As the world combats the COVID-19 pandemic, not a day goes by without officials reminding us to practice good hygiene.
However, practising goody hygiene goes beyond washing our hands and not touching our faces.
While we have no control over the cleanliness of surfaces outside of our homes, we can ensure our home space is always clean. This means more than wiping down the kitchen counter and cleaning your bathroom.
To keep you and your family healthy, we look at some of the items which you should be cleaning on a regular basis.
Keyboard
Computers play a major role in our daily lives. It is very seldom where we don’t find ourselves behind our computer, which is why it comes as no surprise that it is most likely exposed to several forms of bacteria.
In fact, a 2018 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, claims person’s keyboard may be crawlingwith staphylococcus aureus, which can cause potentially serious infections in humans.
Your rings
Wedding rings and engagement rings are symbols of commitment and love. But it is also apparently the ideal breeding ground for bacteria and other germs.
In 2009, researchers at the University of Oslo found that wearing rings increases the total number of bacteria on healthworkers’ hands.
In fact, people who wear rings are twice as likely to be exposed to Enterobacteriaceae than those who don’t wear rings.
So, be sure to keep your jewellery clean with hot water, along with antibacterial dish soap or jewellery cleaner.
Your cellphone
Our cellphones go everywhere with us. However, we also tend it to put it on a wide range of different services, from the coffee table to the bar counter, with very little thought.
With us putting our phones on random services, just how clean are they actually?
According to a 2017 study of healthcare workers’ phones published in the Iranian Journal of Micobiology, 46 percent of participants had six different types of bacterial growth on their phones.
Be sure to wipe down your phone with a damp cloth, with rubbing alcohol, which can kill much of the unwanted bacteria on your phone.
Your television’s remote control
With South Africans sitting at home for the lockdown, many of us are catching up with our favourite television series. However, remote controls are also exposed to scores of different germs, due to us touching a wide range of items throughout the day.
To clean your TV remote control, it is important to first remove the batteries. Then use a clean cloth dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol to wipe down the remote. Use a Q-Tip to carefully clean the buttons.
It is important to ensure the remote is completely dry before replacing the batteries.
Credit and debit cards
Whether withdrawing cash or paying with your cards, your credit and debit card are exposed to high traffic places. Which is why it is instrumental to clean them on a regular basis.
As we now enter the third week of the nationwide lockdown, be sure to do your part in the fight against COVID-19. Stay safe and avoid leaving your home, unless it is necessary.
