Tips To Maintain Cleanliness and Hygiene in Your Home Tips To Maintain Cleanliness and Hygiene in Your H | Page 6

you) here are Roberts’ tips for often you should wash or replace things in order to keep germs
at bay.
Sheets and pillowcases
Washing bedding once a week is a good habit to adopt. To make this more achievable, buy an
extra set or two. And if you let a pet sleep on your bed, you might want to consider cleaning
your sheets more regularly or getting them their own bed. But, you ask, what about when
Fluffy’s big, sad eyes make your heart break a little after you kick her off the bed? If she must
sleep there, establish a better hygiene routine for her. Remember, the mud your dog rolled in
or that mouse your cat caught are all joining you at bedtime. To counter this ickiness, bathe
your pet if they get dirty, wipe their paws if they were outside and wipe their backside after
they do their business.
Showers and tubs
If you like taking baths, clean your tub after each use to prevent soap scum buildup. Showers
can be cleaned less often, but keep an eye out for mold. It’s especially common in the Pacific
Northwest and if spotted should be dealt with right away. (And no: That slimy pink stuff
encircling your shower drain isn’t mold, but bacteria, and it’s probably not that dangerous
unless you have a weak immune system.) To prevent mold from growing, use your bathroom
fan when you shower and wipe off excess water that builds up on any walls or shelves.
Towels
Cleaning your towels every week is fine—as long as you let them dry out between uses.
Bacteria loves damp towels, so if you insist on crumpling your towel into a heap on your
bathroom counter when you’re done with it, wash it after every two or three uses.
Kitchen and bathroom sponges
Food particles that hide out on damp sponges can breed bacteria, so make sure you wash
sponges regularly in very hot soapy water, every week or more. The best way to prevent a
bacteria infestation is to buy sponges you can throw in the dishwasher or washing machine.
Toilet bowl brushes
Even if you rinse off or clean your toilet brush after use, it probably still has fecal particles on it
(gross). Instead, toss it out and opt for a disposable version.
Loofahs and body poufs