The Correlation Between Home Hygiene And Resident Health

  The term “hygiene” refers to the practice adopted by us for staying away from germs and infectious diseases. Home hygiene includes cleaning practices of each and every part of our home. Home hygiene has a direct relation to the residents’ health because if the home is unhygienic, it will spread diseases and germs will cultivate in every corner. Some important aspects of home hygiene include cleaning of bathrooms, kitchen, floors, garden, and living rooms. Besides this, taking care of pets with respect to hygiene, appropriate disposal of waste, hand washing, coughing, and sneezing are indirectly related to home hygiene. Apart from it, taking measures for people who are infected, pregnant ladies or persons who are just discharged from hospital treatment also come under the home hygiene umbrella. According to research, 31% of the food-related infections occur from home and some also result in death. Some common infections like rotavirus, influenza and intestinal infections are treatable by antibiotics but it is better to keep optimum measures for the hygiene of the home so that these infections may not spread in the first place. A hygienic home is a haven of a healthy life for its residents. It is not limited to the physical health of the residents but mental health as well. A hygienic and organized home is a stress-reliever in comparison to the home that is full of dust and messy at every step. However, maintaining a hygienic home requires us to take proper steps for the removal of harmful microbes. These harmful microbes can be easily present in our kitchen, washroom, living room, and in any part of our home.

• Kitchen

Our kitchen is the main area of our home. It is a place where we prepare food for our consumption. If this place is not clean, it will surely have a bad impact on our health. Food and water contamination can cause some serious illnesses. Research shows that a chicken contaminated with campylobacteria is really dangerous. Cleaning the surface with a kitchen towel will not remove the germs and if the same kitchen towel comes in contact with other utensils, the germs will spread. Thus, it is recommended to use a disinfectant in the kitchen so that germs are not allowed to thrive. Similarly, it is imperative to rinse the fruits and vegetables properly before use. Since they are bought from outside, they have high chances of carrying germs. The basin and dishwasher of the kitchen should be properly cleaned on a daily basis as these wet areas have high chances of cultivating germs. After cleaning, a towel should be used to make the surface dry. Bacteria like E.coli and salmonella are usually found in an unhygienic kitchen. It is therefore advisable to clean the kitchen counters with antiseptic solutions and sanitizers. Similarly, the cutting boards, meat, and other utensils should be properly rinsed before use. There should be no traces of food left in the kitchen, as they can attract cockroaches and other insects. Regular cleaning of stove, kitchen basin and oven is mandatory for maintaining a hygienic kitchen environment. Though kitchen cleaning requires a good time, however, if it is done on a regular basis it will not consume much time.

• Bathroom

The bathroom is the area that has high chances of having bacteria. The floor and bathroom surfaces can invite several parasites causing some serious health issues for the home residents. It is recommended to keep the bathroom clean and dry most of the time. The floor should be properly sanitized and hot water is ideal for its cleaning. Faeces, mucus, and vomits contain pathogens that can be easily spread if proper cleaning is not done. The sink, pot, walls, and floor of the washroom should be cleaned on a daily basis. The solution of faeces contains norovirus which can be spread easily if a person has not washed their hands properly. This person will spread the germs to everything that comes in contact. Thus, proper handwashing is advisable for both personal and home hygiene. The use of antibacterial soap and antiseptic solutions in the washroom can increase the hygiene levels which will protect the residents from bathroom-related germs and bacteria.

• Living room

Living rooms have their unique requirements for hygiene. If the curtains of the living room are full of dust, the residents can face allergy issues. Asthma attacks are likely to occur in dusty areas. If the corners of the living room have mold or debris, it can also cause health issues. Thus, it is recommended to take acute measures for maintaining hygiene in the living room. The curtains should be neat and clean. There are many carpet cleaning services companies that provide excellent service in home carpet cleaning. Similarly, vacuums should be used on a daily basis and the room should have proper ventilation.

• Floor

It is a misconception that clean-looking areas are actually hygienic. We cannot see the bacteria that are present on the floor. However, we can take measures to keep the floor hygienic even if it looks clean. The floor can easily transmit germs from one place to another because the residents walk on it. For health safety measures, we should use antiseptic liquids for cleaning the floors. Floors should be cleaned on a daily basis as daily cleaning reduces the chances of spreading germs. Home hygiene is not only important for the family but it is equally important for the pets and guests. We can cut down our health care spending by focusing on our home hygiene. It is important to buy some good cleaning equipment for our home and use the best detergents that perfectly kill bacteria. Home hygiene is not a one-day process. It requires a lot of time and dedication. Maintaining a clean bathroom, keeping a tidy kitchen, emptying trash bin regularly and cleaning the floor with the antiseptic solution are some of the important aspects of home hygiene. A hygienic home becomes a healthy place for its residents to live and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.