Poor cleaning habits in the home!

Poor cleaning habits could be bringing potentially deadly bacteria into your home

 

Contrary to popular belief, a study commissioned by Modern Rugs [https://www.modern-rugs.co.uk/] found shoes are not the main reason for bacteria in the home. In fact, the unexpected culprit was something many of us think makes our homes bacteria-free: cleaning!

 

Even in shoes-off homes, bacteria increased when ‘ineffective cleaning’ took place. ‘Ineffective cleaning’ includes using the wrong materials for the job, re-using cloths and mops, or lack of essential appliances, such as dehumidifiers.

 

Harmful bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus increased most significantly when ineffective cleaning took place. Staphylococcus aureus can cause infections such as boils, cellulitis, impetigo, scalded skin syndrome and other skin infections if left untreated. It is also the bacterium that is linked to Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

 

Dawn Mellors, Technical Director at Melbec Microbiology, explains what you need to do to prevent the spread of bacteria:

 

“Effective cleaning usually means using the correct products in the correct order. For instance, not using the same cloth for multiple areas. Carpeted floors, when dirty or damp, are an additional threat for babies, who may be crawling on it. The other threat from carpets is that they harbour dust mites which can increase allergic reactions and asthma. Rugs are a safer option as they cover a relatively small area, so probably would not pose a threat to your health like a damp, dirty carpet may do.”

 

Some top tips for reducing the spread of bacteria include:

  • Use only clean and dry cloths. Avoid using the same cloth for multiple areas
  • If your house suffers with damp, a humidifier will be useful. Humidifiers prevent
  • the spread of fungus and potentially infectious bacteria
  • Use a steam cleaner and a mop to prevent bacteria growing on food sources
  • Add a HEPA filter to your vacuum cleaner to stop microbes spreading
  • Opt for hardwood floors in high-traffic areas. They can be cleaned thoroughly and harbour fewer potentially dangerous bacterium.

For more tips on cleaning, visit the blog.