You probably think the toilet-seat is the dirtiest thing you come into contact with on a daily basis – but that’s far from the case! Everyday items lurking in your kitchen, your car and other areas of your home can contain several thousand times more-germs than the humble latrine.
While being a clean freak can actually lead to worsened immunity, poor gut-health and increased risk of allergies, a home overrun with certain germs can be equally as worrisome.
To strike a happy medium, and protect yourself from illness, make sure to add these 6 germ infested things to your household cleaning routine:
1.Bath Towels
Dead-skin cells and moisture provide a perfect breeding-ground for bacteria which is why towels can be a high risk item.
To avoid this, wash and replace all your towels at least every 3-days and use vinegar in place of fabric softener to remove odors and improve the absorbency of the fabric.
2.Dish Cloths and Sponges
The very items you use to clean your dishes and pans could actually be making them dirtier!
In one study, scientists discovered that there are 1-million bacteria per square inch on an average dish-cloth and a whopping 10-million per square inch on a kitchen-sponge making them 20-times dirtier than a toilet-seat!
To avoid harboring bacteria, wash your sponges, kitchen towels and cloths every other-day. You can also zap sponges in the microwave for two minutes to kill the germs. Allow cloths to dry out between uses, as the bugs can’t survive for more than a few hours in dry-fabrics.
3.Light Switches
A bathroom light switch can hold as much bacteria as a trash can, says a study conducted at Simmons College in Boston.
Hotel-rooms tested in a University of Houston study found that light switches are one of the most germ-contaminated fixtures in public-places.
Wiping-down of switches, particularly in the bathroom and kitchen, once a week should keep the germs in check.
4.Phones
The very device you spend 10-hours a day on could actually harbor 5-times the amount of bacteria that is found on a toilet-seat, according to research from the University of Arizona.
None of us would press a toilet up to our face, or tap-away on the rim for hours every-day, yet we do it with our phones.
The same goes for laptops, tablets and keyboards – each should be gently but thoroughly wiped each day with a soft-cloth.
5.The Car
With the average US commute taking 50-minutes, for many the car is an extension of the home. This is reflected in the fact that steering-wheels have 8-times more germs than a public toilet-seat.
The 10% of motorists who never clean their car should bear this in mind, particularly as so many people tend to eat on the go!
6.Cutting Boards
The average cutting board has about 200% more fecal bacteria than the average toilet-seat highlighting the importance of practicing hygienic food-preparation techniques. Keep separate boards for meats and vegetables and wash thoroughly with hot soapy water between uses.
DISCLAIMER: The materials and the information contained on Natural ways channel are provided for general and educational purposes only and do not constitute any legal, medical or other professional advice on any subject matter. None of the information on our videos is a substitute for a diagnosis and treatment by your health professional. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new diet or treatment and with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provide.
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