Microbes : quels sont les endroits les plus sales dans la maison ?

Where do germs hide in our houses?

Maureen Diament

06 Nov 2014

updated the 6 October 2015 à 23:37

1/8
The kitchen sink
After the sponge, which serves to clean the dishes, the sink is the second place in the house where we find the biggest concentration of potentially harmful microorganisms.

Good habit: wash and disinfect the walls and the bottom of the sink once to twice a week. Once a month, pour a teaspoon of bleach diluted in 1/4 L of water down the pipes. Finally, put the sink filter in the dishwasher once a week.
2/8
The buttons of the stove
We rarely think of washing them. Nevertheless, during cooking it is not rare that they are splashed by food remnants, which are difficult to remove.

Good habit: rub the buttons well at least once a week or, better, dismantle them if it is possible. Then wash then in hot water and wash liquid. Let them dry well and reinstall.
3/8
Toy animals
They are sources of bacteria (Staphylococcus for example) and go everywhere in the house (even in the garden).

Good habit: always wash your hands after touching them. The hard toys can be washed with some water and some soap, or even a little diluted bleach. Cuddly toys and other sources of comfort such as security blankets should be washed in the washing machine at least once a month and more often if needed.
4/8
The chopping board
It is in contact with a large number of different foods (often uncooked). To avoid the proliferation of germs, it is essential to clean it after every use.

Good habit: clean in hot water and with some wash liquid between each preparation and disinfect regularly with an antibacterial product. Glass boards are preferred as there are no scratches and therefore no hiding places for bacteria!
5/8
Beauty Hacks
Use whitening toothpaste and a brush to lift off yellow stain from your nails. This trick will save you SGD30-40 on manicures!
6/8
Faucets
We open them with dirty hands and we close them with wet fingers. As a result, bacteria adores the taps and will proliferate.

Good habit: disinfect every day with an antibacterial agent. At the office or outside, close it with a handkerchief or a piece of paper.
7/8
The coffee maker
The problem comes from the tank, an always wet and dark place, that is perfect for allowing bacteria to develop.

Good habit: once a month, fill the tank with white vinegar and leave it in for 30 minutes. Then, drain the vinegar as if it was water, just to decalcify the machine, thereafter remove all the vinegar residue by rinsing with water 3 times.
8/8
The kitchen counter
It is the same problem as with the chopping board, except that in addition we put grocery bags and any sorts of food packaging on it. As a result, it is covered with coliform bacteria in 30% of the cases.

Good habit: wash the kitchen counter after every use with some soapy water. Rinse with water and use some bleach or disinfectant.

No, germs aren’t just living outside. They are also in our homes and are not always where we expect them to be. Here’s proof with examples of 8 places or utensils that have to be well cleaned to avoid infection.

Over the years, results on hygiene studies have changed. After the keyboards of computers, it became desks, then mobile phones, the escalator ramps or the trays in planes, which were considered as being the favourite spot for germs to proliferate. So, no matter where we put our fingers, germs are present on all objects in our everyday life, and they cause the risk of catching viral diseases (colds, gastroenteritis and co.) or other serious infections (due to Staphylococcus or Escherichia coli). We could almost regret the time when we cared only about the cleanliness of the toilet.

Germ hunt

If there is one point on which the studies agree, it is that our houses are real nests of bacteria. And they are not always where we expect them to be. As a result, we often forget to clean well and disinfect key places. Our sponges are the first sources of germs in our kitchens. Residues of food, holes and humidity. This is the ideal combo for germs. To avoid the proliferation of bacteria, put your wet sponge in the microwaves for 2 minutes every evening (do not forget to wet it beforehand, otherwise it could burn). The heat destroys the germs. Change your sponge every 2 weeks or more often if needed.

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Where do germs hide in our houses?

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