Health Solutions

Hygiene Tips

 

A study made by the Hygiene Council (formed in 2006 as a disease-fighting initiative involving public health experts around the world) found that our homes are loaded with disease-causing germs, including some that migrate from bathrooms. Yikes!
Turn that Yikes into Wow by following this simple hygiene tips for our homes.
Wipe with the right stuff
In most homes, cleaning floors, walls, doorknobs, etc with soap and water is very adequate. However if you need to sanitize an area, use this hygiene tips in making a bleach solution of mixing 1 part bleach in 99 parts tap water. This is effective for stuffs contaminated with blood and body fluids. Wear gloves and goggles especially when pouring or where there is a risk of splashing and must be used in well ventilated areas.  Do not mix this solution with ammonia or soaps containing ammonia (will react and form chlorine gas). Bleach is corrosive to metals.
 
70% ethanol alcohol can be used on smooth metal surfaces, tabletops, and on others where bleach cannot be used. Safety is always a part of hygiene tips this is why always use ethanol alcohol with care as it is flammable, toxic and always follow safe procedures as listed on the MSDS or the manufacturers instructions. Remember to keep it away from heat sources, electrical equipment, flames and hot surfaces. Allow to completely dry.
 
A dirty cloth won't do any good if you want to use it for cleaning. Do not multi-task just to save on cleaning cloths. Wash re-usable cloths before using them again.
 
Germ free kitchen
 
Our kitchens are frequently visited by microbes, these hygiene tips will help prevent the spread of disease caused by these bacteria.
 
  • Replace sponge frequently, sponges and scrubbers provide the warm, moist conditions and trapped food particles on which bacteria thrive. Microbes multiply into millions in a matter of hours.
 
  • Hygiene tips for sponges include using sponges in the kitchen no longer than a week, and cleaning it between uses with an antibacterial cleaning product then let it dry. Look for thinner sponges, which dry faster.
 
  • To prevent cross-contamination, use separate cleaning materials for each cleaning task in the kitchen and bathroom.
 
  • Empty the vacuum regularly. Dangerous organisms such as salmonella could be multiplying in the vacuum cleaner bag, waiting to be released into the air every time we vacuum.
  • To further prevent bacteria growth, clean and disinfect the garbage can (dustbin) weekly, and use antibacterial garbage bags (bin bags).
 
For more hygiene tips in the kitchen, read our article on hygiene practices.
 
Hygiene tips for a better you
 
Maintaining personal hygiene improves an individual’s physical and emotional wellbeing. Check out hygiene definition for more details. For hygiene tips for kids, check out hygiene for kids while hygiene during menstruation contains hygiene tips for women during their period. More detailed hygiene tips can be seen in our oral care, hair care, skin care and face care sections.