Germ Hot Spots in Your Bathroom: The bathroom is one of the most critical places at home when it comes to hygiene. It requires regular cleaning and disinfection. But within that space there are also main hotspots where germs thrive. You need to know them so you can tackle them appropriately.
Under the Toilet Seat
It is only logical that the toilet bowl is not the cleanest place at home (or anywhere for that matter), but under the toilet seat is the real germ breeding nest. A lot of dirt accumulates there from daily use and it needs to be regularly cleaned and disinfected. Furthermore, when you flush droplets of water stick to the seat and the cover. Those droplets contain crazy amounts of bacteria and require your attention.
The Toilet Brush Holder
Another quite icky place is the toilet brush holder. You probably choose not to look at what happens inside, because, let’s face it, it’s gross, but you must not ignore it when cleaning the bathroom. It is possible that the holder contains some faecal residue and water, which makes it a dangerous germ hotspot. A good disinfectant tactic is to add a few drops of tea tree essential oil to the holder to deodorise it and neutralise breeding bacteria.
The Shower Curtain
Fungi love warm and damp places. The shower curtain is an ideal surface for the development of mould and mildew in the bathroom. To avoid that scenario, always put the exhaust fan on, or leave the bathroom window/door open for at least 30 minutes after you are done showering.
The Shower Head
Here’s a shocking fact - your showerhead may contain bacteria called mycobacterium avium. This microbe can be dangerous to people with a compromised immune system and lead to serious respiratory issues. Again, good ventilation in the bathroom is essential, but not enough in this case. Make sure you descale the showerhead and disinfect it at least once a week.
The Bath Matts
Bath matts are another germ hotspot. Apart from the high humidity they absorb, they are right under your feet. When you enter the bath or shower cabin, you step on the matt and transfer whatever microbes were living on your feet. Then that gets mixed with warm water and provides the winning formula for bacterial colony growth. If not dried and cleaned regularly, bath matts are usually the first to grow mould and develop an unpleasant smell.
The Toothbrush Holders
The toothbrush itself hosts millions of bacteria that were previously living in your mouth or floating in the air. The holder, however, is not much better. Once you finish brushing your teeth and place the brush in its holder, the remaining water droplets travel down and reach the holder. Then they stay there and multiply. This can cause the development of bad smells, mould and gunk. Once more, tea tree oil can be a sustainable solution. A few drops should provide essential disinfection and protection. Peppermint or citrus oil can bring a refreshing scent.
