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Posts Tagged ‘kitchen’

Why our houses could be dirtier? I thought that my home is where I and my family can feel completely safe, but unfortunately our home could be a big threat to our health.

Where bacteria hides?

A study in the US showed the number of bacteria per square inch on household surfaces was as follows:

Toilet bowl-3.2million,  Kitchen drain-567,000, Dish cloth-134,000,  Bath – 119,000, Kitchen sink-17,000,  Kitchen tap 13,000, Bathroom tap-6,000, Bathroom sink-2,700, Kitchen floor-830, Toilet floor-764,  Rubbish bin-411,  Microwave -214, TV remote – 70.

Don’t you think that statistic is horrible?

The bugs are one of the most harmful infectors. They are all over the house so I’ll suggest you some ways to beat them.

IN BED: Mattresses can contain hundreds bugs and well over 10,000 dust mites. They feed on your blood and dead skin as you sleep. And 20 per cent of the weight of old pillows may be dead skin. That means even more dust mites, which are a known trigger for asthma and allergies.

Beat the bugs: If you have an infestation, get an exterminator in or shell out for a new mattress. With your pillows, bin ones that are more than a year old or put them in the freezer for 24 hours to kill bugs.

KITCHEN SURFACES:  The kitchen is the household hotspot when it comes to food poisoning. Cross contamination – where bugs from uncooked meat end up on raw fruit or vegetable-is one of the biggest problems. Raw chicken, for example, can carry a nasty bug which causes sickness.

Beat the bugs: Use separate chopping boards for meat and vegetables rather than those with antibacterial coating. They can take several hours to kill bugs.

CARPETS: have been blamed for a surge in UK asthma cases in the past 40 years. They are the perfect breeding ground for dust mites. Bugs are so small that they are barely visible, but whose droppings are thought to irritate the lining of the airways.

Beat the bugs: Fit a wooden floor. Experts claim doing so can slash the amount of allergens circulating in the air. If you must have carpet, make a short pile so it is harder for mites to hide.

DOOR HANDLES: Bacteria and viruses can creep into some surfaces for hours. Door handles are one of the most dangerous sites because they come into contact with skin all the time. One US study showed 26 per cent of door knobs at home and work carry traces of harmful bacteria.

Beat the bugs: Apply disinfectant to the surface using a paper towel to remove residual dirt. Do it again with another fresh towel to get rid of bugs.

TOILET: The obvious culprit when looking for hidden hazards in the home. Flushing gets rid of most organisms but some can survive for weeks in a dirty bowl.

Beat the bugs:  Degasify the toilet bowl at least twice a week and scrub regularly to get rid of limescale and scum that might harbour bugs.

COMPUTER: A study of 33 computer keyboards showed that one was five times dirtier than a toilet seat. Two others had “warning” levels bacteria, a bug usually spread by hands not being washed after going to the loo.

Beat the bugs: Don’t eat at the computer, food can spread bugs. And always wash your hands before sitting down to work or play at the screen.

DISH CLOTH: Probably one of the most contaminated items in your home. If cloths are not decontaminated and dried after use, or are left damp for several hours, bacteria grows on the surface. Bugs get attached to the cloth fibres and even detergent will not decontaminate them.

Beat the bugs: Disinfect cloths after use, soak in boiling water or put in washing machine at 60°C.

Many younger adults (and some older adults) find that they are not quite sure what it really means to do the dishes. Sometimes we learn the hard way when living with roommates for the first time, that kitchen duty demands more than loading a dishwasher. This article is for anyone who feels kitchen clean-up means just washing the dirty dishes.

Gather all the dirty dishes, not just what is sitting in the kitchen sink. Make sure to check all rooms for cups, glasses and plates. If you have roommates ask them to help gather the dishes. There is nothing more frustrating when doing the dishes then being handed more after you are done.

Whether you have a dishwasher or do them by hand make sure all washing is done properly. This means loading the dishwasher correctly and making sure all dirt, grease and leftovers are gone from those that you do by hand. Wipe the inside of the sink, making sure to remove all food particles.

Next rinse the coffee or tea pot if dirty. This is part of doing dishes, making sure appliances are clean. Wipe the counters, microwave and stove. This is not a chore left for Saturdays or “cleaning day”. Daily cleaning of your kitchen appliances lessen your cleaning day work load and keep bacteria and pests out of your kitchen. My favourite cleaning solution is water and vinegar. The vinegar cuts down the grease and disinfects your surfaces. For an added bonus I add a few drops of grapefruit oil extract to my solution; this is another good disinfectant and leaves your kitchen smelling fresh and clean.