3 Places Germs Are Hiding in Your Home
As the summer days get shorter, flu season looms on the horizon. The CDC estimates flu season to begin around October and last until April, with an estimated range of 31 to 54 million cases in the U.S. alone. People can prevent the spread of flu germs when in public by frequently washing their hands, using hand sanitizer and practicing “the Dracula” when coughing or sneezing. But what about the germs hiding around the home? Influenza A and B can survive on hard surfaces for 24-48 hours and on cloth or paper surfaces for 8-12 hours, depending on conditions.
Proper cleaning and wiping of surfaces can help remove illness-causing germs and bacteria hidden in plain sight. Here are some places in the home that you should clean more often to prevent the spread of germs ahead of flu season, and the cleaning products you’ll need to do it.
The Tools You’ll Need:
Bravo® Paper Towels
Bravo Paper Towels are high-performance and up to 3x stronger when wet than other kitchen towel brands made with recycled content. Each sheet is highly absorbent, making them a smarter choice for wipe-dry tasks after using a cleaning solution.
A Disinfectant
Choose a high-quality disinfecting cleaner. Disinfectants must be registered with the EPA before they can be sold or distributed. Look for an EPA registration number on the product label to confirm it’s EPA-registered.
A Surface-Specific, All-Purpose Cleaner OR Soapy Water
For many surfaces, routine cleaning with an all-purpose cleaner or soapy water is enough to prevent the spread of germs. If someone in your home is sick or immunocompromised, you can take the routine a step further by using a disinfectant afterwards.
High-Touch Surfaces Throughout the Home
Even if they may not appear dirty, regularly touched areas can harbor and spread germs. Clean areas like light switches, especially those that are touched upon entering the home, by using a damp Bravo Paper Towel and soapy water to wipe down.
Next is doorknobs, both interior and exterior. These surfaces are touched dozens of times each day and act as a gateway for outside germs to get inside. Wipe down with soapy water or a multi-purpose cleaner. It is especially important to wipe down these surfaces after having visitors from outside of your household.
Where to Find Germs & Bacteria in Your Kitchen
Flu-causing germs are not the only danger that may be hiding in your home. Bacteria like salmonella, E. coli and listeria can be found on surfaces when prepping raw meats. Always use separate cutting boards for raw meat, keeping them away from produce.
When cooking and dishes are complete, wipe down all surfaces using a multi-purpose kitchen cleaner and Bravo Paper Towels. Bacteria can hitchhike on your hands during cooking, so pay special attention to handles on your oven, microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator and sink.
Where to Find Germs & Bacteria in Your Bathroom
Aside from the obvious, there are some bathroom areas you may not expect germs to be hiding. Each time you flush, tiny water droplets can escape from the toilet bowl onto the floor. It is crucial to frequently wipe down the floor and the caulking around your toilet to prevent bacteria on the floor from being tracked around the house. Disinfect with a Bravo Paper Towel and a disinfectant made for the bathroom to limit the spread of germs.
Just like in the kitchen, dirty hands are touching faucets often. Start by using your bathroom disinfectant to wipe down the handles and move to the area around the fixture to prevent the growth of pink mold bacteria (Serratia marcescens). A clean bathroom is a healthy bathroom. Following these steps outside of your typical cleaning routine can help keep it that way! While some germs can increase around flu season, the spread of many germs and bacteria is not seasonal. If the immune system is fighting off illness, the body can become more susceptible to irritants that might otherwise not cause an issue. To keep your family safe and healthy, don’t forget to wipe down surfaces thoroughly and often. Pick up Bravo Paper Towels and other cleaning supplies you need at a Target, Woodman’s or Sendik’s store near you, or online at Target.com.