General home hygiene involves regularly cleaning the inside and outside of your house. You also need to handle food properly and take care of your health to keep your living space clean. Some of the reasons why proper home hygiene is essential for your property include:
It keeps you healthy: Good home hygiene helps prevent the spread of germs and infection. Bacteria may hide in different parts of the house, so you should clean high-traffic areas regularly. Be mindful of dealing with bacteria as you cook and clean in the kitchen to reduce the risk of contracting foodborne illnesses.
It creates a more comfortable space: Poor hygiene in the house may lead to undesirable smells and sights. Cleaning your home allows you to enjoy your living space without unpleasant distractions.
It keeps pests out of the house: Insects and rodents enjoy moldy, dusty areas of the home where they can hide. When you clean your house often, you could spot and deal with these pests before they cause an infestation.
Understanding How Germs Spread and Can Cause Illness:
Mold, bacteria or dust can naturally accumulate over time, which is why you need to identify and address problem areas with proper cleaning. The following are important elements to remember to ensure your cleaning habits are effective:
How germs spread: Germs travel into your home through your clothes, food or pets, and they stick to certain surfaces better than others. For example, towels and mops come into contact with bacteria and may quickly spread it throughout the house. Most viruses enter your body via the hands, especially by touching your face or rubbing your nose. You may also contract foodborne illnesses if you prepare or eat food without washing your hands.
How long germs are contagious: Each type of bacteria or virus survives and spreads differently. For example, people with the flu are most contagious in the first three to four days after their illness begins. Healthy adults may infect others one day before symptoms start and five to seven days after becoming sick. The flu may live on surfaces for up to 48 hours.
Chemical dwell time: Cleaning products need to stay wet on countertops and other surfaces for a while to disinfect them properly. All cleaning/disinfectants should be used per label instructions. All label guidelines and specifications should be reviewed prior to use, and products should be used only within said specifications. For example, pay attention to the dwell time for cleaning products listed on the bottle’s instructions when cleaning. For best results, clean the dirt and debris off a countertop before you disinfect it.
Although the bedroom doesn’t have to be cleaned as often as other areas in the house, the bed can become riddled with dust and mites if not cleaned properly. The Hygiene Council recommends you clean bedsheets and pillow cases once a week. This prevents a build up of dust, which can be harmful to your health and respiratory system. Pillows should be completely replaced every six months to one year to prevent an unhygienic build up of dead dust mites, droppings and carcasses. Don't forget to disinfect TV remotes and computer keyboards often, as these can also be home to a plethora of bacterial colonies. Computer keyboards sometimes hold nearly 150 times the healthy quantity of bacteria and are five times dirtier than a toilet seat. Air conditioning filters should also be replaced monthly to keep the air in your home clean and free of dust
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