Household germ prevention

Regardless of how healthy we are, anyone can succumb to colds and the flu, especially during the winter and early spring months. The nature of life means that we are bound to come into contact with germs, whether at work, in public places or from children. We must also remember that some germs can be healthy for our immune system.

There are however, plenty of ways in which we can try and prevent the spread of household germs. The professional domestic cleaning company, MOLLY MAID has some ideas on how to do help to this around the home.

Handwashing: This is, of course, the most critical way to prevent the spread of germs passing from one person to another. So, it is important to ensure that all family members wash their hands thoroughly and regularly.

Cloths and sponges: It is advisable to use disposable cloths or paper towels when you know that someone in the household is sick. If this is not possible, try using microfibre cloths, which can be washed and dried easily and quickly.

Toilets: It is good practise to keep the bowl and the u-bend clean by using a toilet cleaner and then wipe the seat, rim and handle with a disinfectant ensuring that you dispose of the wipe or wash the cloth in the washing machine before using it anywhere else.

Baths and showers: Wipe the shower or bath with a special bathroom cleaner or a mixture of vinegar making sure that you wipe walls and shower trays thoroughly including the handles too. Then rinse with hot water. It is important to wash the shower curtain frequently in the washing machine as these can be a breeding ground for bacteria.

Kitchen: All kitchen surfaces should be wiped clean regularly using a kitchen cleaner or disinfectant depending on the surface. Separate chopping boards for meat and vegetables are also a good idea. Hands must be washed after handling raw meat and it is advisable to wash them after handling any type of food.

Toys: Sharing toys with smaller children are a common transmitter of germs, so in order to prevent germs from spreading make sure you clean hard or plastic toys by washing them and drying them thoroughly. Some toys can be washed in the top shelf of a dishwasher on a low setting. Soft toys should also be washed on a delicate cycle in the washing machine, but please read the label first as you wouldn’t want to damage your child’s favourite cuddly toy!

Laundry: Washing detergent has come a long way in its technology with biological detergent being used on a more economical setting (as low as 30 degrees) to ensure that clothes are clean. If someone in the family has been ill, it would be advisable to launder towels and sheets on a higher temperature to ensure the prevention of further germs. Also, consider running the washing machine on empty once a week, either at a high temperature or with a chemical disinfectant to prevent the growth of germs.

Door handles: Incorporate the cleaning of door handles, light and plug switches into the weekly cleaning routine. This will help to keep the bugs at bay and limit them transmitting from one person to another.

Appliance handles: Make sure that all appliance handles that we come into contact with regularly are cleaned, such as the oven, the kettle, toaster, fridge and even washing machine. These are breeding grounds for bacteria as they tend to be touched when our hands are damp from cooking or washing up.

Opening Windows: It is always tempting to keep the windows closed during the colder spells, however, it is a good idea to let the fresh air in and the bad air out! Good ventilation also helps with keeping condensation and mildew at bay.

For more advice on preventing the spread of germs on your electronic devices, please see our blog on 3^rd February.

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