Germ Hot Spots In Your House

You may scrub your toilet and countertops until they shine, but when it comes to the war between you and germs, consider yourself outnumbered. Here with advice for wiping out some of the worst germs you may be overlooking is Rebekah George from Prevention Magazine.

George said that the kitchen faucet, dish towel, refrigerator seal, soap dispenser, ketchup bottle, vacuum cleaner and welcome mat are all breeding grounds for germs. For more about these germ hot spots and others and how to wipe them out, check out the latest issue of Prevention Magazine or visit www.prevention.com.

GERM HOT SPOTS AND VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP...

Kitchen Faucet
That metal aeration screen at the end of the faucet is a total germ magnet.
• Running water keeps the screen moist, an ideal condition for bacteria growth. Because tap water is far from sterile, if you accidentally touch the screen with dirty fingers or food, bacteria can grow on the faucet.
• Over time, bacteria build up and form a wall of pathogens called biofilm that sticks to the screen. That biofilm eventually may even be big enough to break off and get onto your food or dishes-ick!
Keep It Clean: Once a week, remove the screen and soak it in a diluted bleach solution--follow the directions on the label. Replace the screen, and let the water run a few minutes before using.

Dish Towel
• You know a sponge can harbor nasty germs, but dish towels are just as dangerous. A recent study of hundreds of homes across the United States found that about 7% of kitchen towels were contaminated with MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), the difficult-to-treat staph bacteria that can cause life-threatening skin infections.
• Dish towels also rated tops for dangerous strains of E. coli and other bacteria. We often use towels to wipe up spills, and then reuse before washing them, which spreads germs.
Keep It Clean: Stick to paper towels to clean countertops, and save the dishrag to dry just-washed pots and plates. Change towels or launder at least twice a week in hot water and bleach.

Soap Dispensers
• About 25% of public restroom dispensers are contaminated by fecal bacteria. Soap that harbors bacteria may sound ironic, but that's exactly what a recent study found.
• Most of these containers are never cleaned, so bacteria grows as the soap scum builds up. And the bottoms are touched by dirty hands, so there's a continuous culture going on feeding millions of bacteria.
Keep It Clean: Be sure to scrub hands thoroughly for 15 to 20 seconds with plenty of hot water--and if you have an alcohol gel disinfectant, use that, too.

Refrigerator Seal
• Do you scrub the inside of your fridge? It's not enough. A University of Arizona survey of 160 homes in three US cities found that the seal around the fridge tested positive 83% of the time for common molds.
• The mold can spread every time the refrigerator door opens -- exposing anyone who's susceptible to allergies and potentially contaminating the food.
Keep It Clean: Wipe fridge seals at least once a week with a diluted bleach solution or disinfectant.

Vacuum Cleaner
• Vacuums -- including the brushes and bags -- are like meals-on-wheels for bacteria.
• You suck in all this bacteria and food, creating an atmosphere for growth. A recent study found that 13% of all vacuum cleaner brushes tested positive for E. coli, which means you could spread it around the house each time you use the appliance.
Keep It Clean: Change your vacuum bag frequently, and do so outdoors to avoid the cloud of bacteria that filters into the air. (Vacuum bags that feature antibacterial linings are best, and are available for many major brands.) Clean the cavity of a bagless vacuum with diluted bleach and let it air-dry.

Welcome Mat
• It serves to greet not only your guests but also all the bugs on the bottoms of their shoes. In fact, one study found that nearly 96% of shoe soles had traces of coliform, which includes fecal bacteria.
• The area near your front door is one of the dirtiest in the house. Once bacteria plant their stakes in your mat, anytime you walk on it, you give them a free ride into your home.
Keep It Clean: Spray the doormat once a week with a fabric-safe disinfectant (such as Lysol Disinfectant Spray). Leave shoes at the door, and avoid resting bags and groceries on the mat, too.

Restaurant Ketchup Bottle
• Those condiments on the tabletop are grimier than you think. It's the rare eatery that regularly bleaches down condiment containers. And the reality is that many people don't wash their hands before eating.