Many are unaware of the importance and the frequency with which we must change, clean or replace the products we use in everyday life
According to the specialist, it is advisable to change and wash the towels with which you dry your whole body, after three to four uses.Many people think that when cleaning your house like sweeping, sweeping, mopping, scouring, disinfecting surfaces and washing clothes, among other household tasks, it is enough to eliminate all the dirty and germs present.
However, many are unaware of the importance and frequency with which we must change, clean or replace personal items of daily use, such as bedding, towels and bath mats, sponges and cloths, and toothbrushes.
Here is some daily use.
Bed linen
The health specialist says that bedding, such as pillowcases, sheets, and mattress covers, contain different microorganisms. Among them, house dust mites and bacteria, in addition to fungal spores, pollen, skin flakes, dust, dandruff, hair, body fluid wastes, and dirt, so it is important to wash them weekly with hot water.
It also recommends drying the bedding in the sun as it is very effective in removing germs.
However, warns that in the case of sick or bedridden people will be required to change the bedding more frequently.
“If you are a person suffering from asthma and allergies, the mattress covers and pillows cover must be waterproof, in order to reduce the presence of dust and mites, since these are triggers of these conditions,” he adds. Pillows can be washed twice a year in hot water, as do quilts and duvets, depending on their frequency of use. Suggest changing the pillows annually.
In addition, advise that when changing bedding, vacuum cleaner, and a damp cloth to matress and pillows before re-dressing.
Bedding, depending on your material and care, can last for many years.
Bathroom towels
Are you one of those who thinks that because you use the towel after you bathe it does not get dirty? Figueroa Sánchez points out that bath towels absorb moisture, dead cells and bacteria from our skin, creating environments conducive to the continuous growth of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, which is associated with skin infections. The towels, also catch foul smell and dirty.
According to the specialist, it is advisable to change and wash the towels with which you dry your whole body, after three to four uses. “And these should be washed in hot water,” he says.
Towels used to clean face or hands should be changed daily.
In addition, it says that one should not share the towels used with other people to avoid contact with other bacteria.
Towels have a very long shelf life. Some health experts believe that they can be used throughout life, as long as they are clean. It is suggested to replace the existing towels with new ones when they are very deteriorated or they lose the capacity of absorption.
Similar to bath towels, fabric bath mats, retain moisture, bacteria, and dirt. It is recommended to clean them every two weeks.
Sponges and scouring cloths
These items are the most used kitchen utensils to facilitate the cleaning of dishes, cutlery, sinks and kitchen surfaces and help keep everything flawless. However, these great allies of kitchen hygiene can become the worst enemies of health when not used properly.
“The function of these cleaning items is to remove the food residue left on the dishes and utensils after having prepared and served the food. During this process, much of the remains are absorbed by the sponge and the fabric of the cloth and, combined with moisture, create a favorable environment for bacterial growth, especially because it remains wet until a subsequent use “Says Figueroa Sánchez.
The health expert assures that sponges and scouring cloths are suitable environments for the growth and survival of bacteria, mainly those of coliform type that are those that live in our intestinal tract. Among the most common that have been found in microbiological studies are E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter.
Some experts in the area of microbiology and public health indicate that sponges and scouring cloths have more bacteria and dirty than a toilet or flip-up lid.
The porosity of these materials allows the rapid absorption of the waste and retain the dirty and microorganisms that seep into the process of cleaning the kitchen utensils.
For this reason, says the doctor that these cloths and sponges need to be disinfected after use. “Rinse the sponge or cloth with scrubbing liquid is not enough, as this type of detergent does not completely eliminate the pathogens that are in the interior with the food remains.”
Therefore, it emphasizes that the most effective way to eliminate bacteria in these products is heating it in a microwave or in the dishwasher with a drying cycle. For disinfection in the microwave should be cleaned with clean water and put to warm for two minutes at maximum temperature.
It also recommends:
Clean the sponge or cloth after each wash and put it to dry to prevent the growth of bacteria.
Adopt a rotation system with two sponges or cloths in order to always use one clean while washing the other.
Remove all remaining leftover food after washing dishes, cutlery, glasses and other kitchen utensils.
If dishes or other kitchen utensils have some kind of animal fat, ideally clean them first with a disposable paper towel.
If the kitchen utensils have blood or other raw meat residue, it is advisable to rinse with water and disinfect without using the rag or sponge.
Do not use the sponge or scouring cloth to clean the surfaces of the kitchen, have another cloth or towel to clean surfaces.
Towels or kitchen towels
Generally, in the kitchen, we use towels or rags to dry the dishes and kitchen utensils after the scrub.
That same towel or rag is used to clean kitchen surfaces.
“This common practice is wrong because we are transferring bacteria from one surface to another, contaminating the different areas of the kitchen. Therefore, it is suggested to use a towel or cloth for the drying of dishes and a different one for the cleaning of surfaces. Towels or kitchen towels should be washed after each use, “says Figueroa.
Toothbrush
A good toothbrush is important for oral care. Consequently, a toothbrush whose bristles are damaged or worn out is ineffective in removing food waste and plaque that builds up in the teeth. That is why the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends changing the toothbrush every three months. In the case of children and immunocompromised persons, it is suggested that the toothbrush is replaced more frequently.
The mouth houses hundreds of germs that are transferred to the toothbrush during brushing and these can survive in the brush for several days. “Also toothbrushes are contaminated with blood, saliva, food residues, toothpaste, hands and the environment; Since these are stored near the sink, bath or toilet,
The health expert advises that in addition to changing the brushes every three months, rinse with clean water every time we use.
“However, this will not remove the bacteria in their entirety. You can clean it with a mouthwash, particularly patients suffering from oral or immunocompromised bleeding, “he suggests.
A study in Brazil that evaluated different disinfectant solutions to clean the toothbrushes, concludes that the use of white vinegar is effective to reduce a considerable amount of the bacteria that accumulate in them.