Everyone knows we need to keep our house clean. Everyone said so. From our parents to our teachers, to cleaning ads that we see all over, society tells us to keep a clean house. But is it really necessary to clean your home? Of course. Even science agrees that having a clean house leads to a healthier life. On the opposite end, leaving your home dirty and disorganized can lead to disease from bacterias and germs infesting the place. Not to mention the potential effects it has on your mental health.
However, sometimes no matter how much we vacuum, or clean the windows, or disinfect our bathrooms, it feels that we’re not doing enough. And we probably are. Bacterias are tiny, small at a microscopic level. Being that, the human eye simply cannot see what is dirty versus what is not. Something might seem clean the first time we look at it, but underneath that shiny facade lies a thousand micro-organisms that can cause harm to you and your family.
So how can you make sure that your house is clean? While there isn’t one definite way to kill all bacterias, it doesn’t mean there is nothing we can do. Below are some ways to make sure your home is a clean and healthy place for your family.
Clean Your Kitchen
It’s a given that the kitchen needs to be clean. It’s where we prepare store, prepare, and cook our food. But since we introduce many objects from the outside to our kitchen (namely, ingredients from the market or store), it’s inevitable that the kitchen becomes dirty- even if it does look clean.
One of the best ways to maintain kitchen cleanliness is cleaning before and after cooking. Clean the sink, the faucet, and the kitchen counter, whenever you use them. Frequent cleaning means less need for a major deep clean, and you’re maintaining the sanitation and hygiene in your cooking area. Make sure that you clean your dishes and utensils properly as well, as they can hold germs that can enter our digestive system and harm us. If you have a water filtration system, make sure to get your water softener repaired or cleaned. Especially since the buildup of minerals can damage your plumbing system.
When it comes to food handling, make sure that raw animal products are kept away from other ingredients. This is to prevent cross-contamination, as raw meat can contain bacterias that are only cleaned when prepared for cooking.
Declutter and Organize Your Garage
It’s easy to let the garage become cluttered. It’s where most of us store unused items, it’s where personal vehicles (such as bicycles, skateboards, motorcycles, cars, etc) are kept, and also where tools are stored. This easily leads to a place that’s rife with germs and sometimes even pests.
Don’t forget to clean and organize your garage, as the dark and cold nooks and crannies make great space for pests to breed and infest. Make sure to remove any small, obstructive boxes and instead, use a large tight plastic container to store your items. Consider donating or selling things that you don’t use anymore to reduce clutter.
It’s also a great idea to clean tools, such as garden tools and lawn equipment before storing them. The dirt left on these tools can house insects and other small parasites that can infest your home, starting from your garage. It might feel like a chore to clean the tools you need to store, but that’s what it means to keep your house safe from germs.
Keep Your Bedroom Clean
Of course, we can’t forget the bedroom! Being that we sleep in the bedroom, it’s easy to mistake it for being cleaner than the rest of the house. It might seem spotless, but germs can hide in the most inconspicuous places- namely your bed, pillows, and curtains.
Make sure to regularly wash your bed sheet, pillowcases, blankets, and curtains. Nothing feels better than a freshly washed bed sheet and pillowcase- you will feel better knowing they’re clean too. You can also clean the mattress by spreading baking soda on the surface, letting it sit for around an hour, and then vacuum it up later. While you’re at it, make sure to vacuum the underside of the bed as well. Regularly cleaning your sleeping area is necessary to keep annoying pests like bed bugs off of you and your family.
Along with a healthy diet and regular exercise, cleanliness is the key to good health. It doesn’t do to just eat right and exercise daily, you also need a home that’s conducive to living healthy.
