Regardless of how often you clean your Springdale home, bacteria, germs and viruses are thriving in your indoor environment. These microscopic organisms can cause disease, aggravate allergy symptoms and worsen conditions like asthma.
The key to decreasing their numbers is knowing where they hide. Here is a list of five surprisingly bacteria-filled places in your home to be aware of. Cleaning these areas regularly can improve indoor air quality and reduce the spread of germs and disease once and for all.
- The Kitchen. After rinsing and washing dishes, your kitchen sink and sponge may contain bacteria residue, such as salmonella or E. coli, which can easily transfer to your hands or food. Place sponges in your dishwasher to clean, and wash your sink daily with a solution of water and bleach, allowing it to run down the drain.
- The Remote. Any object that’s frequently handled is likely covered in germs. Wipe your remote periodically with a disinfecting wipe, and practice good hand washing habits to prevent further spreading.
- Towels and linens. With up to 30 percent of the population unknowingly carrying staph bacteria, resist sharing hand towels. Wash towels and linens in hot water weekly, drying them afterwards in a hot dryer.
- Toothbrushes. Cold and flu germs can be transferred to your mouth from a toothbrush that’s left to sit in a wet glass or holder.
- Carpeting. Carpets with crumbs and other food sources are the perfect feeding ground for germs, such as E. coli.
Solutions
Bacteria thrive in moist environments, so control humidity levels and increase airflow with a whole-house ventilation system. You should also use exhaust fans when cooking or showering and clean spills as they occur.
For more information about identifying bacteria-filled places in your home and tips on reducing their growth, call the experts at Paschal Heat, Air & Geothermal. We’ve been proudly serving homeowners in Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas for over 45 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Springdale, Arkansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about indoor air quality and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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