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Time Magazine
21-04-2025
- Health
- Time Magazine
5 Things You're Forgetting to Clean (But Really Should)
Eons ago, humans living in the wild were exposed to every germ nature could throw at them—mud, microbes, and whatever drifted around the communal waterhole. We've traded tree canopies for roofs, but the germs are still showing up, hiding in our household possessions. We often overlook the dirtiest items in our homes because grime is invisible (think bacteria) or accumulates too gradually for us to notice. Another factor: our brains tend to tune out the appearance of familiar, everyday objects, in a phenomenon called attentional blindness. This means we're least likely to scrutinize the things we touch the most, even as they become swamped by bacteria. Some argue that chronic immune conditions that plague modern humans stem in part from our tendency to avoid beneficial germs that would train the immune system to fight off pathogens. (This is called the hygiene hypothesis.) 'There's some truth to that,' says Kelly Reynolds, professor of environmental risk at the University of Arizona. 'But we do need to reduce risk and exposure to bad bacteria that can drive sickness,' she says, including colds and skin infections. Here, experts reveal which items in your house are harboring the most bacteria—and how to clean them. Toothbrush If you keep your toothbrush anywhere near your toilet, Michael Schmidt, professor of microbiology at the Medical University of South Carolina, has bad news: 'you may as well be swirling it in the toilet water,' he says. Toilets release a plume into the air when they're flushed. This plume of unmentionables—okay, fecal-matter-laced particles—typically rises and spreads about one foot in every direction. However, older toilets that are less energy-efficient are borderline volcanic, spewing the particles six feet in every direction, Reynolds says. If these microbes settle on your toothbrush, they can cause halitosis, Schmidt says—or as he puts it, 'breath that could literally peel paint from the walls.' Brushing with these microbes could also make you sick. 'The human race has evolved with these creatures, and we can mostly resist them,' but those who are immunocompromised are more vulnerable, Schmidt explains. Reynolds, though, notes that the more you're exposed to germs, the greater the chances of illness, even for people without vulnerabilities. Depending on the person, germ overload can cause fatigue, mild stomach upset, anxiety, or even neck aches, she says. 'Whether it affects your quality of life is really an individual thing.' Fortunately, it's easy to thwart the toilet's invasion of your toothbrush. Reynolds protects her toothbrush in a drawer. Or close the toilet lid before flushing; studies are mixed on this point, but some research suggests that it helps. 'It eliminates the seat up, seat down argument,' says Melissa Maker, creator of the YouTube channel Clean My Space. 'The rule is lid and seat down.' And always dry your toothbrush with a (clean) towel after using it. Reynolds does so before placing it in the drawer. This prevents bacteria. 'Drying is the great sterilizer,' Schmidt says. Water bottle The modern-day source of water for many people—their water bottle—may be just as germ-filled as our ancient ancestors' go-to watering hole. When samples of reusable water bottles were analyzed by a lab, they contained 14 times the bacteria of a dog bowl, at least according to research by a water filter company. Unless you take precautions, water is a breeding ground for germs, especially if it sits in your bottle for a while and bacteria are given time to multiply, Schmidt explains. Again, some simple habits can protect you. Fill up the bottle with clean water and a little soap, then shake and dump. Go full-on maraca with your shaking to disrupt the microbes clinging to the inner surfaces, Schmidt recommends. Maker points out that a long bottle brush can scrub bottles clean when used with unscented dish soap. However, there's a risk: being mistaken for a toilet bowl brush, even though it's in the kitchen. They're the same shape. Maker carefully labels her brush, water bottles only. 'I'm really paranoid about this thing,' she admits. Couch armrest Yes, we're talking about the living room. Despite the aforementioned plumes, the bathroom isn't necessarily the dirtiest place in the house. The kitchen is just as germ-laden, and, 'after picking up germs in the kitchen and bathrooms, people go straight to the couch…a hot spot for germs,' Reynolds explains. 'Mainly the armrests and remote controls—that's where your dirty hands are touching.' In 2010, several Tucson firefighters got sick and died of MRSA infections within days. Reynolds' research team investigated the source, looked everywhere, and finally found MRSA in the soft surface of the upholstered couch at the station house. You shouldn't use bleach on your couch, but you can use alcohol-based sanitizing sprays, Reynolds notes. Pleather couches can be wiped with disinfectants occasionally. Wash your hands on the way from the kitchen to the living room, and get those crumbs out of the cushions. It worked with the firefighters. 'We stopped the outbreak just by replacing their couches and teaching hygiene practices,' Reynolds says. Faucets Whatever you use to clean off dirt and germs, you need to clean, too. That applies to vacuum cleaners, sponges and, maybe especially, sink faucets. Faucets are hot spots for germs because, before turning them on, your hands are dirty, particularly during food preparation. 'When you turn them off, you're picking up organisms,' Schmidt says. He notes that while cooking chicken, for example, you could contaminate yourself with bacteria called Campylobacter, with two weeks of diarrhea in your near future. A couple of times per day, just wipe down the faucets with a paper towel and soap. Dishwasher The dishwasher is another cleaning instrument that won't automatically clean itself. 'It's a damp, dark environment ripe for all sorts of germs to grow and thrive and live their best lives,' Maker says. People often don't realize how much food debris falls from dishes. 'It collects at the bottom,' Maker says, jamming the filter. This could result in mold or persistently dirty dishes. 'If the filter is clogged because food particles aren't rinsing down, dishes will never get clean.' Scrape big food particles into the compost before loading the dishwasher, and use a dishwasher cleaning tablet every month or four times per year, depending on how frequently you use it, Maker suggests. Another food-related honorable mention is reusable grocery bags. Reynolds' colleagues found 97% of people had never washed them, and many were contaminated by bacteria, including E. coli, from foods like raw meats and produce. Launder them regularly. Reynolds thinks many people are overly concerned about cleanliness in public areas, then completely let their guard down in the home. The point isn't to drive yourself crazy with overzealous scrubbing, though. Just remember, cozy and familiar don't equal clean.
