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Bust
Those Germs
Is your home germ-free? Think before
answering this question. If you don't routinely disinfect all the surfaces,
the answer is probably no. Here's what you can do to get rid of those irksome
disease-proliferating pests.
But my home is
clean!
Just because your home is clean,
doesn't mean it is germ free. There's a huge difference between simply
cleaning your house and disinfecting it. So your maid dusts every corner
of the house twice a day. Well, that's great, but not adequate. Remember,
your house may look clean, but that doesn't mean that there are no germs
skulking around. You need to disinfect all the surfaces as well. While
soap and water can do the job, it makes sense to use a stronger disinfectant
than soap every once in a while.
While germs usually live on living
objects, if the conditions are right, certain germs like bacteria can survive
for days on inanimate surfaces as well. And if these germs are infections,
then you're in for some
tricky times.
On which areas
should I concentrate?
It makes sense to concentrate on
disinfecting those areas where germs are likely to breed. The top of this
list is the kitchen, especially if non-vegetarian food is cooked in the
house. Most raw meat is thriving with
germs, which is why we make sure
we clean the meat and cook it well before it is served. We should clean
our kitchen with the same care, because there is no doubt that enough germs
have been transferred to the kitchen sink or shelves.
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Wash the knives used to cut meat carefully,
and clean your chopping board with a disinfectant.
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Wash all the surfaces of your kitchen
with soap and water every night before turning in.
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The bathroom is another trouble spot.
Make sure you add a strong disinfectant to the water that you use to clean
it.
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The seat of the pot should be disinfected
every day twice a day if possible. Similarly, you must try not to bring
your face too close to the pot if you ever need to look in. This is one
place that's simply teeming with germs.
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If someone in your family has diarrhea,
you should disinfect it every time he or she uses the toilet, or keep a
separate toilet for the patient if possible.
Baby's clothes
Simply washing your baby's clothes
and nappies with soap and water is not sufficient. Your baby's immune system
is very vulnerable, and you should tread with utmost caution. Soak your
baby¡¦s clothes and nappies in a disinfectant for at least
5 minutes before you wash them.
Disinfecting Tips
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Most household disinfectants have instructions
on their labels. Read them, and follow the directions carefully.
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First, wash the surface with soap and
water, and then, after wiping it off, apply the disinfectant.
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Leave the disinfectant on for a few
minutes. This helps to ensure it kills as many germs as possible.
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Wipe the disinfectant off with a paper
towel, which you can throw away after use, or with a clean duster, which
you can then toss into the laundry.
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If you are cleaning up something like
vomit, blood or feces, wear rubber gloves.
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Wash your hands afterwards, even if
you have been wearing gloves.
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Many disinfectants can be dangerous
if consumed, so keep them out of reach of your kids.
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