Most people consider cleaning a tedious chore that you just want to get over with in the shortest time possible. However, with a bit of research, you’re likely to discover some interesting details about it that you probably haven’t heard of before, and these details can easily help you improve your routine and make it more efficient.
Reputable cleaning companies such as NW Maids in Seattle have what it takes to give your home the treatment it deserves, so you don’t need to worry about the efficiency of your routine. However, having at hand pieces of information that are both helpful and interesting is always useful. Keep reading to discover some surprising facts about cleaning.
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What are some surprising cleaning facts?
If for you tackling house chores is all about getting those rubber gloves on and spraying disinfectants, the following 7 facts can give you a new perception of cleaning:
There’s nothing hygienic about rubber gloves
Yes, rubber gloves are there to protect your skin from germs, harsh chemicals, and dirt. However, the environment on their inside is warm and moist, which makes them a perfect breeding ground for germs and bacteria. Therefore, it’s essential that you keep them clean using a liquid detergent and ensure the inside is completely dried before you put them on.
The kitchen makes one of the top dirtiest parts of your home
There are different surfaces and objects in your kitchen zone that accumulate dust, dirt, grease, and food particles while you’re preparing your meals. This is why they need thorough disinfection in order to prevent growth of germs and harmful bacteria. These objects and surface include:
- Cutting board
- Sponges
- Countertops
- Sink
- Coffee maker
- Dishwasher
- Refrigerator
The life of germs is longer than you think
You may believe germs survive for short periods of time, or may have not given it a thought at all. However, being aware of their life expectancy can be practical. In environments that are particularly moisty, such as kitchens and bathrooms, they can live up to 3 days. In dry environments, however, their life shortens to a couple of hours.
However, there are certain types of bacteria, including Salmonella, which can survive a minimum of 24 hours on a dry surface. This is why ensuring that you disinfect your surfaces, especially those in high-traffic zones, on a regular basis.
Germ explosion in your bathroom
Many people aren’t aware of the fact that when they flush their toilets, bacteria and germs find their way to a lot of surfaces around the bathroom by hitching a ride in the tiny water droplets that spray into the air. They even reach your toothbrushes and soaps. The only way you can prevent this from happening is to first close the toilet lid, and only then flush.
Burning those calories while cleaning
Research has shown that if you do the regular house chores for 2 hours, you lose around 200 calories. Of course, different types of activities burn different numbers of calories. Scrubbing your bathroom for 15 minutes helps you burn 90 calories, while mopping for an hour burns about 153 calories.
Dirt track spreads over 3 to 25 feet from the doorway
Once you enter the doorway, you leave approximately 30% of dust and dirt in the first 3 feet. The rest of the dirt spreads over the following 22 feet, resulting in a total of 25 feet of dirt into your home. Unfortunately, you can’t always spot these traces since there are different types, textures, and consistencies of soil.
Disinfectants take time
When you spray your disinfectant onto a surface, it needs at least 30 to 60 seconds to work and reach maximum effectiveness. You should always check the product label and see exactly how long you should let it sit.