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Your Bed. On average, we spend at least one third of each day between the sheets. That’s why germ experts like Philip Tierno, MD, PhD, director of clinical microbiology at New York University Medical Center and author of The Secret Life of Germs, says your bed could be a dangerous breeding ground for germs. According to Dr. Tierno, we should wash our sheets in hot water at least once each week, and we should invest in an impervious, water-repellent outer cover for mattresses and pillows. This will prevent bacteria and harmful dust mites from finding homes under the sheets.
Your Towel. Don’t even think about sharing bath towels with other family members. MRSA, a dangerous staph infection that is resistant to many antibiotics, can be spread by sharing towels. Research also indicates that bacteria that can cause acne can also be spread among family members from towel sharing. Make sure you wash your towels in warm or hot water at least once a week and replace hand towels in the bathroom frequently.
Your Toothbrush. Unfortunately your mouth is home to thousands of germs. You brush your teeth to protect your teeth and mouth from harmful bacteria and those harmful germs are transferred to your toothbrush! To make things worse, toilet flushing and a moist, humid environment from your shower may add to the germ factory. The easiest solution is to zap your brush in a microwave to kill bacteria, or you could go a step further and purchase one of the new toothbrush sanitizers.
Your Washing Machine. Think your washing machine is safe from germs? Think again. According to Charles P. Gerba, PhD, of the University of Arizona Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, your laundry machine could be contaminating your clothing and linens. There has been an outbreak of viruses related to washing machines because many Americans are now washing their clothes in cold water – which doesn’t kill viruses. In addition, germs can be transferred from one load to the next. To kill germs in dirty clothes and in your washing machine Dr. Gerba recommends washing your laundry in hot water.
Your Keyboard. Dr. Gerba says: “There are about 200 times more bacteria on a keyboard than a toilet seat.” We often clean bathrooms and sinks, but rarely do we disinfect computer keyboards. Keyboards can be breeding grounds for cold germs, flu viruses and bacteria that can cause diarrhea. The more traffic at your computer, (think kids, husband etc.) the greater the risk that you might get sick! Disinfect your keyboard weekly and wash your hands before and after using the computer.
Your Carpet. Dr. Gerba’s research has revealed that carpets in most homes are 4,000 times dirtier than toilet seats! Your average vacuum cleaner will not pick up all of the harmful bacteria found in your floor. Try using a vacuum with UV-light technology, like the Oreck Halo. (Warning – it’s expensive!) These vacuums are believed to kill many bacteria, viruses and allergens on contact. To decrease the amount of bacteria in your home you should develop new ‘house rules’ and not allow anyone to wear their shoes in the house. You can bring pathogenic bacteria and mold spores into the home on the soles of shoes.
Your Salt and Pepper Shakers. Researchers at the University of Virginia tell us that our salt and pepper shakers may be a breeding ground for germs. They studied where cold and flu viruses like to congregate in homes, they tested various places that sick people touched in the home in an 18-hour period, and but salt and pepper shakers turned out to be one of the places with the highest concentrations for lingering viruses. Think about all items that are touched frequently within the house including salt and pepper shakers and disinfect them often.
Your Bathtub. A recent study found the harmful bacteria staphylococcus in 26 percent of tested bathtubs, and if you have a whirlpool tub that percentage goes up. A study by scientists at Texas A&M University that examined water samples from 43 whirlpool tubs found that all had dangerous bacterial growth including fungi and fecal bacteria. Clean your tub regularly with a cleaner that contains bleach. If you have a whirlpool tub you need to consider having a professional maintenance person in clean the dirty pipes.
Your Refrigerator. There is an awful rumor out there claiming that bacteria won’t grow in cold temperatures. Unfortunately that’s just not true. Raw chicken could have leaked and unwashed vegetables could have touched the milk carton. The germs found inside a refrigerator have a high risk of making you sick. Experts recommend wiping your fridge down weekly and a monthly deep clean with hot water and bleach should kill harmful bacteria.
Your Child’s Potty Seat. Children and parents often spread fecal bacteria from potty chairs to other surfaces in the house. Start setting good habits and wash your hands with your child before and after using the potty chair. Clean the potty chair frequently with disinfecting spray.
SOURCE: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/9-surprising-germ-havens-520150/
