Germs & Dust: Clean That Room!
Cleaning is a drag, but it is essential and also important. There are several types of “bad” germs that linger on both hard and soft surfaces, especially in areas of the house that are often overlooked. Let us take a look at what these harmful germs are all about.
- Bacteria These tiny organisms are single-celled and get nutrients f
rom their environment. Bacteria are often found in sinks, couch cushions, and toothbrush holders. - Viruses Viruses cannot survive long without a human or animal host, but can cause tremendous illnesses if they do get onto a living being. Viruses are often left on surfaces such as door knobs, toilet seats, and counters.
- Fungi These multi-celled, plant-like organisms aren’t necessarily harmful to one’s health (except people with particularly low immune systems), but can increase allergies and are just plain dirty. You can find fungi in warm, moist environments such as under leaky sinks and damp basements.
- Protozoa Protozoa are like bacteria as they are one-celled organisms. These germs love moisture, so they are often found in contaminated water.
Dust can also create a big problem to those of us with allergies or asthma. The dust mites (about 100,000 in each square yard of carpet) that eat dead skin particles and dander in the air produce approximately 20 waste droppings a day, which creates a protein that irritates allergies. The symptoms can range from itchy eyes to full asthmatic attacks. So don’t forget to clean those little forgotten areas to help control these problems.
Commonly forgotten areas to clean:
- Computer keyboards
- Toothbrush holders
- Door knobs
- Kitchen and bathrooms sinks
- Couch cushions
- Pillows and Blankets
- Beneath stoves, refrigerators, couches, and other larger appliances/furniture
- Ceiling fans
- Window sills/above windows/between shades
- Closets and cupboards
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