Best home hygiene practices

When you get home from work, you are for sure, carrying germs and bacteria from every place that you visited earlier. Moreover, children are likely to bring back the worst germs from school because of their playful nature. It doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t leave the house, but noting that some bacteria and germs can be harmful and deadly is equally essential.

In fact, when you have a weak immune system, then you are exposed to more danger.  Since we cannot have complete control over our exposure to bacteria, we must keep high-level hygiene around our homes at all times.

There are specific places such as the toilet and floors where you can target and use a Dettol concentration to get rid of germs. Other than that, here are few tips that will help you keep a safe sanitized home:

• Clean your pets regularly

Do you have a pet? If she goes out with your kids, then there is a high possibility that she carries germs and bacteria, too, through her legs and fur. The situation can even be worse when she spends in the kennel. It, therefore, means that you have double work. First, you’ll need to clean up the kennel thoroughly with disinfectants and later on the pet. If she stays indoors, then you need to clean her at least thrice a week.

• Clean bathrooms after use

When you scrub your body and rinse it with water, all the germs and bacteria get washed down the drainage. However, indoor bathrooms have drainage designing with filter systems that can leave out foam particles, infested with deadly germs. It is, therefore, mandatory that you clean your bathroom every day after use to get rid of washed down bacteria and germs. In fact, if you are using a bathtub, it can be perilous since the body comes into direct contact with the floor surface. Bathrooms are known to harbor the deadliest of bacteria, and that is why newborns enjoy separate baths on specific baby basins.

• Always empty the bin

It would be best if you always emptied your indoor bin to the main bin outside the house. In addition to that, the main bin should also be emptied at least once a week. Trash, exceptionally moist, and sugary food remains provide a favorable breeding ground for germs and bacteria.

• Wash hands before every meal

Washing hands before every meal is the oldest but most important hygiene practice taught right from kindergarten. It is your responsibility to make sure that all family members clean their hands with running water and detergent before every meal. Moreover, wash your hands even if you are just from the bathroom and its meal time!

• Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly

Fruits and vegetables are known to harbor organisms and small pests that can pose greater danger hygienically. In fact, the leading cause of stomach-related illnesses and ringworms is eating from vegetables and fruits that aren’t properly cooked and washed, respectively.

• Shoes at the door policy

It would not make sense when you take time to clean and scrub the floors only to litter the same area again with dusty boots. Though you would probably let an important visitor walk in with shoes on, it is always prudent when you have a strict shoe at the door policy at all times. However, for cold and comfort, every member can have indoor sandals that they walk in, around the house. But, it would help if you left the bathroom and toilet sandals by the washrooms.

• Regular laundry

Do not let dirty clothes to pile up and make a big hip. It would help if you did laundry at least once every week. Moreover, when doing laundry, if you have a newborn, then his/her stuff should be cleaned separately from other clothes. Remember, newborns have a weak immune system and will, therefore, get sick at the slightest germs or bacteria exposure. After clean up, make sure that the clothes dry properly in natural sun and wind. If you happen to unhang wet clothes, then you’ll be running a risk of inviting mold and mosses (bacterial plants) into your home.

• Protective garden gear

Finally, you wouldn’t want to carry all the dirt that comes from the garden into the house. You can always employ someone to do the job, but at times a garden needs the true owner to charm up its look. On your garden workout day, make sure you get protective gear such as gumboots and gloves. These will protect your hands and feet from accessing bacteria, which can perfectly disguise under nails. Even after all that precaution, you must take a proper bath and change into fresh clothes.

They say Charity begins at home. Make your humble aboard a safe place for habitation, and every member of that family will spread good hygiene news to all the places that they visit. Remember, it is safer to take precautions than being sorry!

Author: Mandy Kloppers

Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.