New research has revealed a third of Brits give their home an extra deep clean during spring. As the days get warmer and lighter, over 50% say that having a clean kitchen and bathroom is important for their family's health. Whether you love it or hate it, cleaning is a fact of life - and no matter how much you loathe scrubbing up in those marigolds, we bet you loathe bacteria and germs even more. So this spring, ensure the following top ten germy hotspots are hygienically clean and give your home a 'hygiene healthover'.
Home and Garden on Female First
The Chopping Board - Chopping boards have been found to harbour around 200% more faecal bacteria than the average toilet seat1. Immediately clean and disinfect your chopping board after use with an anti-bacterial product.
The Kitchen Sink - The average kitchen sink contains 100,000 times more bacteria than the bathroom sink1. Ensure you regularly apply a liquid disinfectant and leave to soak overnight.
The Dishcloth - A recent study revealed that 60% of UK dishcloths were contaminated with E. coli2 - one of the main causes of food poisoning. A staggering 85% of Brits fail to wash their dishcloths at high enough temperatures2, which should be frequently washed at 60°C to kill bacteria.
The Washing Machine - When you wash at temperatures below 60°C, bacteria can survive and transfer between garments in the wash. Experts refer to this as 'bacterial soup', with as many as one million bacteria living in just two tablespoons of wash water. Add an anti-bacterial laundry cleanser to your wash to kill bacteria, and once a week run your machine on a hot wash of 90°C.
The Shower - The combination of warmth, moisture and poor ventilation can potentially result in many bathrooms becoming a breeding ground for mould, mildew and bacteria. Keep your bathroom well ventilated and clean your shower curtain with a suitable disinfectant to reduce mould and the risk of respiratory problems.
The Toilet - Unsurprisingly, the toilet is commonly the dirtiest item in our home. Always put the lid down before flushing to prevent the spread of bacteria and regularly wipe around surface areas with an anti-bacterial wipe.
The Bathroom Sink - The average bathroom sink contains 2,733 bacteria per square inch2. Apply Dettol Power & Pure Advance Bathroom Spray to kill 99.9% of bacteria and tackle tough dirt whilst the Active Oxygen formula ensures no harsh chemical residue is left behind. Unlike traditional bleach based products which recommend extensive rinsing to remove potentially harmful chemicals and skin irritants, Dettol Power & Pure Advance can be spritzed, wiped and no need to rinse - the powerful cleaning agents simply break down to oxygen and water leaving nothing but sparkling, hygienically clean surfaces.
The Bed - Mattresses can become reservoirs of human cells, dust mites, bacteria, fungal elements, pollen, dander and excretions of the body. Vacuum your mattress and change, wash and launder bed linen on a weekly basis separately from other clothing with an anti-bacterial laundry cleanser.
The Highchair - Infants are at a higher risk of picking up illnesses such as the flu while their immune systems are developing. Ensure to wash, clean and dry surfaces where young children eat before every meal to remove potentially harmful bacteria.
Soft Furnishings - Curtains, sofa covers and other soft furnishings can all harbour allergens such as pet dander, dust mites and pollen particles. Limiting these items on surfaces can help minimise the risk of an allergic reaction, so apply a disinfectant spray to all soft furnishings.