NBC News
04-02-2025
- Health
- NBC News
How to clean a humidifier and prevent it from growing mold
A good humidifier provides a range of health benefits, such as more moisturized skin, help fighting off allergens and even defense against dry lips and mouth, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If you use the appliance often, then knowing how to clean your humidifier and making sure it stays in good shape is especially important for your health. Cleaning the humidifier regularly will ensure that it doesn't grow mold and present health risks in the future. To find the best way to clean a humidifier and some tips for shopping for one, I spoke with cleaning experts for their guidance and product recommendations. Why do humidifiers need to be cleaned? Since the inside of a humidifier contains stagnant water of varying temperatures and little ventilation, it's susceptible to growing residue. 'The biggest issues with humidifiers are the build-up of a slimy film in the reservoir, potential bacteria and mold growth, and mineral build-up,' says Melissa Maker, author and founder of cleaning site Clean My Space. 'All of which can be pumped into the air you breathe.' Additionally, how you clean your humidifier may depend on the type, such as ultrasonic, steam, evaporative or impeller, which we explain more in our roundup of the best humidifiers. Plus, it's important to clean your humidifier so that you can actually benefit from using it, says Delah Gomasi, founder of Maid For You. 'One of the things that hinders its performance is scale (mineral deposit) buildup which clogs pretty much everything from the misting plate and water reservoir to the filter and crevices within the machine,' he says. 'Simply put, when scale buildup prevents misting, there is no humidification taking place.' How to clean a humidifier Unplug the humidifier and let it sit for a few minutes if it's warm to the touch. Pour out any water sitting in the tank and use a paper towel to wipe away any visible 'slime' or residue. Remove all detachable parts, such as the water tank. If you're cleaning an evaporative humidifier, this includes the filter inside. Soak a paper towel in warm soapy water and wring out the excess water. Wipe the inside of the water tank clean. Alternatively, use a sprayable dish soap, such as Dawn Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray, to lightly coat the inside of the tank. Use a moist paper towel to wipe it clean. Add equal parts white vinegar and water to the tank and let it sit for 30 minutes. This will help get rid of any odors or remaining residue. Pour out the mixture. Rinse the tank, let it dry completely and then add clean water when you're ready to use it again. Tips for cleaning different types of humidifiers Since there are humidifiers that create mists in different ways (such as cool-mist and warm mists) some of them have parts that need to be cleaned that others don't. Plus, some humidifiers require replacement filters. Evaporative humidifiers: These types of humidifiers have an internal filter, such as a wick filter (mesh-like filter that resembles a sponge). If your humidifier's filter is reusable and relatively new, you can clean it by soaking it in vinegar and water for 30 minutes. Then, use a nylon bristle brush to scrub off any residue. Let dry before replacing. If your humidifier has a wick filter, it's best to replace it with a new one, such as the Durabasics Premium Humidifier Filter, and buy multi-packs of them. Ultrasonic/impeller humidifiers: An ultrasonic humidifier, which doesn't have a filter, uses ultrasonic vibrations to release water into the air. Maker recommends focusing on descaling the inside, especially if you use hard unfiltered water with a lot of mineral deposits for your humidifier. The Durgol Universal Multipurpose Descaler can help remove any scaling in your humidifier. Steam vaporizers: This is a type of warm-mist humidifier that uses heat to create steam. Remove the water tank and use warm soapy water and/or a vinegar soak to clean it. Want more from NBC Select? Sign up Frequently Asked Questions How often should you clean a humidifier? 'A humidifier should be cleaned at least once a week if it's used regularly,' says Robin Murphy, president of cleaning company Maid Brigade. This helps prevent the buildup of bacteria, mold and minerals that can affect both the performance of the humidifier and the air quality in your home.' If you only use a humidifier every once in a while, such as when you're sick, then it's fine to clean it once a month, says Murphy. It's important, however, to empty out the tank after each use and allow the parts to dry before using it again. What happens if you don't clean your humidifier? As Murphy mentioned earlier, not cleaning a humidifier can lead to mold and bacteria growth. This is a byproduct of stagnant water and moisture inside of a container with little to no ventilation. You should really only have water in the humidifier if you're actively using it, otherwise keep it empty when it isn't on. Can you use bleach to clean a humidifier? While bleach does a good job of getting rid of bacteria and mold, Murphy doesn't recommend using bleach or bleach-based cleaning products to clean a humidifier, unless it's done with caution. This is because the residual smell can irritate the eyes and respiratory system, especially since the machine is releasing moisture into the air. If you do use bleach, use a small splash of it diluted with water and use the same method with white vinegar, rinsing thoroughly after. Meet our experts At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest. Why trust NBC Select? I'm a commerce editor at NBC Select, where I regularly cover cleaning topics and appliances. I've written about the best dishwasher detergents, steam mops, and carpet cleaners. I've also written guides on how to clean grout, garbage disposals and coffee makers. I spoke with two cleaning experts for their guidance to write this story.
