Cleanliness is important to protect our family from diseases. But even if we clean our house everyday, germs and bacterias could still thrive in some parts of the home or in some items. The right thing to do is to determine where germs and bacteria are commonly found in the house.
The most common place in the house I know where germ and bacterias easily live is the kitchen. According to studies made by P&G they found 60% of germs in the refrigerator, microwave and kitchen faucet while the bathroom faucet has an 50% infection rate.
Clint Navales, P&G Philippines’ Country Communications Leader, discusses the facts and figures on germs that we encounter every day during the P&G Germ Academy media event.
During the P&G Germ Academy press conference last week, I also learned a very interesting information about the dirtiest item inside the home. Would you believe that the phone receiver is the dirtiest item because it has an 80% infection rate?
In case you still don’t know other germ-infested items in the house are the light switch with 60% infection rate; TV remote and door knob with 50% infection rate.
PAMET President Romeo Joseph Ignacio discusses about germs and diseases that we might get from them during the P&G Germ Academy media event.
Fomites, also helps in the transmission of disease. Fomites are objects that are capable of carrying disease-causing germs. Example are:
- Phones and Mobile Phones
- TV Remote Control
- Computer Keyboard
- Computer Mouse
- Sink Taps/Handles
- Sponges/Cleaning Cloth
- Laundry
How are disease transmitted?
- Pathogen falls on fomites (ex. phones, computer)
- Person picks up pathogen through contaminated fomite
- Person touches nose or eyes with contaminated fingers and become infected with pathogen
- Sick person sneezes, coughs and pathogen falls on fomites or get aerosolized
A P&G Representative doing an actual test using a luminometer.
Cellphone is the dirtiest
Also during the event, P&G used a luminometer – a photometric device that detects a sample’s level of contamination – on some items like cellphone, identification card and watch from some attendees.
The result showed that the cellphone has more than 3,000 RLU (relative light unit), meaning it is the dirtiest of all. The safest measurement is 500 RLU and below.
Notice that we all use our hands to operate the things stated above and that means our hands are vulnerable to germs and bacterias. It is where the germs and bacterias are easily transferred and diseases are spread. To prevent diseases or infection Health Assistant Secretary Dr Eric Tayag, who was one of the speakers promoted frequent hand-washing.
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We clean the floor, the sink or toilet and even wash our clothes using bleach or detergent bars. Some of us even use alternative cleaning agent such as vinegar and baking soda.
But, Moms did you know that even we use these cleaning agents, germs and bacterias could still survive? Yes. That is because the normal cleaning tools and practices are not effective to prevent germs.
It is BETTER to use disinfectants and products with ANTI-BACTERIAL properties because it really helps fight germs and bacterias and reduce the risk of infection by 99.9%.
Mr. Clint Navales, P&G Country Communications Leader, introduced P&G’s Antibac line cleaning system at the P&G Germ Academy. These products are Safeguard soap; Safeguard Anti-bacterial Handwash; Safeguard Body Wash; Joy Antibac Dishwashing Liquid; Ariel Antibac Detergent; Downy Antibac Fabric Softener
P&G provides solutions and has a strong line-up of antibacterial products to help maintaining germ-protection.
P&G also shares a few helpful tips that moms can observe in keeping the cleanliness inside their homes:
- Always prioritize maintaining good hygiene by taking a bath and washing hands, regularly changing clean clothes and using clean towels.
- Conduct regular cleaning of kitchen sinks to avoid accumulation of leftovers and residue build-up, which can serve as a breeding ground for germs. Also make sure that you clean the microwave, pans, utensils, and other kitchen items even though some of them are not being used regularly.
- Inside the bathroom, see to it that the cleaning products that you use for your skin are still good to use and not expired. Also make sure that you clean the bathroom sink, floor, walls, faucets, and other surfaces.
- Make sure that you clean your refrigerator regularly to avoid accumulation of germ build-up.
- Regularly disinfect the phone receiver as it accumulates the highest number of bacteria that transmits disease-causing germs.
Germs and bacteria are our enemy for health, they are always there to attack us but thanks to the antibacterial products. I always make sure I have those products in my house.
Some interesting info about where germs live. Ah, mas clean pa pala sa rest room kaysa sa kitchen.
It’s definitely important to maintain good hygiene for yourself and cleanliness in the household as germs can really accumulate especially on items we use frequently.
Tip #4 actually makes a lot of sense. I seldom clean my fridge because I always thought that since it’s always cold, germ and bacteria growth will be limited. thanks for this
When a person sneezes or coughs in front of me or wherever near me, even if they cover their mouth with a handkerchief or with their hands, I still tend to shy away — I don’t breathe until about 30 seconds — when the germs turn to somewhere else or lost into thin air.
I agree that cleanliness is top most important at home so as to always keep our family safe and healthy. I also make sure I use trusted brands when it comes to cleaning.
I have heard a news report last night about home cleanliness. Your post comes first I think. P&G products really have something to offer in maintaining the cleanliness.
I have once read that there are more germs on a computer keyboard than on a toilet bowl. (I better stop typing now.lol)
Geez I never realized that my cellphone is the dirtiest until I read your post. Thanks for sharing.
I also read about this, and was surprised that cellphones and computer keyboards are some of the most dirtiest things in the house. After that, I just started cleaning. I guess, I became a neat-freak after reading that article.
I agree that these are the dirties parts of the house! I can remember an article I read some months ago that feature pictures of magnified bacteria and fungi living in simple items at home. Creepy! Thanks for your tips. Makes me want to run to the store and buy disinfectant now. 🙂
Kids should practice this one more importantly.
ewww I didn’t know that the celphone is one of the dirtiest items inside the house. We are using Safeguard, because it’s the soap that our Doctor recommends for us to use.
Our hands transmit those germs from one item to another so it is really important to wash our hands frequently. I like P&G’s soap but it sometimes dries my hands. XD
I think doorknobs is a place where germs usually resides the more. Great tips though.
What about the toothbrushes? 🙂 I replace them every three months but I still put microwave them a few times to be sure. 🙂