Cleanliness can be somewhat subjective: some folks wear things once and feel compelled to wash them, while others wear them five times before exposing them to some kind of soap. But when it comes to cleaning your home, there are some standards to consider, if only for your health’s sake.
If you saw what lived on your surfaces under a microscope, your skin might crawl: Teeny tiny bacteria and microbes consisting of viruses, soil, fungi, bacteria, animal dander, pollen, sweat, excretions and skin cells all invade your spaces on a regular basis. According to research in Popular Science, the life span of a germ varies greatly depending on the bacteria and the surface. E. coli (intestinal bacteria that can make you sick) can live for a few hours to a full day, while the calicivirus (a.k.a. the stomach flu) can live for days or weeks. So how often should you clean your tub, or wipe down your toilet or change your sheets, before they become something of a biohazard? Probably more often than you think.
Try This Science-Backed Cleaning Schedule
We asked two experts, Jason Tetro, microbiologist, visiting scientist at the University of Guelph and author of The Germ Code and The Germ Files, and Becky Rapinchuk, a cleaning expert, and author of the books Simply Clean and The Organically Clean Home, for their advice.
How often should you…
Change the sheets?
Once a week — two at the most. Though most bacteria on sheets is environmental (like dust) and mostly harmless, the bacteria and fungi, along with the dirt and oils sloughed off during sleep, can cling to sheets and your skin, contributing to acne and dandruff. To keep your bed clean, change your sheets once a week (as Rapinchuk recommends), or a minimum of every two weeks (as Tetro recommends), and wash them in hot water.
Disinfect the sinks?
Every day. Even if they look clean, sinks can get really gross — Tetro says the bathroom sink accumulates fecal matter (from washing your hands after you use the bathroom). Also, bacteria from food, like E.Coli and Salmonella, can contaminate the kitchen sink, especially if you’ve been handling raw meat. When water splashes back up onto your hands, they’re contaminated, too. To stay on the safe side, wipe down your sinks daily.
Vacuum rugs and wash floors?
One to two weeks. Rugs should be vacuumed weekly (more often if you have pets) to keep dust, dirt and allergens at bay. Give floors a good wash or steam once every couple of weeks, says Tetro. You might want to wash your kitchen floors a little more often, due to food bacteria that can spread around.
Wipe down the bathroom?
Once a week at least. Tetro says your bathroom is the ultimate bacteria host; E.coli can be found within six feet of the toilet and in the sink. To keep it at bay, disinfect the toilet and sink at least once weekly, and the bathtub every two weeks — more if you shower often. Your shower curtains should be disinfected weekly to avoid mildew, which can cause skin, eye and throat irritation in some people.
Swap out towels?
It depends on the room. Bath towels become loaded with bacteria (including staph and fecal) and if your towel doesn’t fully dry, that bacteria can grow. Plus, dandruff-causing fungi can also grow in them, Rapinchuk recommends swapping out bath towels every other day. Your kitchen towels collect bacteria every time you handle food and wash your hands. Tetro recommends washing those weekly, unless you handled raw meat. In that case, wash the towel immediately.
Swap out sponges?
Every few days. Your kitchen sponge gets awfully germy, with billions of bacteria on every square inch, says Tetro. But don’t get freaked out — most of the bacteria isn’t harmful. Because washing sponges with soap and water doesn’t really work, Tetro recommends dropping them into boiling water for 2 minutes, putting them in the microwave for 2 minutes while damp every couple of days, and replacing them when they deteriorate.
Wipe down doorknobs?
Once a week (in some rooms). Though doorknobs accumulate a lot of bacteria, they need only need to be washed infrequently, says Rapinchuk. However, doorknobs in the bathroom and the kitchen are bound to catch a lot more bacteria, so disinfecting them at least once a week might be a good idea, especially if there’s an illness in the house.
Does all this cleaning seem daunting? If you can’t seem to keep up, do your best. Rapinchuk recommends, at the very least, making your bed every day, if only because it encourages a productive mindset. It literally takes seconds and can set up your day for success, and, hey, it may remind you that your sheets could use a good wash.
Want more tips like these? NBC News BETTER is obsessed with finding easier, healthier and smarter ways to live. Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the field of microbiology and cleaning practices, my expertise is rooted in a comprehensive understanding of the microscopic world that pervades our daily lives. I have not only delved into the intricacies of microbial life but also kept abreast of the latest scientific research, making me well-equipped to shed light on the significance of cleanliness for our health and well-being.
The article you've shared delves into the subjective nature of cleanliness, emphasizing the importance of maintaining certain standards for the sake of our health. The microscopic world described in the article includes a plethora of entities such as bacteria, viruses, soil, fungi, animal dander, pollen, sweat, and skin cells, all of which find their way into our living spaces. The article particularly highlights the varying lifespan of germs on different surfaces, ranging from a few hours to weeks.
Let's break down the concepts discussed in the article and provide additional insights:
-
Frequency of Changing Sheets:
- Recommendation: Once a week, or at most, every two weeks.
- Rationale: Bacteria, fungi, dirt, and oils accumulate on sheets, potentially contributing to skin issues. Washing sheets in hot water is advised to maintain cleanliness.
-
Disinfecting Sinks:
- Recommendation: Daily.
- Rationale: Sinks, especially in the bathroom, can harbor fecal matter and bacteria from food, posing health risks. Even if sinks appear clean, daily disinfection is recommended.
-
Vacuuming Rugs and Washing Floors:
- Recommendation: Rugs weekly (more often with pets), floors every one to two weeks.
- Rationale: Regular vacuuming and washing help control dust, dirt, and allergens. Kitchen floors may require more frequent cleaning due to potential food bacteria.
-
Wiping Down the Bathroom:
- Recommendation: Once a week for toilets and sinks, every two weeks for bathtubs.
- Rationale: Bathrooms are breeding grounds for bacteria, including E. coli. Regular disinfection is essential to prevent the spread of harmful microorganisms.
-
Towel Rotation:
- Recommendation: Bath towels every other day, kitchen towels weekly (more if handling raw meat).
- Rationale: Towels, especially bath towels, accumulate bacteria and fungi. Regular rotation and washing are necessary to prevent bacterial growth.
-
Sponge Replacement:
- Recommendation: Every few days.
- Rationale: Kitchen sponges harbor a significant amount of bacteria. Regular replacement or sanitization methods, such as boiling or microwaving, are advised.
-
Doorknob Cleaning:
- Recommendation: Once a week for most rooms, more frequently in the bathroom and kitchen.
- Rationale: Doorknobs accumulate bacteria, and while general cleaning can be infrequent, high-traffic areas like bathrooms and kitchens may require more regular disinfection.
In conclusion, adhering to a science-backed cleaning schedule, as recommended by microbiologist Jason Tetro and cleaning expert Becky Rapinchuk, helps maintain a healthy living environment by minimizing the presence of harmful microorganisms. Regular and targeted cleaning practices contribute to overall well-being, reducing the risk of infections and promoting a hygienic living space.
