How many times do you brush your teeth? Experts say it’s a must to clean the teeth twice per day for two minutes. After every use, do you rinse your toothbrush correctly and do you keep it in the bathroom? We hope you let it air dry first and that you keep it nowhere near the toilet bowl.
According to an article published by The Sun, “your toothbrush can contain at least 200,000 bacteria per square inch – that’s more than a toilet seat.” The same feature also mentioned that a study done by the University of Manchester found that deadly bacteria such as staphylococci and E.coli find a home in your toothbrush, too. The thought of putting bacteria in our mouth every day can be unsettling, but knowing the kinds of germs in the bathroom and where they settle can help us clean the space better to keep the family safe.
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Here are the dirtiest spots in the bathroom
Forgetting to replace your toothbrush and not thoroughly cleaning bathroom surfaces can turn the T&B into a big breeding ground for germs like bacteria, fungi and viruses.
Shower area
In an article by GQ, Elite Facility Systems CEO Tricia Holderman says, “the shower is where we all deposit our old skin, germs, and dirt. A wide variety of bacteria, fungus, and yeast can thrive in such an environment.” As much as possible, you may want to wear non-slip bathroom slippers as a precaution. Disinfect the shower area using disinfecting wipes and your trusty disinfecting spray. Don’t forget to leave the shower curtain open to air it out.
Toothbrushes
An article by Reader’s Digest says that over 10 million bacteria reside in the toothbrush, a portion of which comes from “fecal matter that’s sprayed around the room every time you flush the toilet.” You can keep your toothbrush in the bedroom or if you really need to store in the bathroom, don’t forget to replace your toothbrush every two to three months.
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Handles and switches
Light switches, door handles, and cabinet knobs – we touch these every time we use the bathroom, and it’s one of the reasons why bacteria gets transferred from one spot to another. Holderman suggests wiping these surfaces with disinfecting wipes before leaving the bathroom.
Toilet
The Sun reports that “deep inside the toilet bowl is a hive of germy activity with 3.2 million bacteria per square inch found. The average toilet seat is covered in about 295 bacteria per square inch, and the flush handle can be home to in as much as 83 bacteria per square inch.” That’s a lot in total, don’t you agree? When you clean the bathroom – even if you’re busy – don’t forget to disinfect these surfaces using your chosen multipurpose cleaner. Always air it out and make sure it’s dry to avoid mold and mildew from joining the bacteria party.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWTowels and bathmats
We hope you’re washing these things regularly! According to Holderman, “MRSA(Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and staphs can last from seven days to seven months on soft surfaces.” To which Dr. Mai Ha or Microban adds, “in general, moisture and humidity will cause more rapid growth of micro-organisms in the absence of any antimicrobial treatment.” Avoid the spread of germs and diseases by washing and replacing your towels, letting them dry completely in between uses, and not waiting for your bathmat to turn black and grimy before washing them.
Choose your cleaning products wisely!
While you want to achieve a clean and safe bathroom, you don’t want to spend thousands in products that won’t deliver results. Dr. Ha suggests using bleach-based cleaners for disinfecting surfaces as these are the “best broad-range disinfectants…The trick is clean often, so nothing builds up. For maximum effectiveness with any cleaner — not to mention safety — be sure to follow the instructions on the label,” she adds.
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