DON’T LET BAD BUGS BITE YOU
Families urged to act & win at germ warfare in the home
FAMILIES are being urged to replace common household items within their home like towels, shower curtains and toilet brushes to get rid of germs.
Bed sheets, chopping boards and toothbrushes become germ-infested over time – and new research shows which household items need changing most.
Regularly cleaning and smell tests do help to reduce risks but germs and bacteria are still present, according to interior experts at Online Bedrooms.
A company spokesperson said: “Even [mobile phone] screen protectors require replacement annually, just like toothbrushes.
“Irish households are being told how often they need to replace household items to prevent germs and bacteria from spreading throughout their home.
“We have revealed how often items such as shower curtains, sponges and toothbrushes need to be changed to avoid a germ infestation.
“When the durability of household items starts to wear down, a simple clean or bleach can only keep it surviving for a short while before it will need replacing for good.”
He continued: “While many use the good old smell test to check its condition, a fresh scent doesn’t mean that it’s not covered in harmful bacteria.
“Towels, chopping boards and even screen protectors require replacement annually with others including toothbrushes and shower curtains needing to be changed more often.”
Shower curtains should be changed after three months, warned the germbusting experts. The excess water leads to mould growth due to the heavy moisture conditions.
They claimed it is best to swap these regularly as “there’s only so much mould spray can do to stop its growth”.
Bed sheets must be replaced every two years, it is claimed.
The spokesperson said: “Bed sheets that have been used for two years are a welcoming home to germs and even dust mites.
“They still like to infest bedding even after it’s been cleaned, so once you notice a foul smell or even itchiness from sleeping on the sheets, they likely need replacing.”
Change sponges as soon as a smell lingers, according to the spokesperson.
She said: “There’s no time frame for when sponges should be replaced, but if they start to smell after excess usage, it’s a clear indication they need swapping.
“To make them last longer, be sure to ring out any excess water after
Regular cleaning and smell tests do help you to reduce risks SPOKESPERSON FOR ONLINE BEDROOMS STUDY
each use.” Chopping boards last a year and toilet brushes only nine months, according to the research report.
It stated: “The marks from knives can cause bacteria to deepen into the chopping board and could potentially lead to contamination of food, which can be potentially harmful when it comes to preparing meats and fish.
“Nobody wants a dirty toilet brush in their home, particularly one which has outstayed its welcome.
“While they can be cleaned with bleach and toilet cleaner, the bacteria tend to linger on the stems of the brush. They should be swapped out every nine months.
“Research shows that our mobile devices can be as filthy as a toilet seat, particularly the front screens.”
The report continued: “Many people buy a cover for the front to prevent the screen from being damaged, but this can accumulate tons of bacteria from the constant typing and swiping which is why it’s recommended to replace it once a year.
“Rugs should be changed every three years. For many, rugs are the centrepiece features in a home, but underneath the beautiful display lies a haven for germ infestation.
“Hoovering the rug and constantly walking over it leads to harmful bacteria going deeper into the material.
“Change a toothbrush after six months. The bottom of the toothbrush is a pit for bacteria.”
The spokesperson added: “Some people don’t realise how often things in our home may need replacing from a hygiene point of view. If things look clean, we simply leave it be.
“However, there’s a real danger of not replacing some of these items such as the toilet brush or even frying pans — as the germs that linger can cause a range of health problems.
“Have a look around the home and think about how long you’ve had some of these items. If they’ve been in use for a long while, it may be time to get the bin bag out.”