I’m not 100% positive, but I think my brain is hemorrhaging.
My eyes sting, my sinuses are on fire, and my temples are sizzling from what feels like an acid-like substance that’s coursing through my veins instead of blood.
Oh, and my 7-year-old is going on week three of her cold from purgatory.
And by purgatory I mean one step away from Hell, not Heaven.
Our doctor, along with every other health expert I’ve seen yapping it up on morning news shows this week, keep reminding us to wash our hands “thoroughly,” as we are smack in the middle of flu season. According to medical gurus, consistent hand-scrubbing is essential, especially if you have young children at home (and even more so if you are changing a lot of soiled diapers).
In addition to sanitizing your skin, doctors recommend disinfecting high-traffic areas, such as floors, toilets, door knobs, light switches and sinks, as they can turn into party central for bacteria overnight.
Blah, blah, blah… you’ve heard it all before, right?
The aforementioned places are no-brainers when comes to cleaning. After all, by now, most of us realize that to minimize the spread of bacteria we have to sanitize things that get touched the most. However, what you may not have considered is that toilet handles, faucets and light switches are not the only places in your home that see a lot of grubby finger action. A new study found the following common household items are just as nasty:
Toothbrush holder: When was the last time you looked inside your toothbrush holder? If you have a capped holder, you may be grossed out by the mold growing inside. Those germs can spread to your toothbrush if you are not careful. To get rid of the gunk, soak the holder in a mixture of bleach and water for about an hour. Then rinse and dry it upside-down on a dish rack.
Toilet roll holder: When you are done sanitizing your toothbrush holder, you might want to do the same with the toilet roll holder. The small, yet pivotal bathroom fixture often goes unnoticed and underappreciated, at least by humans, not so much by bacteria and other germs. According to health experts, each time you flush the toilet without closing the lid, water and bodily fluids spray out of the pot, and can collect on the holder. While you may discount the threat because you figure you only touch the roll holder to refill the paper, doctors maintain that it only takes one exposure to get sick. The solution: Once a month, simply soak the holder in bleach and water mixture to kill any germs that may be on it.
Salt and pepper shakers: Here’s something that may incite your inner frugalista. Health experts recommend tossing out your salt and pepper shakers when they are empty. Doctors warn not to refill the shakers, as they can be infested with harmful bacteria. According to researchers at the University of Virginia, salt and pepper shakers often house the highest concentration of cold and flu viruses. If you insist on reusing your shakers, clean them thoroughly in a dishwasher or use antibacterial wipes to disinfect the outer surfaces after each use.
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