Bathtub Cleaning is Key in Preventing Illness
We all know that the kitchen sink, the floor around the toilet, trash can, and flush handle are places where bacteria live. Most of us do not know that the bathtub is dirtier than any of these. According to a study by Reckitt Benckiser, make of Lysol, the bathtub is the 4th worst place in the home for bacteria. The bathtub is the perfect harbor for bacteria. It is moist, undisturbed environment with plenty of food and warmth. Soap scum and dead skin cells are common aid for bacteria.
What can you do? The good news is this is fairly easy to deal with. Clean the tub at least once a week. This is the key, disinfect it after every use. Lysol will work as well as Clorox Hard Surface. The Clorox product is the one I prefer since it doesn’t have to wiped dry or leave a residue.
No surprise that the toilet bowl was the worst offender. The Hygiene Council recommends cleaning it twice a week. They also recommend flushing the toilet with the lid down. Water droplets can carry germs through the air.
According to their study here is how other places in the home ranked:
Toilet bowl: 3.2 million bacteria/square inch
Kitchen drain: 567,845 bacteria/square inch
Sponge or counter-wiping cloth: 134,630 bacteria/square inch
Bathtub, near drain: 119,468 bacteria/square inch
Kitchen sink, near drain: 17,964 bacteria/square inch
Kitchen faucet handle: 13,227 bacteria/square inch
Bathroom faucet handle: 6,267 bacteria/square inch
Bathroom sink, near drain: 2,733 bacteria/square inch
Pet food dish, inside rim: 2,110 bacteria/square inch
Kitchen floor, in front of sink: 830 bacteria/square inch
Toilet floor, in front of toilet: 764 bacteria/square inch
Kitchen countertop: 488 bacteria/square inch
Bathroom countertop: 452 bacteria/square inch
Garbage bin: 411 bacteria/square inch
Dish towel: 408 bacteria/square inch
Toy: 345 bacteria/square inch
Kitchen tabletop: 344 bacteria/square inch
Home office phone or refrigerator door: 319 bacteria/square inch
Toilet seat: 295 bacteria/square inch
Bathroom light switch: 217 bacteria/square inch
Microwave buttons: 214 bacteria/square inch
Kitchen chopping board: 194 bacteria/square inch
Child-training potty: 191 bacteria/square inch
Infant changing mat and infant high chair: 190 bacteria/square
Kitchen phone: 133 bacteria/square inch
Bathroom door’s inside handle: 121 bacteria/square inch
Toilet’s flush handle: 83 bacteria/square inch
TV remote control: 70 bacteria/square inch
Home office computer keyboard: 64 bacteria/square inch
Home office computer mouse: 50 bacteria/square inch
Don’t forget that simple hand washing can be your best defense against germs. The same cleaning routine you use in your home and bathtub can help you avoid H1N1 (swine flu)