As parents, our top priority is to protect our children from harmful germs and bacteria. With common respiratory viruses, hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) viruses, and other harmful germs lurking around, keeping our little ones healthy and safe is more important than ever. We can do this by regularly cleaning and disinfecting our homes to eliminate any potential threats.
Learn more: What You Need To Know About Hand, Foot And Mouth Disease (HFMD)
However, when it comes to keeping one’s home clean and germ-free, many families focus on noticeable areas like the bathroom or dining table. You may be surprised to learn that there are several more areas in our homes where germs can hide and thrive, potentially compromising your family’s health. Read on and discover several overlooked places where germs could be lurking.
1. Door knobs and switches
How often have you coughed or sneezed into your hands before opening doors or turning off a light switch? Such incidents are common, and coming into contact with these high-touch surfaces transfers bacteria and viruses from your hands, creating a potential for cross-contamination.
Viruses and bacteria can stay infectious for several hours to days, infecting family members should they touch these surfaces. Therefore, it is vital to disinfect door knobs and light switches regularly using a surface disinfectant spray. Implementing this simple practice can significantly reduce the risk of germ transmission within your home.
Applying the surface disinfectant spray after cleaning, allows the solution to eradicate any viruses lingering on these high-touch surfaces. Always use a fresh wipe when cleaning a new spot instead of reusing the same one. If you use a cleaning cloth, rinse it with water before wiping another surface.
2. Work desks and other high-touch surfaces
Many families overlook objects like remote controls, computer keyboards, and mobile phones during their weekly cleaning sessions. However, like door knobs and switches, these items accumulate dirt, oils, and bacteria from your hands, making them potential reservoirs for harmful pathogens.
Worse still, certain devices including your remote and phone are prone to being dropped, stuffed between sofa cushions, or coughed and sneezed on, leaving plenty of germs on them. Some may even have a habit of snacking while typing on a keyboard, leaving food crumbs that attract pests.
Remember to keep your work desk, keyboard, TV remote, and mobile phones germ-free by disinfecting them regularly. After a gentle wipe-down, use a suitable disinfectant to ensure these areas are sparkling clean. For extra protection, use a non-toxic surface disinfectant spray to disinfect these surfaces regularly. Keep those germs at bay!
3. Kitchen countertops
Studies have discovered that areas where food is stored and prepared contain more bacteria and faecal contamination than other places in the home – even the washroom. From raw meat to fresh produce, your kitchen countertop can come into contact with various food items, making them susceptible to bacterial contamination.
It is recommended to clean and disinfect your countertops regularly to maintain a hygienic kitchen and ensure peace of mind when preparing a meal for your family. Use a suitable disinfectant to eliminate germs on your kitchen surfaces, including:
- Coffee maker and kettle;
- Cutting boards;
- Kitchen sink and countertops;
- Refrigerator (especially areas that come into contact with uncooked and unwashed food)
Keep yourself and your family healthy by practising good food hygiene! Always wash your hands before and after handling unprepared food or raw meat. Plus, don’t forget to thoroughly clean fresh fruits and veggies to reduce the risk of contamination.
4. Air in Your Home
We all want a clean home, but we often forget about the air we breathe. Airborne threats, such as bacteria, viruses, allergens, and pollutants, can silently lurk in our living spaces, threatening our health and our loved ones’ health. This is especially true for young children who are more prone to respiratory illnesses. However, you don’t have to be a victim of these airborne enemies. By disinfecting your home’s air regularly, you can significantly lower the risks of sickness and keep your home healthy.
BioCair Singapore’s non-toxic air disinfection machine releases a dry-mist disinfectant that swiftly eliminates up to 99.999% of germs in the air. This lightweight disinfectant floats throughout the room, reaching every nook and cranny. Plus, it settles on surfaces to disinfect areas like never before – eliminating viruses with maximum efficiency.
You can effectively combat germs and bacteria while cleaning and disinfecting by being aware of the unexpected places where germs can hide in your home. Taking these extra steps helps create a healthier living environment for your entire family.
