Did you know that there are some forms of bacteria that can divide (multiply) every 20 minutes?

Of course, the setting has to be at just the right temperature and they must have the required nutrients but if you think about the speed at which the bacteria are multiplying, you have to wonder if the cleaning you are doing right now is doing anything?

The speed at which bacteria can divide is also why sometimes you can feel sick so quickly after you are exposed to the infection. (Think about the times you wake up in the morning feeling great only to feel as though you are death warmed up right before you arrive at work.)

A study that was conducted looking at the most contaminated things in your home revealed something crazy like 340 bacteria on 30 different objects.

The problem with bacteria in your home is that they don’t just keep to themselves. They love to spread and can easily spread between people or from people to surfaces. The same study (as above) also looked at what the factors are that can influence germ life. It came up with these:

• Surface type
• Living habits
• Lifestyle
• Cleaning habits

So here are 6 of the common areas in your house that dirt tends to hide…

1. The kitchen

It’s been found that places, where food is either prepared or stored, have more bacteria contamination than anywhere else in the home. Think about that for a second. We’re talking about your kitchen, the place where you prepare and likely consume food. Think about that for a second.

The figures are scary too. Over 75% of sponges and dishcloths can contain Salmonella and E.Coli. Whereas only 9% of those bacteria can be found on bathroom taps and handles.

KEEP A LOOK OUT FOR THESE THINGS TO KEEP CLEAN:

• Cutting boards (plastic/wood/bamboo)
• Coffee machines
• Fridge – particularly places where unwashed/uncooked food is kept
• Kitchen sink and all countertops (even the ones you don’t use often)

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN KEEP THOSE AREAS CLEAN:

• Make sure you use either disinfectant wipes or a sterilised cloth soaked in a good amount of disinfectant liquid to wipe all taps, handles, surfaces, and countertops
• Heat up your damp sponges for one minute in the microwave to ensure you kill off any bacteria that may be lurking on them
• You can also soak your sponges in a bowl of warm water together with a half teaspoon of your usual concentrated bleach (like Javel).
• Be sure to change your dishcloths every week
• Always wash your hands before and after you deal with food

2. All Handles & switches

These are areas that you tend to pass over and think would not have much bacteria on them but they are in fact areas that you should be making an effort to keep even cleaner. Think about it. How many times a day your household can switch lights on and off, open doors, open cupboards. And it may not just be one person performing this action over and over, different people (spreading different germs) are making these areas of your house turn into bacteria breeding areas.

The most common areas like this to look out for are:

• Bathroom light switches
• Fridge handles
• Stove knobs
• Microwave knobs/controls or handles

Passing a disinfectant wipe or cloth soaked in disinfectant liquid over these areas once to twice a week can help to keep your house that much cleaner. Remember though, don’t pass the same wipe over every area. Use a new one and be sure to rinse the cloth each time before wiping a new area if you are using a cloth.

3. The bathroom

This may seem the like obvious place in the house where dirt is hiding and you’d be right. While it is not the most inhabited area of the house (with germs) it is still very important to keep this area clean. The moisture in the air in this area of the house because of the hot water from the shower turns this part of the house into a breeding ground for bacteria that require a bit of warmth to thrive. There are a few spots you need to pay special attention to in your bathroom, these are:

• The shower
• All the drains
• Taps/shower head
• The floor area around the toilet
• Bath towels
• Toothbrushes

This space is one that requires daily attention because of how frequent we use the bathroom and how probable it is that bacteria and germs will be present each day. Be sure to wipe down all surfaces in the bathroom with a disinfectant and perform a thorough cleaning session once a week. For those small, hard to reach spaces, take an old toothbrush and use it to help clean. (Make sure you keep this toothbrush far from the ones being used)

Remember that as the summer months approach, the temperature can make this area an even more dangerous germ area. Replace your towels at least once a week (more if they begin to smell quickly) and be sure to not let them sit and stay damp. They should be aired out and allowed to dry each time to prevent the spread of even more germs.

4. Laundry

In some cases, your bathroom may double up as a laundry area too. This means that when you do your washing, it’s best to remove it from the machine as soon as you can. Allowing the clothes to sit in the machine is the perfect way to allow germs to flourish and multiply. You should try to transfer the clothes to the dryer or hang them out to dry within at least 30 minutes from when their wash cycle finishes. And if you happen to forget, and leave the clothes in for longer than this – anything after 30 minutes, it’s actually better to have them run in another cycle instead of removing them.

5. Living Room or Home office

This is another common area in the house which will see many hands and feet passing through. Things like remote controls, keyboards, phones, and game controllers are prime spots for bacteria to be present. Studies have found that things like yeast and mould can be found on these items which is why it’s worth making sure you keep this area clean.

If you have carpets in this area of the house, this makes it even more susceptible to bacteria because things like carpets can hold up to 8 times its own weight in dust and dirt. This makes this item dirtier than things like streets!

Let’s not even get started on the couch… This is another major problem area for things like dust mites to live and thrive. The amount of dust and dirt that your couches can hold can be scary to realise but you can keep these items clean.

Wipe down all remotes, surfaces, and items regularly and be sure to do a thorough cleaning of the area at least once a week.

6. Personal Items

If you have a handbag or bag of any kind, you could be transporting germs in and out of your house every single day. Things like earphones, phones, bags, wallets, lunch boxes, and keys are easy ways to do this.

Things like yeast and mould can easily propagate on these items that you are handling often and most likely every day. Check out electronic-safe wipes that can help keep these items cleaner and less infected with germs.

Remember that doing things like washing your hands can go a very long way in combatting germs in your house.

Struggling to keep your carpets, couches, and mattresses clean?

Dust and dirt trapped in these items can cause people to develop allergies or aggravate their allergies.

Book your FREE cleaning session with us today to see how much easier germs can be cleaned from your house.