You want your house to be as clean as possible, and many people are now taking that more seriously than ever. “A clean home is one that you're unlikely going to get sick from,” says Dr. Michael Schmidt, professor of microbiology and immunology at the Medical University of South Carolina. “So routine cleaning is something that should be done as often as possible on your part.”
As you gather your house-cleaning supplies, you might not realize how many of them use petroleum. A lot of the disinfectant wipes and sprays, rug cleaners, degreasers, spot removers, and all-purpose household cleaners you use around the house contain petroleum-based solvents that dissolve away dirt, grease and stains. Some ingredients in the cleaners are also coupling agents that help different products adhere to one another, making the cleaner more effective. Petroleum can also be found in plastic and rubber materials that are used in your vacuum cleaners, appliances, gloves, cleaning brushes as well as the cleaning product containers.
So what’s the best way to make sure your house is clean and free of bacteria and viruses? Dr. Schmidt lists a number of steps to take to ensure all your hard work yields the best results.
READ THE LABELS
When it comes to cleaning surfaces such as countertops and sinks, our instinct is usually to spray the disinfectant or cleaner and wipe it off immediately with a towel or sponge. This will not have the desired effect, says Dr. Schmidt. “If you’re trying to keep your house clean of bacteria and viruses, you need to apply the disinfectant and allow it to remain on the surface for the prescribed length of time. This can be 10, 20 or even 30 minutes, depending on whether you’re living in a wetter environment or in a desert community where liquids evaporate quickly.” Of course, make sure that the product you’re using is safe on the material you’re cleaning. This information can usually be found on the label.
START IN THE KITCHEN
We prepare food in the kitchen, cut raw meat, and even sometimes store our trash cans there. Studies have shown that the kitchen sink has more bacteria than the garbage bin. Additionally, if you touch the faucet handle after you’ve washed your hands, it can reintroduce bacteria. That’s why it’s important to start cleaning your kitchen before you move to other parts of the house. You can start by using soap and water and moving to a multisurface or kitchen cleaning spray to wipe down the countertops.
CONTINUE IN THE BATHROOM
It’s pretty obvious why your bathroom would need to be cleaned often. Use toilet cleaners, bathroom sink and shower sprays to disinfect all the areas that would carry bacteria or viruses, including the toilet handle. “The bathroom really requires serious cleaning on a routine basis because of the volume of the microbe that results in you becoming sick,” says Schmidt. “You're never going to have a completely sterile environment. You're just going to be able to keep the microbes at bay so that they don't reach a critical threshold that would make you ill after you leave the bathroom.” Remember to put on rubber gloves when using cleaning products because they can be harsh on your skin.
MOVING ONTO THE BEDROOM AND LIVING AREAS
Wash your sheets and pillowcases at least once a week, says Schmidt. Many laundry detergents, by the way, are petroleum-based to help them effectively remove dirt and stains. And don’t forget to vacuum and dust as often as possible! Dust contains microorganisms, and you can easily suck them up off the floor or use an attachment to remove the dust from blinds and other areas in your rooms.
Cleaning your house isn’t exactly a fun chore, but the importance of keeping it clean and healthy helps reduce the chances of having bacteria and viruses around that can make you and your family sick. Petroleum-based cleaning agents and tools can help create that healthy living space. Make sure to find the best cleaning products for each room and surface, and don’t forget to follow each product’s instructions to ensure you’re using them correctly and efficiently.