It is also one of the most often overlooked parts when it comes to cleaning. While bathrooms aren’t as germ-ridden as kitchens, they still harbor their share of disease-causing bacteria that lurk everywhere, from the sink faucet to the towels.
But by changing some habits, you can make your bathroom as sterile as an operating room. Thus, you contribute greatly to keeping your family healthy and preventing the spread of disease.
Here are some tips for stopping germs in the bathroom:
Start by decluttering.
Get rid of any unnecessary items that you don’t use regularly. This will not only make cleaning easier, but will also help reduce the risk of mess-related accidents.
Use color coding for towels.
This way everyone has their own color and family members don’t swap towels and bugs. If people bury their face in towels, they do more than dry themselves, they deposit germs. If you don’t want to color code, use a waterproof magic marker on the white towels, so each family member knows which one is theirs.
Do not share toothbrushes.
Make sure everyone has their own toothbrush by color-coding it. Also, don’t let your toothbrush come into contact with other toothbrushes stored in the same holder. Germs can be transmitted this way. A good rule to follow is to keep them at least a centimeter apart.
Replace your toothbrush regularly after suffering from an illness such as a cold or the flu. for the simple reason is that germs may remain present even after recovery. Here’s why ! When you brush your teeth, you remove plaque and particles. So toothbrushes can be contaminated with bacteria, blood, saliva and oral debris. This contamination can be transmitted to you.
Wipe heavily touched surfaces.
Use disinfectant sprays or wipes on faucets, toilets, cabinet handles, door handles, shower handles, and any other surface you touch with your hands. These sprays or wipes kill germs on contact.
Rhinoviruses that cause colds can survive for up to three hours. So cleaning surfaces with a disinfectant can help stop infections, according to the National Institutes of Health. Don’t forget the toilet brush handle and the plunger handle. These are high impact areas that we don’t think about, let alone clean up.
Focus on the surfaces.
Using a disinfectant cleaner, wipe down all surfaces, including toilets, sinks, counters, showers and tubs. Pay special attention to areas prone to moisture, such as around the toilet or in the shower.
Choose functional tissues.
The latest fabric trend is virucidal fabrics. These paper tissues prevent the spread of viruses in the house, because they kill them when you blow your nose, which avoids leaving them lying around.
Wash your hands after defecating.
It may be second nature now, but you should always wash your hands after using the bathroom. You should also wash your hands after coming into contact with blood or body fluids, including vomit, nasal secretions, and saliva. And remember: Wash your hands after cleaning any part of the bathroom.
Let the water run.
If you haven’t used your shower in a while, run the hot water on full power for a minute or two to kill germs before you shower.
Clean tubs and counters.
These items should be cleaned to help reduce the spread of viruses and bacteria. Here’s what can happen if you don’t: Germs can line the walls (of the tub) and you can easily touch the surface and then your mouth.
Don’t forget the flooring.
Be sure to regularly sweep and mop your bathroom floor. If you have tile or vinyl flooring, you might also consider using a steam cleaner for an extra deep clean.
With these effective and simple measures, you will be able to eliminate all types of bacteria and make your living space clean in the truest sense of the word.
