You may scrub better than Mr. Clean, but no matter how spotless you try to keep your home, it can still harbor unwanted germs. Kelly A. Reynolds is an environmental microbiologist at the University of Arizona. She says you’re more likely to get sick from a germ in your own home than from any other source. So, on that note, here’s where germs are lurking, and how to get rid of them. We found these tips in Health magazine.
•The bathroom floor. Believe it or not, there are more germs on your bathroom floor than on the toilet seat. The problem is flushing. When you do this, microscopic fecal matter is sprayed into the air and lands on the floor – where moisture helps germs grow. Add to that all the germs and bacteria from the soles of your shoes. The fix? Easy. Just be sure to close the lid on the toilet before you flush. Also, mop your floor once a week with a bleach-based cleanser, and make sure you clean and dry the mats on your bathroom floor. Damp ones encourage mold and bacteria to grow.
•Your cutting boards. Pathogens can hide in foods like leafy greens, potatoes and berries. Those are three of the riskiest foods regulated by the FDA. They’re thought to be responsible for 20,000 illnesses over the past two decades. You already know that washing your food removes some germs, but after that – use your senses to help guide you. Dr. Michael G. Schmidt, from the Department of microbiology at the Medical University of South Carolina, says that we can’t see microbes - but we can often smell and feel them. If your food smells or feels funny, throw it out. Also, use a glass or plastic cutting board, because they’re non-porous and most resistant to germs. And when you’re done, be sure to wash it in hot, soapy water before putting it away.
•Your shoes. Whatever sticks to your shoes comes into your house - including irritating pollen, pesticide residue from the lawn, and lead-contaminated dust. Thankfully, the fix for this is also easy: remove your shoes before entering your home, and leave them at the door.
