Do Germs Haunt You?
Do you ever imagine the germs that linger around your home? What about at your place of work?
Did you know the average keyboard, chair and computer mouse harbor some 21,000 germs per square inch; your average desk is home to 10 million bacteria. For context, that's 400 times more germs than the amount found on a standard toilet seat.
To fight germs in the workplace, make it a habit to sanitize your workspace with an antimicrobial disinfectant. Keep it plainly visible so you're reminded to use it. Instead of eating at your desk, enjoy your lunch or snack elsewhere. Above all, don't come into work if you're sick, you'll only place your colleagues at risk for contracting your bug.
But, after your work day, you come home to a nice, clean, sanitary home right? Maybe not. As bad as your workspace may be, your home may be worse. In a recent home study conducted by the Hygiene Council, researchers visited 35 U.S. homes, swabbing for bacteria in 32 locations in each home. Here are some results.
Toilet bowl: 3.2 million bacteria/square inch
Kitchen drain: 567,845 bacteria/square inch
Sponge or counter-wiping cloth: 134,630 bacteria/square inch
Bathtub, near drain: 119,468 bacteria/square inch
Kitchen sink, near drain: 17,964 bacteria/square inch
Kitchen floor, in front of sink: 830 bacteria/square inch
Toilet floor, in front of toilet: 764 bacteria/square inch
Kitchen countertop: 488 bacteria/square inch
Bathroom countertop: 452 bacteria/square inch
The reality is, it is impossible to have a completely sterile environment all the time. Germs and bacteria are a part of our lives. The question is, how do we reduce our risk of sickness and infection when we live among bacteria and germs? We see so many products and advertisements for new cleaners and better antibacterial and antimicrobial products.
First off, antibacterial products will only kill bacteria, so this term specifically applies to a cleaning product that only kills bacteria.
Antimicrobial is a descriptive term that applies to cleaners that kill or inhibit viruses and mold, in addition to bacteria.
The trick is finding a product that works with any surface and space. And the goal is to find something that doesn’t just kill but that protects and prevents. With long lasting protection you don’t have to think about germs taking over your home or office, and you don’t have to spend all your time cleaning everything you and your family touches, every minute of the day!
There is research available to help you make the best decision on what antimicrobial product will work for your family. Do your research and protect the ones you love.