The bathroom can easily become the dirtiest and most dangerous room in your house if not cleaned and taken care of properly. The bacteria, dirt and moisture that collect in the bathroom can be prevented from becoming a health hazard fairly easily though. A clean bathroom is essential to maintaining indoor environmental quality in a new house. A contaminated bathroom is not only a health hazard to those who use it, but it can become a healthy house hazard since family members share bathrooms and then go on to other areas in the house. The bacteria, dirt and germs can easily spread from the bathroom to the entire house. One of the easiest and most important ways to keep the bathroom clean is to wash your hands properly every time after using the toilet.
5 Steps for Effective Hand-Washing
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Remove all rings and jewelry that can trap dirt and germs before washing hands.
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Wet hands under faucet.
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Water alone will not remove dirt and bacteria. A teaspoon of liquid soap (more sanitary than bar soap, but not a health necessity) or a generous portion of bar soap is needed. Work soap into a lather for 15 to 20 seconds. If bar soap is used in your bathroom make sure it is stored in a dish with adequate drainage. The water that sits on the bottom of a soap dish can become a “bacterial soup”.
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Rinse soap off pointing fingers downward in sink.
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Avoid direct contact with possibly contaminated surfaces (toilet flushes, sink/faucet handles and doorknobs) after hands have been rinsed. This prevents recontamination from any germs that may be on these surfaces.
Other things can be done to maintain a clean and healthy bathroom as well. Below are some tips to do this:
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Bathrooms need to be comprehensively cleaned on a weekly basis. This includes disinfecting the toilet, shower and sink |
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Hand towels in bathrooms should be changed at least once a week, two or three times is preferable though |
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The toilet will always become contaminated with germs, but regular cleaning of the seat, rim, lid, bowl and especially the flush handle should be done |
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The door handle and bolt or locking device handle should be cleaned and disinfected to limit risk of spreading infections |
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Close the lid of the toilet before flushing to help prevent germs from being ejected onto nearby surfaces |
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Since bacteria breed in moist environments, keep the bathroom ventilated and dry to reduce the possibility of bacterial multiplication. Use toilet paper or paper towels to wipe up accidental spills and drips |
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Wash hands properly every time after using the toilet |
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Soak clogged showerheads overnight in vinegar or other commercial product for build-up. This will remove the build-up clogging the shower head and get rid of any dirt and germs that are living off the dirt in the shower head |
Moisture Control
Fire Safety
Bacteria/Pathogens
Allergens
Ventilation
Chemicals