Updated: 2/14/2020
We have all been warned about them, but how many of us actually make an effort to protect ourselves from germs? We do not want to be overprotective, but germs can be very harmful! Here are some fun, interesting ways to beat the germs while not going overboard.
6 Most Unexpected Germ Havens
1. Bath Towels
Experts have shown that sharing bath towels is how many infections are spread, such as staph infection. Even your own family can spread germs to you. One idea to keep your family from sharing towels is to color code them! Give everyone in your family a color, and get both individual hand and bath towels for each of them.
2. Computer Keyboard
Keyboards have been found to harbor 60 times more germs than a toilet seat! That is about 150 times above the advisable limit of germ levels. In order to keep your keyboard as germ-free as possible, try washing your hands before and after you use your computer, and keep some alcohol-based wipes near your desk.
3. Washing Machine
Though their primary purpose is to clean your clothes, they actually have quite a few germs in them. This is mainly because of washing clothing in cold water for part of the cycle. The cold water does not remove any germs. To help kill the bacteria on your clothing, try washing some loads in hot water. The hot water will actually ‘zap’ the germs, leaving your clothes fresh and completely clean!
4. Cell Phone
How many of us actually wash our hands before and after we use our cell phones? If we are being honest, few of us do. Because of this, everything we come into contact with during the day will also contact our phone. Studies show that cell phones carry bacteria from food, doorknobs and even pets! One way to decrease the number of bacteria on your cell phone is to wash your hands several times throughout the day. Try using soap with hot water, and sing “Happy Birthday” twice in your head.
5. Toothbrush
Most people keep their toothbrushes in a cup beside their sink for easy accessibility. However, studies have shown that flushing your toilet when your toothbrush is within at least 6 feet of the toilet can spread germs to your toothbrush. Do you want to brush your teeth with a toothbrush full of those germs? It’s recommended that you change your toothbrush after you are sick, when the bristles begin to bend and show wear, or after 3 months.
6. TV Remote
Your remote is considered one of the most germ-infested places both in your home and outside of it. How many times have you changed channels while eating? That is just one example of the many different origins of the remote’s bacteria. One simple way to kill the germs on your remote is by using alcohol-based wipes at least once a week.
6 Ways to Reduce Germs Without Being Paranoid
When dealing with germs, it’s very easy to go overboard and get into a cleaning frenzy. However, there are simple things you can do to substantially decrease the number of germs you are exposed to in your home.
1. Wash your hands several times a day
Washing for at least 20 seconds with hot water and soap can help you get rid of most of the germs on your hands that you acquire throughout the day.
2. Vacuum your home often
Vacuuming up the germs and bacteria is helpful, but only when you change the bag or empty the canister consistently. Without emptying the canister, the germs that your vacuum picks up from the floor can grow bigger and stronger. Prevent that by emptying out your vacuum and by wiping down the vacuum handles on a regular basis.
3. Take off your shoes before you enter your home
If possible, taking your shoes off and leaving them outside can stop you from tracking in all of the germs your feet picked up throughout the day.
4. Wipe all faucets and handles in your home
Doing this on a regular basis with an antibacterial solution keeps the germs to a minimum and helps keep them from spreading to others.
5. Close the toilet lid before flushing
This habit can drastically minimize the number of bacteria that gets flushed into the air.
6. Open your windows
Opening the windows for just a few hours a week lets fresh air in and germs out.
Germs are everywhere, but that’s no reason to go into a cleaning frenzy! By following these simple ways to reduce germ exposure, you can make your house a safer haven.
To Peggy: Amen! I go with your comments. Thanks. And “we” probably had the healthiest kids.
Although I appreciate this article and, actually, common sense should prevail in most of these instances, I must add my 2 cents that we are becoming a too-clean society. If our bodies don’t come in contact with some germs, our bodies cannot build a natural resistance to them.
Thanks for the tips! Will definitely be using some of them.
That’s pretty disgusting! I’m such a germaphobe that I wash my hands regularly. I also use Bacterminator.com covers for my iPhone, iPad and MacBook keyboard cover to make sure they stay antibacterial so that when my kids play with them germs do not get passed to them or unto the devices.
Thank you for posting this. Some people did not know that we can get germs in some of our personal thing. So we need to be aware of that. Parents should always keep their house clean and teach their children to clean their personal things.