It’s a universally acknowledged fact that a clean home is an attractive home - but isn’t it also true that a clean home is a healthy home? From allergens - like dust and mold - to bacteria that hides in plain sight, your home is full of unwanted visitors that may harm the health of you and your family.
Regular cleaning will help keep those germs and other threats at bay, but the effectiveness all depends on how often you clean as well as how you clean (i.e. the products and techniques you use).
How Frequently You Clean
Depending on the room or surface, the standard for how often you clean something may vary. Bathrooms (including your toilet and countertops), for instance, should be wiped down on a weekly basis, since they are common breeding grounds for bacteria such as E.coli. Bathroom sinks, however, should be cleaned on a daily basis due to the bacteria that comes off your skin whenever you wash your hands (same goes for kitchen sinks too).
There are also some high-touch surfaces that should be cleaned on a daily basis. These include light switches, doorknobs, handles, and even personal items like cell phones or computer keyboards. Think about it - how often do you open the refrigerator, flush the toilet, turn on the lights, or pick up your phone on a daily basis? If we had to guess, probably a lot. Consistently wiping down those surfaces could significantly reduce the spread of germs in your household.
As far as allergens go, it’s important to vacuum rugs and carpets at least once a week, along with dusting regularly and washing sheets on a weekly basis. Dust, mold, pet hair, and even dead skin (gross) can collect on surfaces and trigger allergies or breathing problems for your family. You should also be changing your air filters periodically, depending on the type of filter and your home.
The Way You Clean
Just as important as the frequency of cleaning is the effectiveness of the cleaning. If you don’t clean thoroughly and with the best products, then it doesn’t really matter how often you clean. We have a few recommendations for ways to clean with your health in mind:
- Replace your rags regularly, and use different ones for different areas and surfaces. For instance, don’t use the same rag to clean your toilet and your bathroom sink. Additionally, if you use a rag to wipe down a kitchen surface where raw meat was handled, make sure to replace it immediately.
- When washing towels, sheets, rugs, or curtains, wash them in hot water unless otherwise noted by the manufacturer. Hot water will effectively kill most bacteria on the fabrics and works better with laundry detergent - this is also true for washing dishes.
- Clean from top to bottom. When you’re any room in its entirety, it is beneficial to start from the highest surface and work your way down. For example, make sure to dust your kitchen cabinets before wiping down the countertops, and wipe down the countertops before sweeping the floor. This strategy prevents excess dust, debris, liquids, etc. from landing on surfaces you’ve already cleaned.
- After you’ve thoroughly sprayed down a surface with your cleaner, let the solution sit for 15-20 seconds before wiping. This allows the cleaning product to penetrate heavy stains and messes, and will result in a more thorough clean.
- And finally: choose the right cleaning products. Bacteria and allergens are obvious detriments to your health, but not everyone knows that some of the products meant to get rid of those threats can also be damaging to your family. Many big brand cleaning products (everything from window cleaners to toilet cleaners) have ingredients lists that include dangerous chemicals like bleach, ammonia, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are gases emitted by a wide variety of products. These chemicals can cause short-term health problems, such as irritation in the throat, nose, or eyes as well as nausea, headaches, and dizziness; however, prolonged exposure can also lead to more serious concerns, including cancer, respiratory issues, and damage to the central nervous system. For the sake of your family’s health, it is crucial to choose a cleaning product made from safe ingredients.
- DAZZ cleaning products are formulated with six simple ingredients, all of which are either plant- or mineral-based. Our ingredients were specifically chosen because they are all-natural and safe for adults, children, and pets alike, without sacrificing effectiveness. In tests conducted by the TURI lab at the University of Massachusetts, all three of the DAZZ cleaning products outperformed their leading competitors in the industry. Toxic chemicals are not necessary for effective cleaning, and they certainly won’t improve your health in the long run.
If you're interested in transitioning to an eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaner for your home, check out our DAZZ products.