Even some of the tidiest homes are susceptible to unwelcome germs. Use these ideas to keep your home healthy and germ-free!

While a lot of people enjoy living in a clean, beautiful home and work hard to keep it that way, even some of the tidiest homes are susceptible to unwelcome germs. Below are the best five tips to keep your home healthy and germ-free!

Tip#1 : Keep your kitchen spotless
Most of the germs in your household are found in your kitchen. Whether they’re in the sink, on the countertops, hiding in sponges, or on your cutting boards, kitchens harbor hundreds of thousands of harmful bacteria. After you cook a meal, make sure that you scrub down your countertops with disinfecting wipes or use a sponge with soap and water. When you’ve finished, put your sponge in the dishwasher and clean that too!

Tip #2 : Wash your wet laundry immediately
Wet laundry is a hotspot for germs, especially if it’s kept inside of your dirty hamper. Moisture and darkness serve as a breeding ground for bacteria and the longer that they sit there, the more infested your laundry will become. Wash your wet laundry as soon as your take it off your back and make sure it gets washed in hot water. Transfer the clothing to the dryer as soon as the washing cycle is finished to avoid germs from multiplying. It’s a great idea to rinse the washer with vinegar once you’ve finished doing laundry to kill off any remaining bacteria.

Tip #3 : Be mindful of your toothbrush
Our mouths are home to over 100 million microbes and they eat the same things we do. So, when you brush your teeth, particles of food and bacteria stick to your toothbrush and if not kept in the right conditions, could foster more germs. In order to avoid an overgrowth of bacteria on your toothbrush, leave it standing up in a cup to air dry. Avoid putting it on your bathroom counter where it can contract other germs or inside a travel case where the moisture will just make things worst.

Tip #4 : Your bathroom should a clean haven
Your bathroom is a place dedicated to providing hygiene, and as such, should be very hygienic itself. Every time you take a shower, you wash off bacteria and viruses from your body, but unfortunately they linger in your bathtub. Disinfect your bathtub or shower once a week with an anti-bacterial cleanser. Also, be sure to close the lid of your toilet before you flush as fecal matter sprays onto the bathroom floor, resulting in the floor containing more germs than the actual toilet seat.

Tip #5 : Leave your shoes by the door
Last but not least, consider taking off your shoes before you enter your home as they carry loads of dirt, chemicals, and pathogens on their soles. Your shoes track everything you walk in outside to the inside of your home, which can include dog feces, pesticides, mud, and pollen that can cause allergies. The simplest solution is to have a doormat, wipe your shoes as you enter, and leave them by the door.

Tips to Keep a Healthy Home by Felise Eber | Coldwell Banker Blue Matter