Morina Gael We all interact with a multitude of seemingly innocuous surfaces on a daily basis. New figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, however, suggest that we have one of our best weapons against invisible pathogens hiding in unusual places, and that is hand hygiene. When you know exactly when to suds up, you can help keep your home healthy without spreading the common germs that can be found around you all the time.
The Paper Bills in Your Wallet
It may seem easy to carry cash, but scientists at the National Science Foundation found that there are thousands of bacterial strains on physical banknotes, and a fast wash after purchase is definitely recommended.
Restaurant Menus on Dinner Tables
Rather than eating, head to the bathroom to clean up. Research indicates that shared laminated menus are not often sanitized and can become ‘food havens’ for environmental bacteria.
Digital Touch Screens in Public
The convenience of ordering kiosks and check-in screens at the airport is very common. The microorganisms say these warm glass surfaces can serve as temporary resting spots for the microscopic, transferable germs.
Your Everyday Kitchen Sponge
Believe it or not, the cleaning product you use could be the dirtiest object in your home. The internal tracking has revealed that sponges with moisture have an ideal ecological niche for the rapid multiplication of bacteria.
Common Household Remote Controls
Handed down through the generations and placed in couch cushions, remotes are hardly ever sanitized. Studies indicate that these plastic clickers can carry strains of viruses for several days if they are not cleaned.
Office Breakroom Coffee Pots
The communal coffee pot is a favorite among everyone in the office in the morning. The handle is often a main source of germs spread from the workspace since many hands touch it every day.
The Commuter Gas Pump Handle
Filling up your tank puts you in contact with a highly utilized outdoor surface. Having sanitizer in your car glove box will help until you get to a good sink.
Cutting Boards Used for Prep
The small crevices of wooden or plastic boards may contain undetected residues from raw meats. Washing hands right after handling stuff on the stovetop will stop any bad cross-contamination.
Frequently Handled Gym Equipment
Multiple fitness enthusiasts drop sweat and skin cells onto the free weights and elliptical bars. Scrub after with soap and water to keep hands safe; wiping down the gear helps.
Shared Office Sign-In Pens
You need to use the same plastic pen in doctors’ offices and at reception desks. Those who use these desks are frequently ill, so it’s wise to wash up after.
The Exterior of Your Cellphone
We touch our phones an awful lot, even after using public doors or restrooms. You’re constantly recording your travel with this contact.
Commuter Handrails and Doorknobs
Millions of people commute each day by subway, and the rails and building entrances are places they have to touch. A comprehensive 22-second wash at the end of the journey is still a good protective lifestyle habit to have.
