated with MRSA—the superbug that is so difficult to treat that it can prove fatal! Kitchen towels are also likely to house many other horrible bacteria such as e. coli.
Some of these germ facts may have opened your eyes to the true places that germs like to call home. We have a few preventative tips that you can use to minimize the spread of bacteria in these areas. In areas where you are able to easily reach, such as the kitchen sink, faucet screen, and computer desk, use an antimicrobial spray or disinfectant cleaner at least once a week. This will drastically cut down on the amount of bacteria that are allowed to grow there. For items like your dish towel or kitchen rag, wash them on a full cycle with hot water and detergent. Short cycles will not fully remove the bacteria from cloth. Also be mindful of what you use to clean your kitchen with. The rag that cleans your dishes should never be used to clean counter tops or the stove top. It is recommended that you use paper towels to clean counter and stove tops as this will prevent the spread of bacteria. Also be sure to clean and replace your kitchen towels and rags frequently.