Hi! Thanks for returning to my blog for #worldwednesday. Many of us remember being told to, "wash our hands", when growing up. But now, more than ever--our focus is on eliminating germs. Here are some cleaning tips to protect your family:
Start in the laundry room--think your washing machine is one of the cleanest places in your house? Think again. Dirty laundry can fill your washer and future loads of laundry--with bacteria and viruses. To keep it fresh, run your washer empty with a cup of bleach once a week. To kill germs, wash and dry your laundry at the highest temperature the fabric can stand.
Really clean your towels--if only one person is using a towel, wash it once a week. Wash after each use if someone is sick. Wash gym towels after each workout. Wash kitchen towels separately from bathroom towels.
Sanitize your family room. Germs hang out where you do, especially in spots everyone touches like televisions, coffee tables, remote controls and video controllers. Clean them often with disinfectant wipes. Use a damp microfiber cloth to gently wipe dust from your flat screen TV. Vacuum crumbs and clean spills right away, so bacteria doesn't grow in your carpets and furniture.
Clean knobs and railings. Germs spread quickly on doorknobs, cabinet handles, railings, faucets, light switches, and lamps. Sanitize these surfaces once a week with disinfecting wipes or a disinfecting cleaner. Do it more often if someone in your family is sick or if you have guests. This will help kill viruses like COVID-19 and the flu.
Electronics-computer keyboards, desktops and telephones are breeding grounds for germs, especially if you share equipment or eat while you work. Shake out your keyboard often, or use a vacuum attachment to remove junk. Then use a wipe to disinfect it. Wipe your computer screen with a damp microfiber cloth.
Sanitize the kitchen sink. The kitchen sink is the second germiest place in the house. The kitchen sponge is number one. Bacteria from raw meats and other foods flourish and grow in your sink. Scrub it with a disinfecting cleanser every day. And that sponge? Wet it and zap it in the microwave for two minutes each day to help kill any E. coli and salmonella lurking there.
Keep your countertops clean. Wash them every time you prepare food. First, wash them with hot soapy water to get rid of any gunk and grime you can see. Then use a solution of 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water to sanitize them. Let them air dry. To help keep your counters germ-free, don't put your purse, laptop, phone, mail or anything else on top of them.
Tackle the refrigerator. Keep your fridge clean by washing the inside walls, doors and shelves with hot soapy water every few months. To get rid of smells, use a mix of half water and half white vinegar. Always clean refrigerator spills right away.
Scour the bathroom. Make an all purpose bathroom cleaner by mixing two tablespoons of dish liquid, two tablespoons ammonia, and one quart of warm water. Use this for the tub, sink, floors, and shower. Rinse with clean water. A baking soda paste can help get rid of marks in the sink or tub. Using a squeegee on shower walls after each shower helps stop mold and mildew from growing.
Put a lid on toilet germs. Leaving the lid up when you flush can spread fecal matter and germs all over your bathroom, even to your toothbrush. To limit nasty germs, clean your toilet bowl weekly-and keep the lid down. Use a wet cloth and an all-purpose cleaner to wash the lid, seat and outside of the bowl. Then use a toilet brush and the cleaner to scrub inside the bowl.
Make your own "greener" cleaner. Diluted bleach is best for disinfecting against germs. But for everyday cleaning, you can't beat white distilled vinegar. Mix one part white vinegar and nine parts water in a spray bottle or bucket. It will safely clean most surfaces and remove grease. Plus, it's safe to use around kids and pets.
Don't forget hallways and carpets. When you walk through your house wearing shoes, you're tracking in everything you've stepped on outside, including E. coli and other bacteria that can cause illness. For the cleanest floors and carpets, and the least mess, leave your shoes at the door. If you do wear shoes inside, vacuum carpets and wash floors once a week.
Stop back next #worldwednesday for more helpful suggestions. See you soon! Warmly, Susan