Without even meaning to, many of us turn our homes into hotbeds of germ propagation.
So, if you’re tired of dealing with household-wide virus outbreaks, fungal infections, or other unenviable issues, there’s no time like the present to tackle the problem head-on.
However, in order to properly address the spread of germs within your household, you’ll need to understand the reasons behind them.
Anyone looking to turn their home into a germ-free environment would do well to stay mindful of the following behaviors.
Top 3 Reasons Germs Are Spread Within Households
1. Certain Areas Aren’t Regularly Cleaned
While you may not be terribly fond of cleaning, it’s important to understand that in addition to being unpleasant to look at, a consistently dirty home can prove highly conducive to the spread of germs.
This is particularly true in the case of such high-traffic areas as kitchens and bathrooms. So, even if you don’t have the bandwidth to regularly clean your entire house, special attention should be paid to the areas that contain the largest number of germs. Installing antimicrobial filtration in these areas is also likely to prove helpful.
As such, make a point of thoroughly wiping down your kitchen surfaces and washing dishes each day. If you lack the time or inclination to carry out these chores on a daily basis, consider alternating kitchen cleaning duties with other members of your household.
Similarly, take care to clean any bathrooms in your home at least once a week, particularly the ones that receive the most use. Again, if this places a strain on your schedule, insist that other members of your household step up to the plate.
2. Shoes Are Being Worn in the House
Wearing shoes in the house is never a good idea. Not only does it track dirt across your floors, but it can also result in the spread of outside germs. If you or any other member of your household has a habit of wearing shoes indoors, you’ll need to correct this posthaste.
If you find the feeling of having nothing over your socks unpleasant, invest in a comfortable pair of slippers or indoor shoes. Just remember – when you wear shoes in the house, you’re dragging in germs from the many surfaces upon which you – and scores of other people – stood throughout the course of the day.
So, while shoes being worn indoors may be a common sight in television shows, movies, and other works of fiction, it’s a most unwelcome presence in the real world.
3. Proper Handwashing Practices Are Not Being Embraced
When it comes to curbing the spread of germs, handwashing can be a powerful weapon – provided, of course, it’s done properly. Unfortunately, far too many of us are of the belief that any amount of handwashing is enough to protect our germs and fail to embrace proper handwashing practices as a result.
So, if you or anyone else in your household could use a refresher on the right way to wash your hands, take the following pointers to heart.
After wetting your hands with warm water, turn off the faucet and proceed to lather your hands and wrists up with soap. Additionally, when lathering up, make sure to include the spaces between your fingers, the backs of your hands, and under your nails. After scrubbing your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds, proceed to thoroughly rinse them under warm water.
Of course, for maximum effectiveness, every member of your household will need to embrace proper handwashing practices – and as any parent can attest, getting children to wash their hands can be a chore and a half. In addition to making sure your kids wash their hands at appropriate times, make sure they’re well-versed in the right way to do it. Not only should you instruct them on this, but you’ll also need to lead by example.
Despite our best efforts, many households are veritable hotbeds of germs. While many of us associate germs with homes that are outwardly dirty or poorly kept, it’s entirely possible for a home that appears to be perfectly maintained to house a treasure trove of germs.
So, if you’re looking to minimize the number of germs that make their way through your home, it’s important to understand the most common reasons for which germs spread in households and make an effort to avoid the behaviors discussed above.
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