Bacteria and viruses can spread from person to person and from person to surface. Learn where germs are most likely to be found in your house and what you can do to get rid of them.
Certain factors can affect how long germs may stick around.
These include:
- surface type, such as solid surfaces like counters or textured surfaces like furniture or clothes
- living habits, such as regularly washing clothes or
disinfecting surfaces - lifestyle practices, such as washing your hands or bathing regularly
- cleaning procedures, such as using bleach and alcohol versus regular cleaning supplies
Different areas of your home have different levels of risk when it comes to exposing yourself to bacteria and viruses.
According to the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), areas where food is stored or prepared have more bacteria and fecal contamination than other places in the home.
More than 75% of dish sponges and rags had Salmonella, E. coli, and fecal matter compared with 9% of bathroom faucet handles.
Other kitchen items that need frequent cleaning include:
- cutting boards
- coffee maker
- refrigerator, especially areas in contact with uncooked and unwashed food
- kitchen sink and countertops
Here are some tips for keeping these spots clean:
- Use disinfectant wipes on the faucet, refrigerator surfaces, and countertops.
- Heat damp sponges in the microwave for a minute to kill bacteria.
- Soak sponges in a quart of warm water with half a teaspoon of concentrated bleach.
- Change dish towels a few times a week.
- Wash your hands before and after touching or handling food.
Remember to
Countertops, handles, and light switches are a few less-than-obvious places for germs.
While many people assume that the bathroom doorknob would be the dirtiest, the NSF found other spots that ranked higher with bacteria, including:
- bathroom light switches
- refrigerator handles
- stove knobs
- microwave handles
You can clean these spots once a week with disinfecting wipes.
Using a new wipe for every spot is best instead of reusing the same one.
The nooks, crannies, and bristles of makeup applicators are prime real estate for germs, especially if you carry your makeup bag outside the house.
Germs that live on your makeup applicators can cause skin and eye infections.
Viruses can also
You may need to change how you store your makeup. Products should ideally be kept in a clean, dry space at room temperature.
To keep makeup brushes clean, wash them once a week with regular soap and water or use an alcohol spray.
To prevent the spread of germs, wash makeup applicators at least once a day, or before and after each use.
Many doctors recommend replacing cosmetics every 6 months and throwing out eye makeup if you’ve had an eye infection.
It’s no surprise that the place where you scrub dirt and grime off your body is a breeding ground for bacteria.
Due to the moisture from a hot shower, the bathroom is also a perfect place for germ growth. Spots you should pay special attention to include:
- shower tub
- drains
- faucets
- floor area around the toilet
- bath towels
- toothbrushes
You can wipe surfaces and handles down with disinfectant on a daily basis and do a thorough cleaning once a week.
An old toothbrush may come in handy for cleaning small spaces like around drains and faucets. You should also replace bathroom towels once a week and toothbrushes every 3 to 4 months.
It’s a good idea to disinfect all surfaces in your bathroom, especially if someone in your home has recently had an infection.
Wet laundry left in a machine, even for a short amount of time, can cause germs to flourish.
Transfer clean clothes to the dryer immediately after each wash. If clothes sit in the washer for more than 30 minutes, you may want to run a second cycle.
If you are using a laundry mat or a shared laundry facility, clean the washer drum with a disinfecting wipe.
Be sure to wipe down any surfaces, especially public ones, before folding clean clothes.
Warm or hot water is also more effective in killing both bacteria and viruses than cold water. Use hot water whenever possible to wash clothes you’ve worn in public.
Multiple family members and house guests often share remote controls, computer keyboards, phones, and tablets.
The NSF found yeast and mold on the computer keyboard, remote control, and video game controller in 22 households, as well as Staphylococcus on the last two items.
Surfaces also contribute to bacterial growth and diversity. For example, a carpet can hold up to eight times its weight in dirt and dust and may be
Some viruses can live on plastic remotes and keyboards for as long as 3 days.
It’s important to clean these items using disinfectant wipes or plain water and soap, especially if they’ve come in contact with dirty surfaces like tables or counters.
And wash your hands before touching any household objects if you’ve been out in public or come into contact with someone who has.
Pets can also bring germs and bacteria into your home, especially if they go outside.
According to a study conducted by the NSF, pet bowls placed fourth in spots with the most germs in a home. Pet toys also carried staph, yeast, and mold.
Pets and their bowls, toys, and beds can all carry germs, too. Pets may not get certain diseases, but they can carry and transfer germs to you through your hands or face.
You can prevent your pets from bringing in dirt by washing or wiping their paws before letting them in.
Here are some other tips:
- Wash pet bowls daily with warm, soapy water.
- Soak toys and bowls in bleach once a week.
- Clean hard toys regularly with hot, soapy water.
- Wash soft toys monthly.
You can bring bacteria and viruses from outside into your house each day through your shoes, gym bag, and even headphones.
Of the 22 homes surveyed, the NSF found fecal contamination, yeast, and mold present on:
- cell phones
- keys
- wallet and money
- lunch boxes
- the bottom of purses
Some viruses can also live on surfaces for up to 3 days since most of these objects are made of plastic or metal.
Most disinfecting wipes are effective against bacteria and viruses on electronics. But if you want to be extra safe, you can find electronic-specific cleaning supplies at stores.
Knowing how to clean can help you protect your home and your family from harmful bugs.
So, what’s the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting?
According to the
- Cleaning: This physically removes dirt and germs from places. You can use soap and water to scrub and rinse away grime. Cleaning is generally done first, before sanitizing or disinfecting.
- Sanitizing: This lowers the amount of germs present on objects. You can use specific chemicals, such as bleach in a weak solution, to sanitize objects.
- Disinfecting: This method kills the germs themselves. You can use stronger chemicals to disinfect. You may want to do this when someone is sick or if you have a weakened immune system.
What about bacterial resistance?
You may have heard that using antibacterial agents can actually increase the risk of bacteria becoming resistant. However, this is mostly seen in hospitals and other community environments rather than the home.
However, washing your skin with antibacterial soap is not needed, according to the
Here are some other good habits to help stop the spread of bacteria and viruses:
- Take off your shoes before walking through the house.
- Wash your hands for 20 to 30 seconds after using the bathroom and before and after touching raw food.
- Wear a cotton or linen mask to cover your face in public to prevent the spread of airborne viruses
- Wash clothes that you’ve worn in public regularly in warm water (if possible).
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow instead of your hand.
- Don’t touch your face with your bare hands.
- Try to limit going outdoors by working from home or socializing with friends and family through video chat.