Did you know germs from flushing the toilet can last in the air for up to 2 hours after flushing? Gross!
I'm a germophobe and visions of floating bacteria in a bathroom scares me. The problem is I am not a neat freak. And I know overly friendly germs are lurking...
Because a squirt of hand sanitizer can only do so much good, it's time to for me to break out the cleaning supplies. Mary Anne Dunkin in a WebMD article lists six surprising places germs live and even thrive in your home as well as your office. Here are Dunkins cleaning tips:
Kitchen Sink
The problem: Leftover food particles from plates can end up multiplying before they reach the dishwasher. According to WebMD, the sink zone is a breeding ground for illness-causing bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella.
The fix:
- wash sink with a solution of bleach and water once a day
- let the bleach solution run down the drain
- remove the drain plug and clean it
- wash your hands
Toothbrushes
The problem: "Flushing the toilet sends a spray of bacteria- and virus-contaminated water droplets into air." These germs can survive in the air for at least two hours after each flush before landing on surfaces such as your toothbrush."
The fix:
- place your toothbrush away from your toilet
- close toilet lid when flushing
- put toothbrush in a place where it can air out and dry between uses
- replace your toothbrush often
- replace toothbrush after you've been sick
Salt and Pepper Shaker
The problem: Cold viruses can live on surfaces you touch when you are sick.
The fix:
- wipe off the salt and pepper shaker at each meal
- wash your hands before and after you use seasonings
TV Remote Control
The problem: People don't wash hands regularily and then they touch and also cough on the remote.
The fix:
- wipe remote with a bleach or alcohol wipe daily
- practice regular hand-washing
Computer Keyboard
The problem: In a recent study "4 of 33 sampled keyboards had enough germs to be considered health hazards. One had levels of germs five times higher than that found on a toilet seat."
The fix:
- wash your hands before and after using your computer
- don't drop crumbs into your keyboard
- clean your keyboard by carefully shaking out the crumbs or vacuum it
- wipe the keys with alcohol or bleach wipes that are not too wet
- wipe the mouse
Bathtub
The problem: "A recent study found staphylococcus bacteria in 26% of the tubs tested. A separate study had even worse findings for whirlpool tubs."
The fix:
- disinfect tub with bleach or bathroom cleaner after bath
- dry tub with a clean towel after use
- whirlpool tubs: clean out the pipes in tub
The best advice? Remember to wash your hands often--and don't stop washing too soon. Wash for at least 20 seconds or the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday song twice. According to WebMD, if you depend on hand sanitizers to stay clean, remember to try to wash hands at a sink at least after every 4th use because the hand sanitizers build up on hands.
(Photo by Plutor with processing by me.)