You might pride yourself on a clean and tidy home, but even if you’re super organized and always visitor- ready, do you know how clean it really is? There are certain areas that are prone to bacteria, bugs and all other kinds of unpleasantness. Chances are you’ve been living alongside all kinds of things without realizing. To ensure you protect yourself from illness and other health issues, here are some cleaning tips for specific areas to address.
Your Bed
Your bed is the comfiest place in the world- what could be safer right? However, beds can be a huge traps for all kinds of nasties. Within a few years pillows, duvets, and mattresses can double in weight due to dust mites and their waste. These little critters live on the skin we shed, and due to their diet of tough human skin cells, they produce a potent digestive enzyme. In some people, this can cause respiratory issues such as wheezing, coughing and sneezing. You will never be able to avoid them completely but keeping on top of the dust levels in your room is helpful. Be sure to vacuum and dust under heavy furniture and on electronics where it can gather. Most vacuum cleaners have a mattress attachment which can be useful for keeping dust mite levels down. Aside from that, all you can do is replace things after the recommended time. Pillows should be replaced after a year or two, duvets after five years and mattresses after seven. Sheets should be washed once a week on the hottest wash cycle your machine has. Following these steps will help you to breathe easy at night, and you can be safe in the knowledge that your bed is clean and fresh.
Your Carpets
The average carpet has traces of animal feces, vomit, mold, pet hair and dander, dust mites, pollen, shredded skin and dead insects. There are all kinds of bacteria, allergens, even viruses. You might wonder how your carpets could be home to such disgusting things, but think about it- everything you stand in outside gets traipsed into the house. Even regular vacuuming only removes a small amount. For this reason, it’s worth having your carpets cleaned twice a year. You could buy a machine, sites like http://carpetcleanermachinesreviews.com have reviews of different models to help you find one that’s right for you. Alternatively, you could hire a professional carpet cleaner, or call in a company to do it for you. You might be surprised at the bucketfuls of dirty water these machines can pull up!
Your Kitchen
Most of us like to think we have good knowledge of kitchen safety. We use separate chopping boards for meat and vegetables, we wash our hands thoroughly before cooking or after touching poultry, and we keep our kitchens in a clean and tidy condition. But so much bacteria can remain without you realizing it. Kitchen sponges and cleaning rags for example can harbor masses of germs and are spread around the kitchen each time you use them. After each use, pop them in the washing machine on a hot wash cycle. Sinks and draining boards can be risky areas, these can be transferred to clean cutlery and crockery after washing up. Microwaves and cookers are also areas to watch out for. When you’re cleaning them, be sure to scrub all of the nooks and crannies. Old food spills can spoil and provide a breeding ground for bacteria in the hard to reach places.
Do you have any cleaning tips to add?
I am concerned about my house cleanliness. This is my first task early in the morning.