Statistics say that people in the UAE spend 80% of their time indoors, so controlling potential health risks inside the home are crucial for a safe environment.
Guides spoke to Manar Alkassar, founder and managing director of Helpling Middle East - a cleaning services booking portal, who shared some shocking hygiene risks, which we are all probably exposing ourselves to.
1. Your kitchen sponge is probably dirtier than your toilet seat
Pay attention to the areas where you prepare food in the kitchen. Every time you make something, be sure to wipe down the worktops and chopping boards in order to prevent cross contamination. Don’t just wipe it over with the kitchen sponge, make sure you are sterilising the area.
Did you know?
- Tea towels and sponges are some of the dirtiest items in your home. Research has found that sponges can have more than 400 times the bacteria present on your toilet seat.
- You can prolong the life of your kitchen sponges by microwaving them for 30 seconds after use. Make sure they’re damp though; you don’t want them to catch fire.
2. E.coli and Salmonella thrive in your sink
Let’s be honest, most of us don’t rinse out the sink after using it, which means small pieces of food or dirt build up, eventually leading up to the possibility of the formation of E.coli or salmonella.
Did you know?
- Food waste and dirt that sit in the U-bend underneath the sink provide bacteria with a warm and damp environment to grow in.
- Disinfect plugholes and drains regularly; soap isn’t enough.
3. Do you clean the remote control?
Yes we now clean our keyboards but do you do the same with other electronic devices you use frequently? Remote controls often get overlooked causing them to become a hotbed for germ build-up.
Did you know?
- You could clean your keyboards, remote controls and even light switches with sterilising wipes to avoid germ build up.
4. Your hands are a hotbed for bacteria
Everyday members of your household bring in millions of germs. Bacteria can survive for up to 24 hours on uninhabitable surfaces – which means plenty of time for transmission to other people. So remember to wash your hands properly when you get home.
Did you know?
- Wash at least 20 seconds and don’t forget to dry properly; bacteria replicate 500 times faster on wet hands.
5. Towels are the worst offenders
Towels, no matter whether in the kitchen or bathroom, can be a hub for germs. They’re reused and often unwashed for weeks, being used by multiple users; located in warm, humid and even dark conditions in the bathroom – the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
Did you know?
- Towels collect a lot of dead skin cells and moisture; change them once a week to keep them hygienic. Spraying towels with a vinegar solution will help prewash.
- Hang towels straight and not scrunched up or on a hook, in order to allow for proper drying
6. The flush, not the bowl
Surprisingly, toilets are generally clean places. Most people focus on cleaning the toilet seat and as a result, it often ends up much cleaner than most places. However, the most common toilet hygiene risk is in the flush.
Did you know?
- A study from New York University showed that particles are thrown up into the air when you flush and can splash out of the bowl to reach surprising distances. With this in mind, it is highly recommend one flushes with the lid closed and store toothbrushes other oral hygiene equipment away from the toilet bowl.
7. Sleeping with the enemy
If you aren’t changing your sheets regularly, your bed could be saturated with millions of skin cells, along with secreted fluid, sweat and oils. This organic waste, left on the sheets, attracts dust mites that can provoke allergies like asthma, rhinitis and the like.
Did you know?
- Bed linen should to be changed once a week and washed at 60 degrees
- Vacuuming your mattress will also help remove bed bugs and mites.
