How To Protect Your Home From Germs This Winter

While you might not be able to control the cleanliness of items you touch outside your home, there are simple things you can do to protect the inside of your home to support the health of you and your family this winter.

Regular cleaning can get rid of and prevent bacteria, viruses and other unwanted nasties that could be harmful to your health if left to their own devices. Keep reading to find some handy tips and tricks to keep unwanted germs and bacteria out of your home this winter. 

Kitchen Cleaning Tips

The kitchen is always bustling with activity, from the time you make your morning coffee, through to entertaining your friends or putting together a delicious meal. This can make your kitchen a playground for bacteria and germs that aren’t welcome, and these germs can often survive for days on different surfaces.

Here are some areas and items in the kitchen that need some extra attention to stop germs in their tracks:

Sponges and tea towels

Mould can build up in sponges and tea towels if they’re not cared for properly, and you don’t want this transferring onto dishes and surfaces.

• Make sure that you squeeze all excess moisture out of sponges and dishwashing cloths, and ensure that they are left to air-dry completely.
• An even more convenient tip is to put sponges in the dishwasher on a high temperature with the drying setting on.
• Tea towels can nurture unhealthy bacteria and germs, even if you’re only using them to dry clean dishes. Make sure you leave them to dry completely between uses, and wash them often.

Benchtops and surfaces

Whether you’re bringing in groceries or any other items from outside your house, you usually set them down on the bench before putting them away. It’s important to sanitize these surfaces so that harmful bacteria don't get a chance to grow.

Using soapy water or your favorite cleaning spray, as well as bleach, go over all of the surfaces in your kitchen, including the stovetops. This will not only get rid of unhealthy bacteria, but will also help to keep germ-infested pests and critters away from any leftover crumbs and spills.

Bedroom Cleaning Tips

Not only can you bring germs in from the outside, your bedroom is often already home to dust mites and bed bugs. If you’ve got pets, their fur can also hold onto certain unwanted bacteria from their outdoor adventures, and sometimes you just can’t resist letting them up on the bed.

Make sure you wash your bedding regularly on a warm temperature to keep them fresh and clean. Using a handheld vacuum cleaner on your mattress and base can also help to mitigate dust mites.

Mould can build up on window sills from condensation, especially in winter, and this can be harmful to your health. Wipe your window sills with soapy water or disinfectant regularly to stop mould from growing.

Bathroom Cleaning Tips

As you can imagine, the bathroom can be a breeding ground for unwanted germs and mould that can have negative effects on your health. It's important to take extra care in your bathroom, paying close attention to the toilet (including the flush button), shower or bath, as well as all other surfaces. Use a good disinfectant designed to kill mould, and bleach to keep your bathroom free of nasties.

Face cloths and loofahs can also be a potential home for mould, so it’s important to wash these regularly and leave them to air dry completely between each use.

Around your home

Unhealthy germs and bacteria often spread throughout your home without you even realising it, so it’s important to clean regularly to keep them at bay. Here are some areas that need some extra love and attention:

Door knobs and handles

These need to be sanitised often, especially considering how much contact you have with them after being out and about. Use a disinfectant cleaner to wipe all door knobs and handles around your home to stop harmful bacteria from entering and spreading throughout your home.

Carpet and rugs

Dust mites and other unwanted bugs can enter the home and linger in carpet and rugs if they’re not cleaned thoroughly. Start by vacuuming the area to remove any loose dust and dirt. For an extra deep clean, use a Rug Doctor machine from your local supermarket to get right into the carpet, and stop germs in their tracks.

A good rule to keep bugs to a minimum is to remove dirty footwear before entering the house and have a pair of inside shoes or slippers to keep warm during the colder months.

Wash your hands

This is one that we all well and truly know, but one of the most important steps is to wash your hands. Use hand soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, making sure to pay close attention to ensure a thorough clean. You can also use a hand sanitiser for additional germ protection.

 

Keeping your home healthy and free from harmful outside germs and bacteria is easy if you do it regularly. Taking extra care with things like washing your hands, and paying close attention to certain areas around your home will make a huge difference this season. And if you think your carpet is due for a deep clean, click the banner below to find your nearest Rug Doctor stockist!