Where Do Germs Hide?
The Kitchen Sink
All of the dishes the family eats off of make their way through here. Pieces of food left in your sink are the primary reason this area is a breeding ground for bacterial like E. coli and salmonella. You should ideally clean your sink with a bleach-and-water solution and hot water at least once per day.
Remote Controls
These devices are in everyone’s hands, especially when someone is feeling under-the-weather. Remotes are also in hand when you are simply having a snack while watching TV, so food residue is also present from sticky or greasy fingers. Remotes are breeding grounds for germs and bacteria, so wipe them down with a disinfectant wipe several times per week.
Shoes
The bottoms of your family’s shoes are crawling with germs and bacteria. Think about where they have been (public bathrooms, walking around the entire school where cold and flu germs are alive and well on carpets and tile). In some cultures, it is common to remove shoes before entering the home, but if that is too extreme for your family to remember, at least start a habit of removing them once you enter the home.
Counter Tops
Your countertops are a prime location for germs and bacteria. Your kids’ lunch boxes, books and homework can bring the latest germs into your home and leave them on whatever surface they touch. Food you prepare can also leave behind bacteria, so they should be washed with hot, soapy water after you use them for anything, and wiped down with a disinfectant wipe at least once per day.
Your Car’s Steering Wheel, Control Knobs and Your Keys
Whether you simply dropped off your son’s backpack that he forgot, or you are volunteering in the classroom, you carry germs on your hands as you head back to your car. If there is hand sanitizer available, use it, but also keep anti-bacterial wipes in your car to clean your keys that you just handled, the steering wheel, the radio control buttons, door handle and gear shift.
This may seem excessive, but if you can eliminate the bulk of the germs that attach themselves and come into contact with you and your family, you can actually cut back on illness. Once kids are back to school, it seems germs are everywhere and more aggressive.
By simply keeping some of the germiest spots in your house (and car) cleaner, you could be looking at a healthier school year for your entire family, even for those with lupus.
