It’s impossible to completely rid your home
of germs. However, if you want to keep your family safe, it’s important to
control the spread of bacteria, viruses and fungi. Germs commonly found in
houses include MRSA, E. Coli, Norovirus and clostridium difficile. If
you’re not sure how best to prevent a buildup of bugs in your household, take a
look at the following tips.
Regular and thorough cleaning is a must
First and foremost, stock up on cleaning
and hygiene products. Having the right resources to hand makes keeping your
property spic and span much easier. It’s now easy to buy a range of hygiene and
medical supplies, including
antibacterial wipes, hand sanitizers, detergents and more.
Bear in mind that when you clean surfaces
in your home, it’s important to dry them thoroughly afterwards because any
remaining water can serve as a breeding ground for germs. Disinfect and dry
your cloths and sponges too. In the space of just eight hours, one bacterium on
a damp cloth can multiply to six million.
Focus on the danger areas for germs when
you’re cleaning too. For example, your bathroom and kitchen should be your main
focus of attention, and it’s important to keep the floors throughout your home
free from dirt. Also, if one of your family members falls ill with an
infectious illness like a cold, the flu or a stomach bug, take extra care to
sanitise your home.
Try to keep your kids’ toys clean too.
Plastic items should be washed on a regular basis, and bear in mind that many soft
toys can be cleaned in the washing machine.
Encourage regular hand washing
Encourage your children to wash their hands
frequently. You should make sure your tots wash after going to the toilet and
before and after they handle food. Getting them into good habits from an early
age can help to control the spread of germs around your home.
Take care in the kitchen
Certain foods should raise alarm bells when
it comes to germs too. For example, fish and meat, particularly raw poultry,
must be handled with care. Always wash and dry your hands after handling these
high-risk products, and clean down your surfaces immediately after use. It’s
also best to use separate chopping boards for meat and vegetables.
Be pedantic when it comes to your pets
Pets may look cute, but they often have
more than their fair share of germs. Cats and dogs can be particularly
problematic because they are often given virtually free rein within homes.
Whether you have a feline or a canine companion, or indeed any other type of
pet, make sure you wash your hands after you’ve handled them or touched their
food, toys, litter trays or other objects. Also, keep pet food away from human
food and store any dishes, tin openers and other products that you use for pet
food separately.
You’ll never be able to eliminate germs
from your home, but by following basic principles like these, you can boost
hygiene and help to keep your family safe.
This post is brought to you in association with Steroplast.