Tips For Keeping the Home Clean and Hygienic to Prevent Infections

We all come into contact with millions of bacteria, viruses and other germs every day. Many of the bacteria we encounter are helpful for our overall health although the same cannot be said for some bacteria and viruses. We then track these bacteria and viruses into our homes where they end up causing diseases and illnesses. Although there are a few things we can do to limit exposure, good hygiene in the home can help stop illnesses and infections caused by the bacteria and viruses we bring in with us. Apart from washing your hands regularly, there are a lot of things you can do to ensure a hygienic home environment. Read on for tips on how to keep your home clean and hygienic.

Remove Shoes at the Door

For many people, removing shoes is a great way of preventing visible dirt from getting into the home. However, what many of us do not realize is that our shoes can track a lot of unseen pathogens. Some studies have also shown that the soles of our shoes can carry more pathogens than our bathrooms because we clean the latter more often and thoroughly.

To ensure that no one brings pathogens into the house using their shoes, it is important to ensure that you and your visitors remove your shoes at the door. This includes running and training shoes that a lot of people tend to forget to remove. 

Take Care of The Floor

Even in cases where everyone removes their shoes at the door, there is still a chance of pathogens thriving on your floors. Bacteria such as Clostridium difficile and Staphylococcus aureus can survive on dry floors and so you should vacuum your house or scrub your floors at least once a week. Also, have your carpet cleaned every six to 12 months even when you vacuum it and ensure that you wipe any spilt liquids as soon as possible. These measures are especially important when you have small kids who crawl on the floor. 

Use Hand Sanitiser Wipes

The two most common causes of illnesses in the home, especially those with young kids, are rotavirus and rhinovirus. The former is responsible for stomach aches and other gastrointestinal issues while the latter is responsible for colds and flu. One of the best ways to reduce illnesses caused by these viruses is to use hand sanitiser wipes.

Studies have shown that in homes where adults use hand sanitiser wipes at least once a day, there is a 60-89% reduction in the risk of infections caused by either virus. This is especially true in cases where the adults in the family do not have access to alcohol-based hand sanitizers. This massive reduction in the risk for infections should, therefore, spur adults to pick up the habit of using hand sanitiser wipes at least once a day especially before handling food and after handling sensitive materials such as nappies. 

When choosing hand sanitiser wipes, it is important to go with brands that have been proven to be great at improving hygiene in the home. Moms can shop for antibacterial hand sanitiser wipes online at Galleon Suppliers, one of the biggest hygiene product suppliers in the UK. Galleon Supplies sells hygiene products, washroom supplies, medical supplies and general cleaning supplies to help you keep your home clean and free of germs. They also offer free shipping on bulk orders.

Keep The Bedding Clean

We spend about a third of our lives sleeping which means we have a lot of contact with our bedding. Bedding can harbour harmful bacteria and so should be changed every one or two weeks. Additionally, they should be washed in water above 40 degrees Celsius and ideally be separated from other items when cleaning. Pillows and duvets can create the perfect environment for bacteria and dust mites to build up and so they should be washed with the rest of the bedding, or every month.

Keep Pets in Check

The good news is that many families wash their pets regularly. However, they can still carry harmful pathogens that end up in our hands when we pet them. It is therefore important that you wash your hands after petting, and wash your pets’ bedding regularly.

Observe Living Room Hygiene

The living room is often forgotten but it can also harbour harmful bacteria and viruses. The remote control, shared tablets and smartphones and light switches can all get incredibly dirty over time. It is advised to clean and disinfect all these items regularly, especially after you host visitors or have a family member who has been ill recently.

Conclusion

There is always the risk of catching an illness when at home. However, this risk can be minimized greatly through proper hygiene and keeping the home clean. Doping this should be relatively simple for most families as it usually involves making a few changes and being more vigilant.